Update - Do I dare ask?

Lynn Smith said:

hoping your test are good

hoping your tests are good. I beleive it could be  what you eat being a vegetarian.I am too.I got bronchitis that lasted quite sometime.I ate but got run down.Ended up being low on B12, folic acid and vitmain D.I take vitamins now orally but was getting IV's with vitamins.That was a hassle going in every week and getting a IV. 

This reminds me I need some blood work.I think my last blood test was November.I need updated.

Age(66)  can make a difference in our health.We can become anemic and low on other vitamins the older we get. I think this is alot of my problem too.

Thoughts and Prayers to you.

Lynn Smith

You could be right (the internist did say to me today that diet could have something to do with it).  My endoscopy came back clean but the prep wasn't "sufficient" for a definitive result on my colonoscopy so I have to go for another one in about 2 weeks (omg, there isn't much dignity in all of this!).  So, while he didn't see anything glaring, he needs to take another look.  Then, he tells me if he can't find anything he will want me to swallow a little camera (cool!) so that they can see the entire intestine (apparently they can only see a few feet of it with the colonoscopy/endoscopy).  I am 43 now so I didn't think age related issues had gotten to me quite yet, but nevertheless, I am an attorney and rarely work less than 12 hour days and so all of that could be a contributing factor.  In any case, I wait until the next test.  Sigh - naturally I was hoping for an answer today and certainly hoping not to have to repeat the test, but at least anything glaring has been eliminated.  So, I'll DEFINITELY take that.  Am I rambling?  I think that I am rambling.  Sorry!

A big hug and thanks to all of you.  Your support truly does mean a lot.

Best,

Clementine

TraciInLA said:

So you failed your colonoscopy? :-)

The prep was not "sufficient"?  Oh my goodness, Clementine -- isn't that just a lovely blow to your dignity!  "Gee I'm  so sorry, my bowels and I will try to do better next time."

I'm VERY glad to hear they've been able to rule out the really serious stuff, and expect to hear nothing but good news (or at least "sufficient" news ) after your next test!

Traci

Seriously, my guts really have to get their acts together!  Well they'll be sorry for slacking off after I complete the 2 day prep (or will I be the one who is sorry?).

Thanks, Traci - you always give me a good laugh!

Clementine

mom62 said:

Doctor

Hi Clementine,

Sorry to hear you have to go back for the colonoscopy, that is horrible.  Just a question though, why does your doctor think you are bleeding internally, because you are anemic?  Are you Italian by chance?  I know there is a type of anemia that Italians can carry in their genes.  Maybe it is an ulcer, are they going to do a CT scan?  Just some questions to think about, sorry to make your brain thiink of these things.  I just did not know how low your count was.  I had a real problem when I had chemo.   I ended up having blood transfusions.  Here is hoping everything is fine with you!  Saying a prayer.

 

Terry

Thank you for your message!  I finished chemo about 2 1/2 years ago and even so my numbers are quite low.  My hemoglobin is 10.4 (normal is 12-15.5) and ferritin is 8 (normal is 18-160) and for this reason my doctor thinks that I am bleeding internally.  I am 100% Italian and I'll mention that to him the next time I see him, thank you!  Yes, they are looking for a possible ulcer.  If my second colonoscopy doesn't show anything they may want me to swallow a little camera so that they can see it travel through my entire GI track and see if it turns up anything.  Other than that, I guess it is just possible that after chemo my numbers never fully rebounded and the daily aspirin, vegetarianism, and other factors have all just added up to anemia.  I am hoping for that outcome. 

Thanks again, Terry.

Best,

Clementine