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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
proctitis? help!
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
proctitis? help!
by PFC.Spengler, Nov 05, 2005 12:00AM
If anyone can tell me anything, I'd be more than grateful. I've already read a lot about all of this, and have no idea what's wrong with me unless it's some kind of proctitis.
About 2 weeks ago, I had a minor cold. Since then I've had a host of stomach/gi problems, mostly centered around the glands on my groin. However, two weeks ago, I became aware of a constant sense of awareness / pressure (not exactly pain) in my lower back, it feels like it's right under my tailbone. This is constant, and is affecting my ability to work / do the things I enjoy.
I've been to a clinc 3 times and an ER. A CT series was done to rule out appendicitus and some other things, and a prostate exam was done to rule out prostititus. Blood work has been done; no infection / etc.
This is maddening. It consumes my thoughts 99% of the day. It isn't exactly pain, as much as an awareness of my lower back (rectum?), and a feeling sort of like I have to go to the bathroom, even though I do not.
I've had a lot of blood work done, whch would rule out bacterial agents. Other than the tube used for CT prep, I haven't been sticking anything up there that I shouldn't. I was a bit constipated two weeks ago when this all started.
What's wrong with me / will it ever get better? One thing I've noticed is that marijuana either makes this symptom worse, or heightens my awareness of it -- in either case, I've had to give it up, which bothers me both because I enjoy it and because it's usually a solution to GI problems for me, not a cause.
I'm totally at my wit's end with this. At night I start to have fantasies about suicide, which seems ludicrous, but I can't live like this. I'm supposed to see my 'real' doctor on Tuesday, and will probably be referred to a gastroentrologist for a colonoscopy to look for crohn's and colitis, but in the mean time, what can I do to feel better? It's like there's a knawing tingling in my backside that I cannot eliminate.
If any of this helps:
I don't drink alcohol much
I've been taking Klonopin for 4 years, have gradually been going off of it lately. Have stopped efforts to cut dose as a result of whatever is going on.
I've been smoking marijuana pretty regularily for 5 years, this is the first time it's caused me any distress.
I may have been under a bit of stress lately, but it's mostly been stress related to this condition!
Short of giving myself an enema with lidocaine, what can I do?
About 2 weeks ago, I had a minor cold. Since then I've had a host of stomach/gi problems, mostly centered around the glands on my groin. However, two weeks ago, I became aware of a constant sense of awareness / pressure (not exactly pain) in my lower back, it feels like it's right under my tailbone. This is constant, and is affecting my ability to work / do the things I enjoy.
I've been to a clinc 3 times and an ER. A CT series was done to rule out appendicitus and some other things, and a prostate exam was done to rule out prostititus. Blood work has been done; no infection / etc.
This is maddening. It consumes my thoughts 99% of the day. It isn't exactly pain, as much as an awareness of my lower back (rectum?), and a feeling sort of like I have to go to the bathroom, even though I do not.
I've had a lot of blood work done, whch would rule out bacterial agents. Other than the tube used for CT prep, I haven't been sticking anything up there that I shouldn't. I was a bit constipated two weeks ago when this all started.
What's wrong with me / will it ever get better? One thing I've noticed is that marijuana either makes this symptom worse, or heightens my awareness of it -- in either case, I've had to give it up, which bothers me both because I enjoy it and because it's usually a solution to GI problems for me, not a cause.
I'm totally at my wit's end with this. At night I start to have fantasies about suicide, which seems ludicrous, but I can't live like this. I'm supposed to see my 'real' doctor on Tuesday, and will probably be referred to a gastroentrologist for a colonoscopy to look for crohn's and colitis, but in the mean time, what can I do to feel better? It's like there's a knawing tingling in my backside that I cannot eliminate.
If any of this helps:
I don't drink alcohol much
I've been taking Klonopin for 4 years, have gradually been going off of it lately. Have stopped efforts to cut dose as a result of whatever is going on.
I've been smoking marijuana pretty regularily for 5 years, this is the first time it's caused me any distress.
I may have been under a bit of stress lately, but it's mostly been stress related to this condition!
Short of giving myself an enema with lidocaine, what can I do?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Nov 05, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 05, 2005 12:00AM
Difficult to say without examination.
The CT scan would rule out things like appendicitis or diverticulitis.
Further studies of the GI system can include a lower endoscopy, like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. This can evaluate for a mass or polyp, or inflammatory bowel disease - which can atypically present in the way you are describing.
I would further evaluate the prostate. Although a digital rectal exam was done, you can consider analyzing the urine, as well as a transrectal ultrasound to image the prostate. Prostatitis can be difficult the diagnose - and can present in the way you are describing.
You can discuss these options with your personal 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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
The CT scan would rule out things like appendicitis or diverticulitis.
Further studies of the GI system can include a lower endoscopy, like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. This can evaluate for a mass or polyp, or inflammatory bowel disease - which can atypically present in the way you are describing.
I would further evaluate the prostate. Although a digital rectal exam was done, you can consider analyzing the urine, as well as a transrectal ultrasound to image the prostate. Prostatitis can be difficult the diagnose - and can present in the way you are describing.
You can discuss these options with your personal 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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
Member Comments (1)
by PFC.Spengler, Nov 05, 2005 12:00AM
As an aside that I forgot to mention, I frequently have small amounts of mucus in my stools, but that's been going on for months
