QuestionQUESTION: hello there. im horrified about colon cancer. im an 18 year old
female. i have been to doctor after doctor, even a gastroenterologist was unable
to find answers. your help would mean the world to me. i was on a very big diet,
high in protein and my stomach would make the funniest gurgling noises after i
ate. i also got terrible, explosive diarrhea from hard boiled eggs and too much
greens. i went back to my old eating habits (very unhealthy) and i was under
alot of stress. i had horrible stomach cramps and terrible diarrhea. the cramps
were in my lower left and right abdomen and my back. i also saw black in my
stool. the doctor wasn't sure what it could be and ran a fecal occult test. i
did two slides and both were negative for blood. the stomach pain continued and
my appetite went. it went into my back all of the time. i would also bloat after
meals. i felt constant pain in the lower right of my back. it feels like i have
to pass gas but i can't. my bowel movements would rotate between hard stools and
loose, watery stools that smelled and looked like diarrhea. my symptoms
continued so i went up for a full blood work up (which i would imagine reveal
any serious issues). i had a full CBC count (red & white bloods) cells, they
looked at my platelets, my liver function and my sugar..they looked at how
everything was functioning. everything came back great. my stomach pain
continued so i went to another doctor, she strongly felt my symptoms were
attributed to IBS & possibly crohn's or UC but i don't have bloody diarrhea so i
doubt it. these symptoms did come on when i became very stressed out. i finally
saw a gastroenterologist who believed my symptoms demonstrated IBS but he wanted
to do a colonoscopy. im only 18 years old so i said no and accepted the IBS
diagnosis. my stomach makes violent growling noises after i eat & gurgling. the
abdominal pain moves into my back. it almost feels like a big gas pain. my
bathroom habits have changed. i also have some stomach acid that comes up to my
throat at night. maybe stress has affected my digestive system? does this sound
like IBS? they thought it might've been a kidney infection because of the pain
in my back but they tested my urine. how about gallbladder attacks? it feels
like trapped gas but im really not sure. im not about to put myself through a
colonoscopy if it is believed to be IBS. does this sound like IBS? can IBS move
into your back? im sick of suffering & i want some advice from people who know
their stuff. i don't want to hear "just go for the colonoscopy." i want insight
based on the symptoms i have mentioned. i am mostly scared about colon cancer
because i read online that young people get it but then again i heard the
opposite that it is so extremely rare in teenagers. for a long time, i had a bad
habit of holding in my stool..does this lead to colon cancer or no? i heard it
just leads to stomach aches but i was worried you can get colon cancer from it.
should i be worried about this? im not sure what to think. help please.
the doctor did a full blood work up. he did the following tests. can you tell me
what issues (intestionally especially) the blood work would reveal? i also had a
pelvic ultrasound, a urinalysis, a rectal exam....
i had a full CBC count
my platelets were looked at
they look at my hepatic function
renal function
blood sugar
albumin
bilirubin
blood glucose
everything came back good..what do you think these blood tests were looking for
& what do my results rule out?
ANSWER: britt;
this does sound like IBS[irritable bowel syndrome],i have it as well.
approximately 20% of americans periodically have signs and symptoms of IBS. because the signs and symptoms are often common digestive complaints and can occur intermittently,many people never seek medical attention.
however,this condition is one of the leading causes of lost work and school time.
this occurs more in women then men.
the cause for IBS is often called spactic colon because its though to result from abnormal musclar activity of the intestinal wall.
the causes if this abnormal activity are unknown. at times,the condition may be aggravated by a specific food,but in many people chronic stress and depression worsen signs and symptoms;
treatment-IBS is a chronic condition that may occur on and off throughout your life,but you can take steps to minimize the signs and symptoms;
select foods carefully-make a list of what foods you can and cant eat;
drink plenty of liquids-soda most likely will trigger symptoms;water is best.
eat at regular times-dont skip meals,high-fiber foods;
exercise daily-this will help with gas,bloating-even if its just a walk;
use supplements-fiber
ask your doctor about medications
i hope this all helps;
catherine;
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: do you think i could have crohn's or my blood test results argue against it? do you think i should be worried about colon cancer?
Answerbritt;
you have to stop worrying about if this or that will happen to you,your going to drive yourself crazy....
your 18yrs old,alot of things will happen to you and all of the human beings in the world,so stop and just enjoy and relax.....
no i dont think you have colon cancer,or anything else,at this time.
if you want more help to treat IBS,then please reply,and i will help you with that;
catherine;
