Various bowel problems, pain, worried about liver, only 23..

[Kimberly83]

Hi, I have been having some problems that are really worrying me, and I don't feel like I have been getting good enough answers from my health care providers, so here goes. I am 23 years old. On and for years, I've had bleeding in my stools, as well as gas and mucus, and lately what seems to be lighter brown stools than normal, and slightly greenish, as well as undigested food in my stools. The mucus at times seems like blood tinged mucus. I have stools around 3 times a day, and sometimes it's more like constipation, hard to go, little pellet stools, and other times it's loose stools. I seem to switch between the two. I also have gas, increased belching, bloating, and lately not as good an apetite as usual, but no significant weight loss. I had a colonscopy last month to rule out colon cancer. They found anal fissures and hemmoroids (hemorrhoids), and nothing else. I had blood test as well and as of a few months ago, I was not anemic, but last year I had my B12 level checked and my doctor said I might want to take a b12 supplement, but didn't specifically say I have B12 anemia, and as of last year my blood test on my liver and kidney's were fine, but I also have fluctuating blood pressure, and a high pulse rate that is being looked into. I was worried about Ovarian cancer as well,but my GYN doesn't seem to think it's that. I also am somewhat more tired than lately usual, and it all has me really worried. I'm only in my 20's, but my grandfather on my dad's side died of stomach cancer in his 50's. I've heard light stools could mean a liver problem. Also, they often seem flat and sometimes long. Also, my urine isn't that dark usually, but just before I had my colonoscopy it was) Also, lately I've had some pain under my right rib cage area, but I asked my dad to feel it and he couldn't feel anything, any swelling or mass, and the doctor I would hope would've caught it. Anyway, I heard B12 Anemia (if I in fact have it) could be a risk factor for stomach cancer, I also believe because my father is I am an A blood type, which I heard also increases my risk as well as my family history. Does this sound like it could be stomach cancer? Should I have an Upper GI done to be safe? I'm pretty desperate for answers..

[Joalbert]

It sounds like you might have IBS, beside that you have blod in your stools. I have IBS, and I get diarrhea sometimes and sometimes it loose stools as well as constipated ones. My stools are often light colored as well. With IBS you'll get lots of gas and be bloated all the time. Sometimes I get so bloated that I thought I was pregnant once, because I never thought that I could get that blosted from that.
What did your doctors have toll you? What do they think you have? Do you have a Gastroenterologist? I've been seeing my gastroentorolist for over  2 yrs and he still hasn't helped me that much. I'm still stuck taking Imodium (immodium) everday.
If I were you I would keep on searching for the right doctor. Keep on looking until you get the right help.
Oh yeah the liver does affect the way your bowels looks. I do not have my gallbladder so that might be the reason why I have lighter bowels movement.
Well I hope things get better. Keep us up to date with your situation
:)

[Kimberly83]

Well, I went to a gastro, who seemed to think I just had anal fissures which were causing my bleeding (which I do), but I'm not sure about the blood tinged mucus, anyway she also thought from my desciption, I may have some acid reflux and first wanted a colonoscopy/endoscopy, but as the diarrehia and constipation became worse she became more interested in the colonoscopy, and did that and not the endoscopy in addition. She also wanted me to take a fiber supplement to keep my bowels loose, but I felt it was making them TOO loose and almost like diarrehia so I stopped taking it. I will ask what is recommended in terms of this.  All that was found by the colonoscopy was some anal fissures and internal hemmoroids (hemorrhoids). Then, thinking it was gynecological, I headed to my GYN, who doesn't seem to think it's that. So I am heading back to the gastro doctor on Monday...I have never mentioned the light stools to her because I had them on and off before, but it only seems persistent lately, as does the undigested food in my stool...thanks for your response and I will keep you updated...

[Joalbert]

I hope everything goes well :)
Let me know if you do have IBS or something else.