stomach issues again.

[jfem4]

I'm 41 yo female...about 2 years ago, I started having really bad bloating, nausea,feeling full easily... etc...

1/06 u/s of abd -normal
7/06 colonoscopy-chronic active proctitis/mild active inflammation
11/06 upper gi w/sm bowel -normal
11/06 hida scan-normal except for 10 % ejection
1/07-abd sonogram-normal
1/07 sigmoidoscopy-chronic colitis/chronic proctitis/active imflammatory bowel disease
2/07 endoscopy- mild chronic inflammation/focal intestinal metaplasia identified on blue stain

The bloating had gone away for a while, and things were pretty much back to normal..I changed my diet, added probiotics,acupuncture, and things just started to feel much better.

The issue is that the bloating has started up again..not as bad, but still there, and a little bothersome.It's only been about a week, but I feel a little nervous about it.

My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer last year...and now I'm a little freaked.

Is there any way that this could be cancer? stomach or colon? I am due for another colonscopy/endoscopy in April 2008...just to watch the proctitis.

Other than the bloating, I have no other symptoms...no changes in bowels, no diarrhea...the only time I have a tiny bit of blood in my stool or on the tissue is if I strain or push...( which is usually if I don't eat flax) and that has always been the case since this whole thing started 2 years ago.

Just a little nervous since this thing with my husband...

thanks for your input on this.

[slimmy24]

Hi everyone read some comments from people with flatulence problems- rockbottom, i wonder; etc and these were posted in 2004; if they are now ok could anybody help me since i've the same problem and i'm just 24yrs. I'm in grad school and this makes it impossible to stay in class and get focused; my social life has ended; my love life has come to a standstill- all the medical test i took showed that i'm normal; gas escape from my intenstines although i keep a very tight food plan. Somebody should help me..before the worse happens....

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The testing you have had thus far is comprehensive, and would evaluate for most GI cancers.  Negative testing would make this possibility less likely.  

The bloating can be due to the low gallbladder ejection fraction.  There are small studies that suggest that removing the gallbladder can help with the symptoms.

Another consideration would be delayed gastric emptying.  If this is suspected, a gastric emptying scan can be considered.

These options can be discussed 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.
www.kevinmd.com