Could it be the small colon

[answers needed]

My daughter is a 38 year old with a long history of problems in the digestive system.She started to have problems 5 years ago with intermediate constipation and dearrhea.Her bowel movements have become increasingly painful.At that time she started to have pain in the back on the left side before her bowel movements. The pain has in the past 2 years been continual and radiates from the back to the upper abdomen on the left side.  Stools are not large or hard. 2 years & 9 months ago she had another colnoscopy,endoscopy.The results were 2 or 3 small polyps which were removed and showed no sign of cancer,H pylore,some traces of blood.There was irritation where the stomach empties into the colon,and irritation where the small colon empties into the large colon. She was told to repeat the tests in 2 years. The repeat tests done 9 months ago were 2 more polyps and a hiatal hernia. Throughout these last few years she has gained weight.She is always exhausted & weak with pain in all her joints,and now on her entire left side.About 6 months ago She had a red rash on her face neck & swollen legs and feet with red bumps that turned blue. Now she is on lasex because of fluid retention all over.A chest xray & stress test were neg. A positive ANA and elevated sed rate

[Kevin Pho, MD]

An upper and lower endoscopy are pretty comprehensive tests to evaluate the bowel for the major GI diseases.  

Other causes of pain in the upper left side would be pancreatitis, liver or gallbladder disease (can atypically present with left-sided pain), or problems with the spleen.  

I would consider a CT scan for further evaluation of the pancreas.  If there is concern about the small bowel, more specialized tests like capsule endoscopy can be considered.

Other tests to consider would be a gastric emptying scan looking for gastroparesis.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician or in conjunction with your GI physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b

[bridgetsangel]

Has she ever taken depo provera?

[PAJ]

I totally agree with

[myproblem]

This is probably autoimmune considering the ANA and SED-rate. Lupus, and Scleroderma commonly cause problems with internal organs. The rash sounds like Lupus, but other autoimmune problems cause rashes too. Is it possible she has Crohn's Disease, or Celiac Disease? These are autoimmune too. Any other blood work?