Colonoscopy
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello, It seems to be one thing after another with me lately.
I was hospitalised in Sept. for an abscess and fluid on my left lung and lost 11 kilos, I am still losing weight so my doctor sent me for a blood test plus stool test which showed blood in the stools.
I had a colonoscopy February this year and everything was fine, is it possible to get bowel cancer in such a short time?
?Could it be IBS or celiac disease?
I'm 59 years old and a blood test shows I could be celiac but I'm scared it is the other especially with this huge weight loss, I look terrible, skin is hanging off my arms and my face is gaunt.
I hope I'm writing this in the right section.
0 likes, 6 replies
dimmy sue1155
Posted
I have had bowel cancer twice (the second was a new case and not a recurrence of the first cancer) ...my cancers were 5 years apart. I was told by my consultant that 90% of bowel cancer tumours develop from polyp that turn cancerous after quite a few years. Therefore I would think it extremely unlikely that a bowel cancer tumour would develop inside you in such a short time since your colonoscopy. I suppose it is always possible they missed it in your first colonoscopy but again this is very unlikely. My guess is your symptoms are something other than bowel cancer. Are you experiencing tiredness or black tarry stools etc. Try not to worry especially at this time of year although I appreciate this is difficult...good luck ..regards
sue1155 dimmy
Posted
Hi Dimmy,
Thanks so much for your reply. Firstly, glad to see you are doing well again.
I am very tired and sleeping over 11 hours and my stools are black and thin and kinda float.
I also read that many of the symptoms could be IBS, Crohn's or celiac.
I see the specialist on Tuesday and will let you know what he says.
kind regards, Sue
sue1155 dimmy
Posted
Hi Dimmy,
Just to let you know.
I saw a specialist late yesterday, he doubts I have cancer as the colonoscopy/endoscopy I had in February showed all clear. He won't do another colonoscopy just yet because of the amount of weight I've lost and I may not come out of Anesthetic!
I was also hospitalised late September with fluid and an abscess on my lungs whereas I still have pain there. Another reason why he won't put me under just yet.
He did mention the capsule and camera and wants to do a few CT scans and Xrays and blood tests and will see me again in 4 weeks. I'll go with the camera, a lot safer than anesthetic.... at this stage.
Between now and then I have to literally stuff myself with food to put this weight back on which I have been doing although I've never been a big eater. Also have been drinking protein drinks and drinks like Sustagen, Ensure, Sustain.
So while this is rather good news that he thinks it unlikely there's cancer, there is still the blood and loss of weight. So, it's a matter of waiting now.
Have a lovely Christmas and all the best to you
dimmy sue1155
Posted
At least its the right time of year to eat as much as you can!. As far as the protein drinks are concerned ask your GP or chemist about ENSURE PLUS shakes....I survived on them when I was ill. You may be able to get them on prescription.
Best wishes
etheremail sue1155
Posted
I would be inclined to get an endoscopy too and even a pill camera to look at the stomach, duodenum and small intestine. I had a slow seeping blood condition in the lower stomach called GAVE syndrome and became very anaemic. It was pretty symptomless except my red blood levels dropped slowly. If your stools are actually black the bleeding may be coming from higher up than the colon. I very much doubt it is a) colon cancer - it would be unlikely to develop that quickly unless something was missed before or b) IBS - IBS does not produce blood. It could be a bowel disease (like Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis etc) but again it is surprising if there were no signs in February and there are usually other symptoms like abdominal pain. I would definitely get them to look at the stomach and duodenum (at least). That endoscopy is very fast and the only prep needed is not eating or drinking overnight (but no laxatives needed). They can do both a colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same visit and I had the Pill Camera at the same visit too.
Anyway good luck and hope they get quickly to what is causing the bleeding.
David.
sue1155 etheremail
Posted
Hi David,
Thank you for your reply.
I saw a specialist late yesterday, he doubts I have cancer as the colonoscopy/endoscopy I had in February showed all clear. He won't do another colonoscopy just yet because of the amount of weight I've lost and I may not come out of Anesthetic!
I was also hospitalised late September with fluid and an abscess on my lungs whereas I still have pain there. Another reason why he won't put me under just yet.
He did mention the capsule and camera and wants to do a few CT scans and Xrays and blood tests and will see me again in 4 weeks. I'll go with the camera, a lot safer than anesthetic.... at this stage.
Between now and then I have to literally stuff myself with food to put this weight back on which I have been doing although I've never been a big eater. Also have been drinking protein drinks and drinks like Sustagen, Ensure, Sustain.
So while this is rather good news that he thinks it unlikely there's cancer, there is still the blood and loss of weight. So, it's a matter of waiting now.
All the best to you and have a lovely Christmas.
Sue