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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
should this history worry me?
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.
should this history worry me?
by 69GSCAL, Feb 29, 2004 12:00AM
I'd like to know if my history with GI problems needs to be looked into further.
I'm currently in the military and will soon be seperating. In the past 3 years I have had a number of GI problems that have required medical attention. If I wasn't in the military I would not have the $$ to pay for these problems and I'm worried that by seperating I may be setting myself up for some expensive doctors visits.
What has brought on this concern are two recent (one today the other a week agao) incidents of blood in my stools. Or rather on my stools. It's bright red and covers the stools, not mixed in. I think it's probably just an anal fissure and it doesn't concern me too greatly. A little discomfort that's all.
But I've had some history with these kinds of problems in the past few years. In 2002 I had what started out as diarhea (diarrhea) but began to find blood in it. My bowel movements then were very, very painful! I could actually feel blood collecting in my abdonmen and knew it was 'almost time' to go to the bathroom. When I would go thee would always be an incredible amount of blood. WHat started out as a small amount of dark blood in the diarhea (diarrhea) became a large amount of blood in the matter of a day. I went to the doctor to confirm this and it came back positive as blood. I was given an appointment 3 days later for an EGR (I think) but it went away before then. Never found out what it was.
I've frequently had abdominal pain in my right side just under my rib cage. It's very sharp pain that renders me useless for 30-40 seconds, then leaves. When it hits, any breathing or moving multiplies the pain so I tend to be very, very still til it passes. When I do move it feels like something is going to "pop".
In December of 2003 I had a incident when I was vomitting blood. Only twice did it come out. The first there was only a slight red color to the rest of the substance but the second it was almost entirely blood. I went to the hospitol where they pumped my stomach and gave me an IV. A small amount of blood was found. I was very soar the next day in my gut.
I went to go see a GI specialist after this and he found through the barium/ x-ray test that I had a reflux coming back up into my stomach. He gave me some pills but didn't seem very interested in this.
Durring this time they also checked to see if my abdominal pain could be from a herrnea. They found nothing.
I've never been scoped. Should I request one? I'll admit that I'm not looking forward to having anything put inside of me but I would like to know before I seperate if I have any chronic problems that may require future attention. Thank You for any advice. Sometimes military doctors don't seem to want to do anything that isn't necessary for you and a little pushing and prodding is necessary. I'd just like to know what I need to push for if anything.
Aubrey
I'm currently in the military and will soon be seperating. In the past 3 years I have had a number of GI problems that have required medical attention. If I wasn't in the military I would not have the $$ to pay for these problems and I'm worried that by seperating I may be setting myself up for some expensive doctors visits.
What has brought on this concern are two recent (one today the other a week agao) incidents of blood in my stools. Or rather on my stools. It's bright red and covers the stools, not mixed in. I think it's probably just an anal fissure and it doesn't concern me too greatly. A little discomfort that's all.
But I've had some history with these kinds of problems in the past few years. In 2002 I had what started out as diarhea (diarrhea) but began to find blood in it. My bowel movements then were very, very painful! I could actually feel blood collecting in my abdonmen and knew it was 'almost time' to go to the bathroom. When I would go thee would always be an incredible amount of blood. WHat started out as a small amount of dark blood in the diarhea (diarrhea) became a large amount of blood in the matter of a day. I went to the doctor to confirm this and it came back positive as blood. I was given an appointment 3 days later for an EGR (I think) but it went away before then. Never found out what it was.
I've frequently had abdominal pain in my right side just under my rib cage. It's very sharp pain that renders me useless for 30-40 seconds, then leaves. When it hits, any breathing or moving multiplies the pain so I tend to be very, very still til it passes. When I do move it feels like something is going to "pop".
In December of 2003 I had a incident when I was vomitting blood. Only twice did it come out. The first there was only a slight red color to the rest of the substance but the second it was almost entirely blood. I went to the hospitol where they pumped my stomach and gave me an IV. A small amount of blood was found. I was very soar the next day in my gut.
I went to go see a GI specialist after this and he found through the barium/ x-ray test that I had a reflux coming back up into my stomach. He gave me some pills but didn't seem very interested in this.
Durring this time they also checked to see if my abdominal pain could be from a herrnea. They found nothing.
I've never been scoped. Should I request one? I'll admit that I'm not looking forward to having anything put inside of me but I would like to know before I seperate if I have any chronic problems that may require future attention. Thank You for any advice. Sometimes military doctors don't seem to want to do anything that isn't necessary for you and a little pushing and prodding is necessary. I'd just like to know what I need to push for if anything.
Aubrey
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 01, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 01, 2004 12:00AM
The short answer is yes - an upper and lower endoscopy are reasonable tests. You are reporting blood in the stools - causes such as an anal fissure, hemorroids (hemorrhoids), diverticulosis, a colon polyp or mass, and inflammatory bowel disease are all possibilities. A colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy are reasonable test to evaluate for this.
Regarding the blood in the vomit - ulcers, inflammation of the upper GI tract, or dilated blood vessels are all possible causes. The most comprehensive test would be an upper endoscopy. I would also suggest liver function tests and possible abdominal ultrasound for further evaluation.
I would suggest a GI referral for further evaluation.
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.
Regarding the blood in the vomit - ulcers, inflammation of the upper GI tract, or dilated blood vessels are all possible causes. The most comprehensive test would be an upper endoscopy. I would also suggest liver function tests and possible abdominal ultrasound for further evaluation.
I would suggest a GI referral for further evaluation.
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.
