Should I Push For A Colonoscopy

[JDS2805]

I am a 28 year old male in good health. I recently went to the ER with abdominal pain thinking it could have been my appendix. They did a chest x-ray, an abdominal CT scan with contrast, and some blood work. Both the XRay and Scan looked normal with the exception of there being a lot of stool showing up on the scan and xray. My bloodwork was all normal except for a slightly elevated bilirubin count which they diagnosed as Gilberts Syndrome. I followed up with my family doctor and he did a physical exam on my abdomen and it appeared to be okay. He gave me mirilax and an enema- since it looked as though I was backed up. I recently cut junk food,a lot of soda, and red meat out of my diet and lost about 13 pounds(I've been wanting to loose weight). I've had hemmroids in the past but never had them checked out. While doing the mirilax and enema I noticed the stools I was passing were narrow(which i've had happen on occasions) and I was noticing blood in some of my stools and when I would wipe- mostly light red- and a few of the stools had some small black spots in them. I still feel bloated. To my knowledge I have no family history of colon cancer or polyps- my dad passed away at 43 from leukimia, my mom is 57 but has yet to get a colonoscopy. I do have some abdominal tenderness up near my rib cages but nothing severe. I'm wanting to ask my family doctor about doing a colonoscopy- should I push for one even though Im statistically on the young side for colon cancer, have no known family history, my blood test showed no anemia or iron deficiancy and my xray and ct scan were clear-which I guess at the very least would rule out late stage cancer. I do have a lot of stress going on right now. What else can cause narrow stools and passing blood? I know more than likely this is being caused by something less serious but I would rather be safe and get it checked out. Am I right for wanting a colonoscopy?

[coughting]

Glad you have the colonoscopy and that everything looks good.  I have chrons and it is in the small intestine and therefore pain in the lower right side.  I have never had bleeding so can't answer your question regarding that.  If you are still seeing blood I would give the dr a call.

[JDS2805]

I had my colonoscopy this morning. The doctor said everything looked good. He found no polyps or tumors. He took some tissue samples to rule out colitis. Still feel out of it. One more question. Will it be normal to still see a little blood in my stool the first day or so after the colonoscopy? I passed a small one and there was a little bright blood in it. I would imagine since everything checked out this may just be one of the side effects of the colonoscopy. I follow up with the GI doctor in about three weeks and I will find out what the tissue samples revealed. Thanks for all the advice and encouragment!

[coughting]

Glad to hear that you saw the dr and have the colonoscopy schedule.  The prep does suck but the rest is a breeze.

Let us know what you find out and good health to you.

[JDS2805]

I had my appointment this morning. I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy on July 31st. I'm slightly relieved since the doctor feels that it's inflammation and very unlikely anything serious. I didn't even have to push for it. The prep is going to suck but a fair trade to make sure everything is fine or to catch something early. I will let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for the advice and get well wishes!

[coughting]

The lower left side could be UC or UC with chrons.  Again if nothing shows up on the colonoscopy ask about having a barium enema.  This would show a lot of things.

Best of luck
Better health to you...

[JDS2805]

The pain, for the most part has been in the Lower Left side right below my rib cage

[coughting]

Before you have your colonoscopy ask him to check your small bowel also.  With the narrow stool it could be some type of IBS and chrons is in the small bowel.  If nothing shows up ask for a barium enema.

My chrons was not diagnosed by the scope I had but was with the barium enema and I also had a blood test that showed I have the gene for chrons.

The blood most likely is from the hemmoroids and that my be causing the small and loose stool.  

Is the pain in the left or right LQ or UQ?    

Glad you are having it checked out.

[JDS2805]

My family doctor referred me to a GI specialist that I'm seeing next Sunday. He feels that since I'm young, have no family history, and other tests were normal, that my symptoms are being caused by something else and that colon cancer is extremely unlikely- but he keeps the better safe than sorry mindset. The abdominal pain has lessened quite a bit and there isn't blood anymore but I'm still passing narrow and loose stools. I do currently have an external hemmroid but I noticed that about a week after all of these symptoms. Hopefully everything will go well.

[JDS2805]

my doctor wants to try a very powerful laxative- if i still pass narrow stools or see blood he's going to send me to a specialist- i also have some rectal itching which added with the narrow stool and blood i know could be something as minor as a hemmroid. i don't believe i need a referal for my insurance to cover a colonoscopy since on paper i have some symptoms of colon cancer. i think regardless i will still get one because the way i see it even though all my blood tests and ct scans-which would show advanced cancer- were all clear, the best case scenerio is i have a hemmroid or IBS and at worst there may be a polyp or something in a very early stage. i will keep updates

[Morecambe]

I think you are wise to request a colonoscopy.  The only reason why I would not pursue it is if your doctor can confirm that the source of rectal bleeding is minor such as anal fissure or haemorrhoids.  That does not mean a vague diagnosis such as "well it looks as if it might be.......".

If there is any doubt then insist on a colonoscopy.

regards
Morecambe