Im scared

[wyltk]

Since last year, I've been having increasing problems with my stomach (well at least that is where I'm assuming the problem lies).  I periodically go through times (a few days at a time) where I am afraid to eat in public because I know I will have to go to the bathroom promptly after, and for a long stretch - of a couple months - I had diarrhea every morning within 30-60 min of waking.  I often get intense stomach pains, and feel bloated and sick after I eat.  (by sick, I mean that I feel like I will have to go to the bathroom soon, and it wont be pretty!)
My sister started having similar problems, and upon going to the doctor she was told she has irritable bowel syndrome. I assumed that I had the same thing.  But I recently learned from my mom that her mother died of colon cancer, and she had crohn's disease.  My father also told me a few months ago that he has had chronic diarrhea for years.
I am scared to go to the doctor, and slightly embarrassed because I'm a female, and problems with your "bum" are a sensitive issue.  Do my symptoms sound like crohns, or IBS, and should I go to the doctor???

[April2]

I was told a long time ago one of my gifts was the gift of encouragement. I do like to encourage and help people when I can. I have a heart for the hurting. I try to let God use me where ever He can or wants to use me.
I can be down sometimes but I don't usually stay down for long. I'm a fighter! :)

[dizzybuff38]

Jeez gal, you have come such a long way, now giving support to those who are newly diagnosed....this is the way to go. Perhaps a bit silly to say, but I am so proud of you - that you have come to terms with Crohn's and now feel empowered enough to help others. You are a star!

Love,
Liz.

[April2]

I agree with the others. It's better to find out and get treatment early than wait until things get worse. Crohns is treatable. And even if you did get colon cancer or was a high risk, colon cancer is like 98% curable with early treatment. It doesn't have to mean a death sentence. It only makes things worse if you wait and ignore symptoms. My grandmother had colon cancer twice and went on to live another 20 plus years. And she traveled and everything! She had a very full life.
You want to feel better, right? It will actually make you feel better and even empower you to know what's going on in your body so that you can know what to do and the best way to take care of yourself.
Talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to a Gastroenterologist. Don't worry, they see bums all the time! :) It's no big deal with them. Best wishes.

[dizzybuff38]

Hi - I agree with Kathy - do go to the doctor and find out what is causing your symptoms.
Doctors are used to dealing with all parts of the body and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. You would go if you had a broken leg, wouldn't you? Well. the intestines are just another part of the body to them.

My late father had rectal bleeding, bloated abdomen,pain etc. and after about a year finally went to see his GP, who told him it was colic! I was furious when I found out and got in touch with the GP. Dad went into hospital and they found colon cancer. By then it had spread to his liver and kidneys and after an exploratory surgery, they just sewed him back up and he died 6 weeks later. This was some 30 yrs ago, when there weren't tests like endoscopy of the small intestine, or colonoscopy of the large intestine, and if it was today, perhaps he may have lived longer with chemo and meds.

I have had Crohn's disease for 38 yrs and wonder if my Dad also had it, as it does tend to run in families.   Crohn's patients are at higher risk of it turning to colon cancer, so I have regular scopes and so far, so good.

You will feel better and have peace of mind when you have seen a gastro. Crohn's is not a terminal illness, just a chronic one for which there is no cure, but it is eminently treatable these days.

Take care,
Liz.

[katta]

Don't delay going to the doctor, whatever the result is will be better to chatch it on time that waiting to go away, let me tell you a story
A friend of the family was having some issues with rectal bleeding he did not have any other symptoms and didn't say anything to anyone; after a year of constant rectal bleeding he decided to tell his wife, when she found out she was so upset that made him go to the doctor he dicided after months of waiting that it was time to found out what was going on so he made an appointment, finally after going thru some testings he found out that he had colon cancer he went under treatment and got better.
I am not trying to scare you with this but don't be scare just go get tested and than get treated your are going through so much everyday thinking that is something bad and it could be just a simple case of irritable bowel syndrome(it sound like it) at least when you know you can treatment for it and have peace of mind don't waste time like my friend being scare just go for it and you will be fine.

kathy