colonoscopy results and colities

had colonoscopy last wk. nurse said was negative, yet, dr gave me pictures after test showing polyp w/ gray/white base and 4 pics of thickened colonic folds.  In pain almost all the time, ribbon type bowels, constant diarrhea with pain, rt side pain by belly button and lower.  Lower rt side back pain. Bleeding with bowel movements.  Within 15-25 minutes after eating, start having
diarrhea......help.  called and talked to nurse today after three days with constant diarrhea and pain and she was rude, said test was negative.  yet, pics dr gave showed "thicked colonic folds" (this was written by four different pictures)....is that normal...was told by someone this is NOT normal.......felt like they were thinking I was a hypochondriac.  Have suffered for couple years now.  Dr. took gall bladder out in April, diseased, no stones...yet, I knew by
my symptoms and location of pain that was not my main problem.

Am I crazy?  Please. was this normal colonoscopy or not??? Cant
even plan to go out to eat with people because of the likelihood I will be sick within an hour and be in bathroom....one bowel movement will not relieve pain but will take several and much time in bathroom, (hr or more) to feel better then I feel "wiped out" and fatiqued......have not seen dr since test, but, nurse
said she spoke to dr.......only said test ok....yet, pics seem to refute that...is this true or not....help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would insist on an explanation from the doctor.  If you are continuing to have symptoms and there are questionable pictures, it is a perfectly reasonable request.  

Thickened colonic folds can include infection or inflammation (i.e. inflammatory bowel disease) which can certainly cause your symptoms.  

If the colonoscopy is truly normal, you may want to consider an abdominal CT scan to further evaluate your symptoms.  Other conditions to consider would be malabsorption which can be evaluated with stool tests or celiac disease which can be evaluated with serum antibody tests.  

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[surgeon]

You paid for a colonoscopy, which in my opinion includes a thorough explanation of the findings by the person who did it, not his nurse. Insist on a full explanation and answering of your questions by the doctor himself.