Bowel problems
Well after talking to my oncologist about my continuing constipation, I finally convinced him that I should see a gastroenterologist to be on the safe side and also for help to resolve some of my problem. So I saw one and he said we should do a colonoscopy. I had one last Friday, but it was incomplete. The doctor could only examine a small portion as the opening was two narrow and he was afraid that he could cause a major problem. I will have a virtual colonoscopy later this month. I know there are some of you who have had bowel problems and wondered if anyone had a similar problem and what was done if there is no evidence of cancer or if there is evidence.
Comments
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Hope it gets better soon!
Hi Soup 52,
Radiation and chemo sure are hard on gastro! I was treated for an aggressive uterine cancer. For me, I think it took about 2 years to get back to "normal". I had chemo and radiation simultaneously, so I don't know which affected my bowels. I had colonoscopies (all normal) to rule out anything, and I recommend going to a cancer-specific place (for me it was Seattle Cancer Care Alliance), they deal very effectively with all kinds of conditions, including bowels that are challenging for colonoscopies.
Wishing you the very best,
Susan
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Bowel Problems
I'm having surgery tomorrow for masses on both sides of my ascending colon. We don't know yet if it's a peritoneal mets from my UPSC or something else, like a GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) that grows on the ouside of the colon. I may have to have a chunk of colon taken out if the masses have adhered to it. My colonoscopy showed those masses pressing into the colon. Otherwise, it was normal inside.
I've felt myself going downhill fast after the colonoscopy, losing weight, etc. I felt fine before it even though I had a positive hemoccult and that's why I had the colonoscopy.
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Oh Pinky I'm so sorry. I'm
Oh Pinky I'm so sorry. I'm praying that it won't be cancer! I'll be watching for your update when you are up to writing. My virtual colonoscopy wound be until April 24 And I would guess I won't hear too much for probably a week or so.
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Lingering Constipation, too.
I'm in the same boat. Never had an issue with diarrhea, even during radiation, like others have had. Radiologist said no colonoscopy till this fall at the earliest. It's not so bad as long as I stay really vigilant with my water drinking and don't delay if I feel the slightest urge and just take the time it takes, however long, for something to happen. It makes it really difficult to leave the house or travel anywhere. I'm trying to be patient with this, but wonder if this is just going to be my new norm along with the neuropathy. I can live with them, but it's not without difficulty. My primary suggested more fiber by taking Metamucil, but that just made things worse till I stopped taking it. I suspect the chemo drugs did a real number on the instestinal nerves that respond to bulking agents to move things along and its just going to take more time to let them recover if they ever will. My sympathies No Time, it's not fun.
Pinky, I sure hope that everyone gets surprised and you won't need to to lose any of your colon to deal with the masses pressing on it. It's hopeful that everything was normal on the inside, but I guess one always has to be mentally prepared for the worse case scenarios. Best wishes and will be thinking of you.
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I just got the results of my
I just got the results of my virtual colonoscop. Good news! No polyps and just some diverticulosis which I already knew I have had for several years. I did get some advice on foods and despite the fact that I thought I was drinking enough he said I should be drinking more than I have. I know that this appears to be my new normal, but nevertheless I'm glad that I had this done just to be sure. I put up a new picture with my current hair, but once again it's sideways?! I don't know why this is happening. I posted something in the problem area. Oh well. I'm happy anyway.
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Yay! So happy to hear yourSoup52 said:I just got the results of my
I just got the results of my virtual colonoscop. Good news! No polyps and just some diverticulosis which I already knew I have had for several years. I did get some advice on foods and despite the fact that I thought I was drinking enough he said I should be drinking more than I have. I know that this appears to be my new normal, but nevertheless I'm glad that I had this done just to be sure. I put up a new picture with my current hair, but once again it's sideways?! I don't know why this is happening. I posted something in the problem area. Oh well. I'm happy anyway.
Yay! So happy to hear your wonderful news! Love the new Picture. :-)
Love and Hugs,
Cindi
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Love the current hair, and ISoup52 said:I just got the results of my
I just got the results of my virtual colonoscop. Good news! No polyps and just some diverticulosis which I already knew I have had for several years. I did get some advice on foods and despite the fact that I thought I was drinking enough he said I should be drinking more than I have. I know that this appears to be my new normal, but nevertheless I'm glad that I had this done just to be sure. I put up a new picture with my current hair, but once again it's sideways?! I don't know why this is happening. I posted something in the problem area. Oh well. I'm happy anyway.
Love the current hair, and I'm glad we can really see your face now. Picture looks upright to me, thanks for posting!
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Best Wishespinky104 said:Bowel Problems
I'm having surgery tomorrow for masses on both sides of my ascending colon. We don't know yet if it's a peritoneal mets from my UPSC or something else, like a GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) that grows on the ouside of the colon. I may have to have a chunk of colon taken out if the masses have adhered to it. My colonoscopy showed those masses pressing into the colon. Otherwise, it was normal inside.
I've felt myself going downhill fast after the colonoscopy, losing weight, etc. I felt fine before it even though I had a positive hemoccult and that's why I had the colonoscopy.
Pinky, best wishes in your surgery !! We'll be thinking of you and envisioning the best. Please do post when you're feeling up to it. Hugs, B
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Congratulations on the goodSoup52 said:I just got the results of my
I just got the results of my virtual colonoscop. Good news! No polyps and just some diverticulosis which I already knew I have had for several years. I did get some advice on foods and despite the fact that I thought I was drinking enough he said I should be drinking more than I have. I know that this appears to be my new normal, but nevertheless I'm glad that I had this done just to be sure. I put up a new picture with my current hair, but once again it's sideways?! I don't know why this is happening. I posted something in the problem area. Oh well. I'm happy anyway.
Congratulations on the good results, Soup. Thanks for keeping us updates and love the new picture!
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Soup - I had (and continue to
Soup - I had (and continue to have) gastro issues including periods trapped gas that rumbles around and isn't expelled, extreme constipation, and occassional diarreha. I had a colonoscopy done in Dec and had two very large pre-cancerous removed. I also had a CT done and no blockages of any type were found. I was also test for Cdiff due to the bouts of diarreha - it too was negative. The gastro I saw said to start a probotic and insisted that Flora Stor is the only probotic that has been clincially proven to work when I told him I had taken one that was prescribed by my interventional medicine doctor during radiation and I would try to get it again. I bought the Flora Stor and took a full bottle (30 days) - it did help to make many of my issues disappear or at least become much more tolerable. I am taking the Flora Stor again now as I recently had surgery and of course a big dose of antibotics so many of my issues have returned. I will say I do notice a difference when taking it. Maybe it is worth trying????
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Similar issues
Sorry to hear of your problems. But I know what you are going through. I have been having issues with my bowels also. I call it achy bowels. I have seen my gyne/onc and he says there's nothing concerning on his end. I now have pancreatitis. In the past two months, I have had a colonoscopy and an EUS. I just recently (4 weeks ago) had my gallbladder out because of the pancreatitis. I am STILL having issues. I keep complaining of pain and achyness. It is now feeling like menstral crampy pains. I have tons of inflammation because of all my surgeries and endometriosis. I don't feel well but I feel I keep getting the run around. I finally will see my gyne/onc in June, well end of June and at that time will also have a CT scan. I do have a soft tissue mass and I think because of all the scarring it is acting up as I am now getting some pain down my left leg. Ugh!!! I also had my ureter reimplanted due to the mass and a blockage from HDR brachytherapy. (left side also).
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TimexKaleena said:Similar issues
Sorry to hear of your problems. But I know what you are going through. I have been having issues with my bowels also. I call it achy bowels. I have seen my gyne/onc and he says there's nothing concerning on his end. I now have pancreatitis. In the past two months, I have had a colonoscopy and an EUS. I just recently (4 weeks ago) had my gallbladder out because of the pancreatitis. I am STILL having issues. I keep complaining of pain and achyness. It is now feeling like menstral crampy pains. I have tons of inflammation because of all my surgeries and endometriosis. I don't feel well but I feel I keep getting the run around. I finally will see my gyne/onc in June, well end of June and at that time will also have a CT scan. I do have a soft tissue mass and I think because of all the scarring it is acting up as I am now getting some pain down my left leg. Ugh!!! I also had my ureter reimplanted due to the mass and a blockage from HDR brachytherapy. (left side also).
Oh my! Pancreatitis is NO fun! I'm reminded of the Timex jingle from of our childhood: "takes a liking and keeps on ticking". Our group is, indeed, the Timex gang. Here's to hoping you feel better soon. B
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I had those menstrualKaleena said:Similar issues
Sorry to hear of your problems. But I know what you are going through. I have been having issues with my bowels also. I call it achy bowels. I have seen my gyne/onc and he says there's nothing concerning on his end. I now have pancreatitis. In the past two months, I have had a colonoscopy and an EUS. I just recently (4 weeks ago) had my gallbladder out because of the pancreatitis. I am STILL having issues. I keep complaining of pain and achyness. It is now feeling like menstral crampy pains. I have tons of inflammation because of all my surgeries and endometriosis. I don't feel well but I feel I keep getting the run around. I finally will see my gyne/onc in June, well end of June and at that time will also have a CT scan. I do have a soft tissue mass and I think because of all the scarring it is acting up as I am now getting some pain down my left leg. Ugh!!! I also had my ureter reimplanted due to the mass and a blockage from HDR brachytherapy. (left side also).
I had those menstrual cramping pains too, after the change and before cancer. Turned out to be UTI and a kidney stone that was stuck.
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