Weight loss, nausea, fatigue, blood in stool......CANCER? WHERE?

[peipaws]

My husband has been experiencing all these symptoms.  Had colonoscopy, EGD, Chest /abdominal pelvic ct scans, lots of blood work and they cant find the cause.  He told me yesterday that he had blood in his stool for the last month.  I had him at the dr today.  He is so frustrated at this point.  Going to dr's and not getting answers.  His normal weight is 180-185 and currently weighs 134lbs AND LOOSING.  EVERY dr he has been to suspects it's a cancer of some sort causing all this but they cant find it.  After months of all this I finally lost it with them.  I demanded a PET scan and told them if they cant find it then the scan will.  I have a friend who had breast cancer and got the info of the place she went for her scans.  I called them and had everything set up, even the appt time so all the dr had to do was call.  My husband is scheduled for this on Monday.  

Has anyone else gone thru this?  What was it?  We hope it is NOT CANCER.  Anyone else have these symptoms?  He's still having the test.  He's only 42.  He has always been healthy.  He is a smoker.

[tonyastro]

I had some sharp pains in the right side of my stomach in '92. Was so scared it was some cancer of some sort that I started getting so weak that I could barely stand up. I had twitching muscles, lost weight, feeling of nausea, got really skinny until one day my muscles froze (couldn't move) when I hyperventilated. I was tested for muscle disease, cancer, etc. and nothing. It was caused by worry of the initial symptom; the stomach pain which turned out to be a simple pulled muscle. If nothing can be found you have less to worry about. I'm not saying it is but it could be all in the mind.

[charley1986]

Hey, Iposted up the line some, but wanted to reinterate that I will specifically ask for prayer for his MRI to be clean.  I know that this is a scarry time - and the internet can sometimes help with termanology....but it can also cause fear.  I know that it will be so hard not to worry, so I won't tell you not to.  But just be comforted by the fact that people you don't even know are praying for you!  Please keep me posted.
God Bless,
Charley

[peipaws]

Wanted to let everyone know that the PET results are finally in.  The nurse called me to say that his torso, chest and pelvic area were all clear.  I was so excited.  Then she followed it with it did show something on his brain.  I remember hearing the word calcifications and thats about it.  Said it is normal to have some.  Said when the dr came in the next day he would decide if it needed further investigating and if its something to be concerned about.  They called today and are scheduling him for a MRI of his brain now.  Of course when i do a search on brain calcifications it takes me to brain cancer sites.  I looked up symptoms also and some fit too.  I'm at a loss right now. Just numb.

[boninclyde]

Thank you so much charley. I will visit there.

[charley1986]

Hey, you are already on it.  I posted to you down the line a little - not sure if you have seen it or not - it was a few days ago.  We have alot in common....I've been tested as well.  My mom sent me an email yesterday about why bad things happen to good people and it really put things into perspective for me.  My dad is a minister - so I really turned away from religion and all that it entails for a long time.  But things are different now for lots of reasons.  Know we're not supposed to give out personal email but you can email me at tired_in_nc***@**** if you want to talk more privately.
Take care and know that others are praying for you as well!
Charley

[boninclyde]

Please add me to charley1986. It seems my faith has been tested my whole life.

[crystaly]

Sorry to hear your news Bonnie cx is a sneaky diesease. I will be thinking of you a well as you approach surgery. God what is it with peoples results lately! My husband had problems for two years before he was diagnosed and I wish you all the very best at this difficult time . I lost it with the er as well when we got sent there they tried to give my hubby painkillers and I said look Ive been married to this man for 30+ yrs and never have I seen him crawl round on the floor in pain. Turned out he had spinal tumours which metasized .Good news is hes still hear with me alive and kicking !! Ive told him he aint going anywhere without me . Hope you get some news pei. Charley/Bonnie let us know hoew you get on.  XXXChris

[charley1986]

Yes, please post with results.  Hope you don't mind - even if I don't know your name - I have passed on your info to my prayer chain at church - will have lots of folks sending good thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Charley

[peipaws]

My husband had his pet scan this morning so hopefully this will give us the answers that the dr's couldn't.  I cant believe with all his symptoms that I still had to demand the test be done.  I'm praying that no hot spots are seen on it but wont be at all surprised if they are.  We just need to know what it is so he can fight it and start to get healthy again.  

Boninclyde,  I'm so sorry about your breast cancer dx.  Now you can fight it.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  

He should have his scan results by Wed's.  I will post what they found.  Fingers crossed they find nothing.

[charley1986]

Hey peipaws, I know what you mean.  No matter what it is - the most frustrating part is doctors telling you that you are not sick!  It's the hardest thing in the world to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are sick and no one believes you.  I stopped by my gp's office the day I found out I had epilepsy and slapped my hands down on the counter and said "Guess what?!!?!?  I AM NOT A HYPOCHONDRIAC!!!!"  Threw a copy of tests and walked out.  I don't think I have ever in my life had such a huge sense of satisfaction...it's a small town here - folks in the waiting room, were laughing and saying - you go girl!  The whole town was a buzz with that for a few days!  I know that you don't want a dx of cancer, but like you said, it will atleast be an answer and you can begin the fight.  I will keep yall close in thoughts and prayers!  Keep posting and let us know how it goes.

Boninclyde, I am so sorry about your dx of breast cancer.  It seems this is so common now.  I know exactly what you mean about KNOWING that something was really wrong.  My body was giving me signs as well.  In fact, when they called on friday and told me - well, I sat down, but I was in no way surprised.  I already knew and so did my sister, although she didn't want to say so.  I know each person is different, but maybe try a low dose antidepressant or anti-anxiety med like xanax or something.  I konw it makes you mad - you feel as though they are telling you that all of this is in your head.  It's not....but it is ALOT OF STRESS going through what you have been through to get to this point.  If that would help, do it - take it easy on yourself.  I take them and I truly believe that it does help some.   I have three Aunts that have been through this in the last two years...heck, uncles with colon/prostate cancer...the list goes on.  Two of my aunts ended up having total mastectomy and the other had partial and lots of radiation.  They are all, at this point, healthy and happy.  One is about to undergo reconstructive surgery.  Keep your head up and be good to yourself.  Like a lady at church told me today "I know you must be glad that you are a fighter and didn't stop pushing for answers."  I am - and this whole experience has certainly opened my eyes to the way the medical field works and how proactive you HAVE TO BE in your health care.  I wish you the very best.  Please keep posting and let us know how things are going.  I will be keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.
Charley

[boninclyde]

I have been through every test imaginable and nothing. Until three weeks ago when my world was turned upside down. I have breast cancer. I knew. I knew something was wrong. I just knew it. It may be nothing more than anxiety but sometimes our bodies try to tell us things.  We have to listen. All my doctors (about 16) told me depression, it was all in my head. For 4 years I went through this. Hell I went to see my surgeon last week who will be doing my masectomy on the 25th of August and he said I needed depressions meds. I flew hot. I told him I had a good damn reason for being depressed. He knew I can sleep I just throw up I guess this is why he sugessted it.

[peipaws]

20 yrs ago my mom died of Pancreatic Cancer.  She went thru the same thing with dr's till it was too late.  She died at 38.  My husband's weight loss/eating issues are identical to hers. Im not saying he has the same cancer as her but it is obvious there is something and the dr's just keep doing random testing instead of ordering the one test that could possibly find the cancer if it is there.  I had to demand it after months of test that found nothing.  My husband is scared but he is also tired of being told they cant find anything wrong and having dr's make him feel as though he is nuts.  "IF" cancer is found it will be devistating but we can at least start to fight it then.  Not knowing the cause of all this is maddening.  Hopefully we'll have answers by Wednesday.

I'm so sorry about your thyroid cancer diagnosis.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[charley1986]

Hey, just had to write and tell you that I SOOOO understand the frustration you are going through.  I had been going to my general doc for about a year with the same symtpoms/complaints.  Mine were neurological mixed with some thyroid issues.  I had numbness, tingling, paralysis, buzzing and electrical sensations.  I have dry, itchy skin, hair loss, WEIGHT GAIN, facial edema, heart palpitations, constipations.....trust me, I could go on and on.  I am a 38 yo F - I feel like I am 90!!!!  FINALLY one day I just LOST IT in the doctors office - I mean, really lost it.  She scheduled me an appt with neurologist!  Found out a few weeks later, I have epilepsy.  Finally got a referral to endocrinologist, and found out yesterday that I have thyroid cancer.  I just want you to know that I completely understand your frustration, and of course, I wish you and your husband well.
As I see, he had a colonoscopy.  My best friend was having alot of blood in stool - bright red - she assumed it was hemorroids from childbirth - had it done and found NOTHING.  This still happens occasionally but other than that, no other problems.  I think you are taking the next best step which is PET.  I wish that I could have something more concrete to say or something comforting - but cancer sure can hide sometimes.  I will keep yall in my prayers and wish you the best.
Know that you are not alone!
Charley

[peipaws]

Without deing diagnosed with a definate cancer its hard to get any one to listen or any place to accept you. His problem is he hasn't been diagnosed with ANYTHING.  They just keep doing all these test and nothing is found.  Yesterday his family dr told this awful story to us that he had a 42/F patient and was treating her.  He couldn't find the cause.  She had a seizure and died a month later.  It was then that the LUNG CANCER was found.  It didn't show on any test or scans previous and killed her.  My poor husband sitting right there listening to this!!!  He said the disease has to be found first and sometimes you cant always find it.  No biopsy's were done on his bowel's.  Nothing was found.  He had a biopsy for Barrett's on old scar tissue when he had his EGD but was neg.  The blood now the dr said is "probably" from a tear for the on/off constipation for the last few months.  Its bright red which means its low in the GI track.  The higher up the bleeding the darker the blood would be.  Since he had a colonoscopy 2 months ago something would of been seen at that time if it was there.

We are both so frustrated at this point.

[littlears]

I am sorry you are having so much trouble.  It sounds as if he is losing weight quickly.  Did he have any biopsies done  from the bowel area.  Depending on where you live maybe go to some of the better hospitals Mayo clinic in minnesota have the best doctors.  It sounds like cancer to me i had a friend who went through the same thing and found it finally had bone cancer and mastized all over his body he lasted two years died at the age of 52 and was a heavy smoker.  If it were my husband i would load him up in the  car to one of the best hospitals i can find and go.  Maybe he has a rare disorder. Good luck.