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Post Colonoscopy Questions

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Curtis1973
Curtis1973

Was diagnosed with IBS after a normal colonoscopy in November 2014. No diverticulosis seen or polyps,etc during scope. Yet two ct scan (this year) saw diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon. One ct in april without contrast and one in july with both saw it. I ended up in emergency care due to terrible bout of D in July that lasted half the day with each movement becoming more forceful than the one before. I would guess I used the toilet 12 times in a six hour period. At the end of the bout I began to pass bright red blood in toilet. It was fresh blood and easy to tell what it was. I passed it about three times then it went away. Had what I thought were cold chills but could easily have been fatigue as well. CT saw no sign of diverticulitis. I followed up with my doctor who dismissed it all as IBS. Stating that D can at times cause bleeding. I have had roids in the past. Possible I popped one during that awful bout of D which produced the blood. I have had daily sigmoid pain from just under belly button to the lower left abdominal area and my usual IBS descending colon pain ever since the attack hit me. Bladder issues as well. Painful bladder/pelvic issues related to fullness,sometimes urinating and when bending,moving,etc.. I mentioned the bladder issues also. But since the ct scan stated my bladder,testicles and prostate looked unremarkable the doc thinks ...I assume...that it is IC which is associated with IBS. She prescribed elavil to me which she states is used for IC and IBS. She also thought it would help with chronic sciatica I have due to lower back issues. I have many questions. Did my 2014 scope miss the diverticulosis or did it occur since? Did I actually have a mild uncomplicated diverticulitis attack that the ct scan just didnt detect? Is the blood from roids or a bleeding diverticula? Which does not have to be due to duverticulitis as they can bleed on their own uninflamed and without infection. Do I need another scope so soon? Its only been 20 months. I am confused over it all really. If not for the blood. I probably would chalk it up to an IBS flare. But blood is a red flag sign.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • leeniepie
    leeniepie Curtis1973

    Posted

    if there was no diverticular disease on the scope then it happened after that. they wouldnt miss that on a colonoscopy. the bleeding is nothing to worry about seeing as 1) it was bright red and 2) it went away after that some episode. it is dark blood that is a cause for concern. i think you popped a hemmaroid during the D attack.

    and as for the bladder issues - sounds like you need to do some pelvic floor exercises.

    • Curtis1973
      Curtis1973 leeniepie

      Posted

      Pelvic floor exercises huh lol....hmmm. Worth looking in to I guess. It is pretty painful. I was just reading up on internal roids and how fragile they are to even the slightest straining and bouts of D in particular. I am also thinking that is what happened after reading that article on it. I had become comfortable with my IBS diagnosis and began to dismiss the pain as that. Actually felt some what better just knowing. Was not prepared for a flare up where pain location changed to lower sigmoid region above bladder. My pain region had always been mid descending colon to the turn area in sigmoid in extreme left of abdomen. The change up and severity of the flare threw me for a loop. As for the diverticular issues,I guess I will just have to be mindful of symptoms that can present with that IBS does not have like fever abd cold chills with increase in pain. Thank you for your reply.
  • Ched
    Ched Curtis1973

    Posted

    Hi Curtis, sorry to hear your problems. I reckon a lot of bowel trouble is caused by kinks/prolapses within the intestinal tract. I know from bitter experience that results of tests and scans are being constantly trivialised by Medical professionals. Eg: years ago I had a colonoscopy but administering Medic had to raise air-pressure setting to max. She told me that if procedure was done with me in an upright position, that as I was so prolapsed, that camera would not have gone through. NO ACTION WHATSOEVER was taken and only comments on report sheet was 'bleeding'. My symptoms over years are getting much worse with presenting 'melena' bleeding ulcers (but despite pleas, I've been refused anti-biotics to combat h-pylori and prescribed only ppi's). I feel that many of our symptoms are being too often dismissed as much milder than they are and things definitely need to change!! Best wishes xx

  • Ched
    Ched Curtis1973

    Posted

    I wish you luck with getting more tests done.
  • Curtis1973
    Curtis1973

    Posted

    GI told me he believes that I have diverticulitis smoldering in my sigmoid colon. Put me on Cipro and Flagyl. He stated that low level infections wont always show up on ct scan. Said he did not think another scope was warranted at the time even with the diverticulitis infection considering it has only been 22 months since my all clear result from November 2014. Said we might do one in a few more years if things went well clearing up the diverticulitis. So now I have tp take the two antibiotics and hope for the best.
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