Gastro

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am 39 years of age.  All my life my stools have been very infrequent.  I was assessed at the Toronto hospital as having a motility problem, for lack of better words it was stated a major motor gut dysfunction.  Anyways for a number of years now my BM have bee running about 10 days to 2 weeks, which is very good for me, I can live with that.  But in about the last 3 months they have become very frequent, about every 3 days or so, which was also very nice.  And in the last 3 weeks or so I have had very loose stools, going maybe 3 to four times daily.  I am presantly on Losec 40 mgs a day, which I've been on the last 2 years for reflux and hiatus hernia, also prepulsid, which I quit taking when my bm became very frequent.  My stools are some times dark in color but not always.  I get a lot of gas pain and then an urgency to go and it all comes out very quickly.  Months back I had a lot of straining and I noticed some blood, but I think it was from the strain.  I have occasional bloating and gas pains are very bad.  About a month ago doctor called me in after blood work.  Said I had iron deficiency anemia and blood was down to 8.8.  It has never been over 10.5 in the last two years.  He took more blood and sent me to a hemotolgist, who in turn took more blood.  I have not heard anything and my doctor is gone for the next three weeks on holdiays.  I also have a terrible problem with fatigue, my heart races up to 180 and 190 with very little exertion.  I have been checked by cardiologist and he says it's fine, but abnormally high.  I have great deal of difficulty with right-sided weakness, balance and coordination problems.  My doctor tells me not to worry about the anemia, but it would just be nice to have some kind of idea so I know exactly what it is I'm dealing with.  Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.  
Thank you for your time.
Cindy

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Cindy,
When we have a patient with anemaia and change in bowel pattern, we think of conditions that involve the small intestine and colon.  In particualr inflammatory bowel disease, specifically Crohn's disease is a diagnostic concern. The rapid heart rate with minimal exertion may be the result of your anemia.  An evaluation by a gastroenterologist who would do endoscopy to visualize the bowel appears warranted.

For additional information on Crohn's disease, you may wish to check our archives

[monica e]

cindy, i read your comment and it's seems we have some of the same symptoms. hernia, loose stool, weakness on lt. side fatique,nervous, heart races fast sometimes. Iv'e also been to the Dr. I'm waiting now to go on my birthday 1/21/00.
I,m tired of the guessing games and maybe diagnosis. I need anwers also. Dr. on vacation, Health Insurance problems.
I often ask myself how much more. i don't drink, smoke, no drugs. married 14yrs 2 girls Love Jesus. And all I want to do is to feel healthy and continue to work hard and worship Christ, And yet something new creeps-up. I wish you well. Hope you feel better. write let me know how you are doing ok ***@****