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Colonoscopy and Scared!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I went i nto have some blood tests done and all was fine............I have been on a health kick all this year (lost 40 pounds and brought down my cholesterol, triglycerides 55....basically pretty healthy.
I started having constipation, so upped my fiber...but sometimes straining to go to bathroom, belching and burping, white spots in stool and yesterday a little blood in the stool. At the time I met with the gastro doctor, was asked if I had blood in stool and I hadn't then. I spoke with someone in his office yesterday and told her about the blood and she said, oh that's not natural.......scared me to death as I had a friend who died of colon cancer six years ago...
Don't have a history of it in family, but keep feeling gassy all day and eat healthy and trying not to drink coffee.....which is my only vice.
I have my colonoscopy scheduled for the 19th of December and doctor wants to run a tube down my esophagus to see what else is going on in there right after that; should I do that test before the colonoscopy?
What else could it be and should I be doing anything else? I also had an abdominal ultrasound done last week and everything turned out normal.
I carry arounf 40-50 pounds of stenographer equipment everyday, so just wondering if I could have ruptured something.
Can someone shed some light on what might be going on?
I started having constipation, so upped my fiber...but sometimes straining to go to bathroom, belching and burping, white spots in stool and yesterday a little blood in the stool. At the time I met with the gastro doctor, was asked if I had blood in stool and I hadn't then. I spoke with someone in his office yesterday and told her about the blood and she said, oh that's not natural.......scared me to death as I had a friend who died of colon cancer six years ago...
Don't have a history of it in family, but keep feeling gassy all day and eat healthy and trying not to drink coffee.....which is my only vice.
I have my colonoscopy scheduled for the 19th of December and doctor wants to run a tube down my esophagus to see what else is going on in there right after that; should I do that test before the colonoscopy?
What else could it be and should I be doing anything else? I also had an abdominal ultrasound done last week and everything turned out normal.
I carry arounf 40-50 pounds of stenographer equipment everyday, so just wondering if I could have ruptured something.
Can someone shed some light on what might be going on?
Wow Smilie, you are going through the same kind of stuff as me (except for blood in stool) right down to the exact date of my colonoscopy and endo. By the way, yes, they can do both the endo and the colon at the same procedure so you don't have to go back twice, plus you're sedated. The endo checks your upper digestive tract and the colon does your lower. So you need both as I've been told. I also had blood work which came back normal, and an ultrasound that I don't have results yet. I know the tech is not allowed to tell me the results, but it pissed me off that she refused to tell me anything in my very worried state. I have to call my doc today to get the results of the ultra. Anyway, I too have been working hard to be healthy including losing 37 pounds since the beginning of the year due to good excercise and dieting. Then about 3 months ago I started experiencing stomach problems. First diagnosed as a stomach virus, then H-Pylori. After two rounds of antibiotics my symptoms changed from upset stomach to the following:
1. Brief pain swallowing food
2. Heartburn and gas.
3. gurlging in lower intestine
4. dull cramps in large intestine
5. dull shooting pains in rectum
In that exact order, as if the symptoms are following the food as it travels through my body. I wake up the next day feeling fine and starting with breakfast the whole thing starts again. Our symptoms resemble IBS but tests have to be done to rule out other things. My doc now feels I have a gallbladder problem which results in the food not being digested properly, however my stool is fine so if the food isn't being digested properly wouldn't my stool look and feel different?
Anyway, we're in the same boat. I'm freakin' out, and the more I freak the worse I feel. Everyone tells me not to worry. That fatal diseases carry much worse symptoms. That my blood work would have shown something out of wack. My doc even told me that people who are truly sick really feel it and know it. He says people like me have something not working right. By the way, if you had constipation the blood in your stool could be from the hard stool passing through your colon or rectum which wouldn't be anything to worry about unless it continues. Good luck, and let me know what you find out.
1. Brief pain swallowing food
2. Heartburn and gas.
3. gurlging in lower intestine
4. dull cramps in large intestine
5. dull shooting pains in rectum
In that exact order, as if the symptoms are following the food as it travels through my body. I wake up the next day feeling fine and starting with breakfast the whole thing starts again. Our symptoms resemble IBS but tests have to be done to rule out other things. My doc now feels I have a gallbladder problem which results in the food not being digested properly, however my stool is fine so if the food isn't being digested properly wouldn't my stool look and feel different?
Anyway, we're in the same boat. I'm freakin' out, and the more I freak the worse I feel. Everyone tells me not to worry. That fatal diseases carry much worse symptoms. That my blood work would have shown something out of wack. My doc even told me that people who are truly sick really feel it and know it. He says people like me have something not working right. By the way, if you had constipation the blood in your stool could be from the hard stool passing through your colon or rectum which wouldn't be anything to worry about unless it continues. Good luck, and let me know what you find out.
Thanks so much for your response. This is not my first time to be on this forum and each time someone responds that's in the same boat. Anyway, I will check with the gastro office tomorrow to see if they will do both tests at the same time.
I tested positive for H-Pylori last year, but doctor didnt prescribe anything for it, so i thought it wasn't a big deal. This time when the blood tests came back, they want me to do the Prev-pack and Prevacid for two months because I tested positive for it again. I found out that there is a breath test that doc can give you to see if you have live bacteria at the moment. But they couldn't do that, because they are currently out of the test. (uhhhhh!) So I took it upon myself to look some stuff up on the internet about H-Pylori and how to be rid of it. The Europeans use this product called, Mastic gum called, "bye-pylori" that will get rid of it. The website is www.lifeenhancement.net for purchase. They Prev-pac is expensive as you seem to know.
I ate some beets a couple of weeks back and my stool was a little red then, probably from the beets. A friend told me to eat them and it would help my gallbaldder, which I found out that I have no gallstones, according to the abdominal ultrasound. But the beets did kind of subside my symptoms.
When I had my ultrasound, the tech was very nice and said she didn't see anything that was a concern, but had to wait for the radiologist to read them and send to my doc. The doc's office did call me and said nothing showed up (that's great) They said nothing wrong with my gallbladder and no gallstones.I think I will keep my gallbladder. I wouldn't worry about the ultra...if there was something really going on, they would have probably contacted you by now. But curious to know what you find out. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING!
I kind of freak out sometimes as well...only cause I work so hard at trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. I'm with you in the worry department, though. But isn't that where faith comes in? I will definitely put you on a prayer list.
I have upped my fiber, as I said, and taking in lots of flaxseed everyday in the foods that I eat. It really helps. I've never been regular, but now go like clockwork everyday. I still do strain and my doc's office said the blood could actually be a hemorroid. Can't wait to get these tests over with and enjoy the holidays.
My coworker had constipation before her GB was taken out and pain under the left shoulder blade, stools were loose and nauseous. So not sure if it's your GB, but wait until the endo and colonoscopy...should shed some light on what's going on. There are so many things that can go haywire with our digestive systems and let's not panic!!!!
Good luck with all of your tests; did you say that yours are on the 19Th as well? It seems that we are two healthy individuals that just want some straightforward answers so we can get on with the rest of life!!!!!
Thanks for the encouragement...take care
I tested positive for H-Pylori last year, but doctor didnt prescribe anything for it, so i thought it wasn't a big deal. This time when the blood tests came back, they want me to do the Prev-pack and Prevacid for two months because I tested positive for it again. I found out that there is a breath test that doc can give you to see if you have live bacteria at the moment. But they couldn't do that, because they are currently out of the test. (uhhhhh!) So I took it upon myself to look some stuff up on the internet about H-Pylori and how to be rid of it. The Europeans use this product called, Mastic gum called, "bye-pylori" that will get rid of it. The website is www.lifeenhancement.net for purchase. They Prev-pac is expensive as you seem to know.
I ate some beets a couple of weeks back and my stool was a little red then, probably from the beets. A friend told me to eat them and it would help my gallbaldder, which I found out that I have no gallstones, according to the abdominal ultrasound. But the beets did kind of subside my symptoms.
When I had my ultrasound, the tech was very nice and said she didn't see anything that was a concern, but had to wait for the radiologist to read them and send to my doc. The doc's office did call me and said nothing showed up (that's great) They said nothing wrong with my gallbladder and no gallstones.I think I will keep my gallbladder. I wouldn't worry about the ultra...if there was something really going on, they would have probably contacted you by now. But curious to know what you find out. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING!
I kind of freak out sometimes as well...only cause I work so hard at trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. I'm with you in the worry department, though. But isn't that where faith comes in? I will definitely put you on a prayer list.
I have upped my fiber, as I said, and taking in lots of flaxseed everyday in the foods that I eat. It really helps. I've never been regular, but now go like clockwork everyday. I still do strain and my doc's office said the blood could actually be a hemorroid. Can't wait to get these tests over with and enjoy the holidays.
My coworker had constipation before her GB was taken out and pain under the left shoulder blade, stools were loose and nauseous. So not sure if it's your GB, but wait until the endo and colonoscopy...should shed some light on what's going on. There are so many things that can go haywire with our digestive systems and let's not panic!!!!
Good luck with all of your tests; did you say that yours are on the 19Th as well? It seems that we are two healthy individuals that just want some straightforward answers so we can get on with the rest of life!!!!!
Thanks for the encouragement...take care
Smilie,
My ultrasound came back clean. Doc didn't elaborate on the phone other than to say everything looked fine. So now I have two clean tests: blood and ultra. However I'm still freaking out. Something is definitately wrong because I still have dull pains from the time I eat to when I have a bowel movement. I'm so afraid it's going to be stomach cancer or cancer somewhere else. I've wasted so much time searching the web only to read things that make me worry worse. I want to have faith, I don't want to worry, but I can't help it. I've heard too many stories about healthy or good people getting sick and dying. I'm 45, but my kids are only 6 and 8 and my biggest fear in life is that I won't see them grow up. My wife is getting tired of me fearing for my life. She used to call me the rock in our family, and now I'm afraid she doesn't feel that way anymore. I just feel that I haven't been a good enough person in this life to be spared from some aweful disease. I'm sorry to go on like this.
Yes my endo and colo are on the 19th, but I'm scared out of my mind that they will find something bad and tell my wife while I'm still drugged up. I've always eaten well, worked out my whole life, and just retired from my softball team that had mainly 20 and 30 year olds on it. But over the last 2 years I've been diagnosed with vertigo, then I had a sinus operation, and now stomach problems. I just don't feel I'm going to be able to dodge another bullet.
One of the many reasons I'm trippin', is that I saw a friend I haven't seen in 20 years today, and she told me that my ex girlfriend's mother died of stomach cancer, and when I asked her how she got it, she told me they believed it was from H-Pylori, and she then asked me if I had ever heard of it. I almost fell out of my chair! She had no idea that I've been having stomach problems and fears. What are the chances that I would have this encounter while I'm going through an ordeal that started when my doc suspected H-Pylori?
It also made me wonder if my blood test or ultrasound revealed whether or not I still have H-Pylori or any cancer even though the doc didn't say anything and said I was clean. Sorry to go on like this, I guess I'll close for now. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your kind words and response.
My ultrasound came back clean. Doc didn't elaborate on the phone other than to say everything looked fine. So now I have two clean tests: blood and ultra. However I'm still freaking out. Something is definitately wrong because I still have dull pains from the time I eat to when I have a bowel movement. I'm so afraid it's going to be stomach cancer or cancer somewhere else. I've wasted so much time searching the web only to read things that make me worry worse. I want to have faith, I don't want to worry, but I can't help it. I've heard too many stories about healthy or good people getting sick and dying. I'm 45, but my kids are only 6 and 8 and my biggest fear in life is that I won't see them grow up. My wife is getting tired of me fearing for my life. She used to call me the rock in our family, and now I'm afraid she doesn't feel that way anymore. I just feel that I haven't been a good enough person in this life to be spared from some aweful disease. I'm sorry to go on like this.
Yes my endo and colo are on the 19th, but I'm scared out of my mind that they will find something bad and tell my wife while I'm still drugged up. I've always eaten well, worked out my whole life, and just retired from my softball team that had mainly 20 and 30 year olds on it. But over the last 2 years I've been diagnosed with vertigo, then I had a sinus operation, and now stomach problems. I just don't feel I'm going to be able to dodge another bullet.
One of the many reasons I'm trippin', is that I saw a friend I haven't seen in 20 years today, and she told me that my ex girlfriend's mother died of stomach cancer, and when I asked her how she got it, she told me they believed it was from H-Pylori, and she then asked me if I had ever heard of it. I almost fell out of my chair! She had no idea that I've been having stomach problems and fears. What are the chances that I would have this encounter while I'm going through an ordeal that started when my doc suspected H-Pylori?
It also made me wonder if my blood test or ultrasound revealed whether or not I still have H-Pylori or any cancer even though the doc didn't say anything and said I was clean. Sorry to go on like this, I guess I'll close for now. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your kind words and response.
Dear Smilie & Athleet,
Both of you all have or have had H.pylori, which is notoriously hard to get rid of, and can cause tremendous digestive tract discomfort. That must be treated aggressively. Following any completed round of medication for it, consume Acidophilus milk or yogurt for a week or two, to restore proper bacteria. Get retested for H. pylori on a regular basis (minimum every six months). I think that diagnosis is the basis of most of your difficulties.
Dear Smilie,
The blood in your stool can certainly be from hemrhoids, which come from straining and/or constipation, and I'm amazed they didn't check that out before ordering up a colonoscopy. Be that as it may, the colonoscopy procedure itself is a good five-year test to have, a breeze, they sedate you very well, winds up being pleasant, of all things.
GG
Both of you all have or have had H.pylori, which is notoriously hard to get rid of, and can cause tremendous digestive tract discomfort. That must be treated aggressively. Following any completed round of medication for it, consume Acidophilus milk or yogurt for a week or two, to restore proper bacteria. Get retested for H. pylori on a regular basis (minimum every six months). I think that diagnosis is the basis of most of your difficulties.
Dear Smilie,
The blood in your stool can certainly be from hemrhoids, which come from straining and/or constipation, and I'm amazed they didn't check that out before ordering up a colonoscopy. Be that as it may, the colonoscopy procedure itself is a good five-year test to have, a breeze, they sedate you very well, winds up being pleasant, of all things.
GG
ggreg
Thanks for the response. I agree with your assessment of smilie's blood being from hemmoroids. I too have hems, and though I didn't see blood in my stool, I did see it on the toilet paper. I haven't had that in a while. I found that warm baths, keeping the area dry, and using Pre-H really helped. Also stool can really be colored by what you eat. I found that out after drinking cranberry juice.
As far as the HPylori. My problem is my doc prescribed the Prevpac after I told him my symptoms over the phone. After I completed the 2 weeks of meds I did feel better, but different ab problems like I describe above began. So I went to see my doc who told me that the Prevpac should have wiped out the HP and that's when he decided to run me through the tests: blood, ultrasound, endo/colon and possibly the radioactive ultrasound if nothing is found in the previous tests. I've had the first 2 tests done which came back clean. So I'm wondering like you say, if I still have the HP? Wouldn't that show up in the blood test? Should I call my doc and ask him if they looked for the HP antibodies in the blood test? How do I know until I get the endo/colon test that I don't have something worse? Just sitting here writing this I have an occassional short pain here and there: one in my belly, then another in my side, then sometimes in my rectum. Never for very long and never very painful. Just a short quick needlelike twinge. Could that be HP? And if you have HP is your stool normal like mine?
Anyone please help if you have an idea. I really appreciate it.
Thanks for the response. I agree with your assessment of smilie's blood being from hemmoroids. I too have hems, and though I didn't see blood in my stool, I did see it on the toilet paper. I haven't had that in a while. I found that warm baths, keeping the area dry, and using Pre-H really helped. Also stool can really be colored by what you eat. I found that out after drinking cranberry juice.
As far as the HPylori. My problem is my doc prescribed the Prevpac after I told him my symptoms over the phone. After I completed the 2 weeks of meds I did feel better, but different ab problems like I describe above began. So I went to see my doc who told me that the Prevpac should have wiped out the HP and that's when he decided to run me through the tests: blood, ultrasound, endo/colon and possibly the radioactive ultrasound if nothing is found in the previous tests. I've had the first 2 tests done which came back clean. So I'm wondering like you say, if I still have the HP? Wouldn't that show up in the blood test? Should I call my doc and ask him if they looked for the HP antibodies in the blood test? How do I know until I get the endo/colon test that I don't have something worse? Just sitting here writing this I have an occassional short pain here and there: one in my belly, then another in my side, then sometimes in my rectum. Never for very long and never very painful. Just a short quick needlelike twinge. Could that be HP? And if you have HP is your stool normal like mine?
Anyone please help if you have an idea. I really appreciate it.
Dear Athleet,
Yes, the H. pylori can persist, even after treatment, and can cause ALL SORTS of digestive upset. Sometimes tests for it can come up negative, and then later come up postive, which is why to get retested periodically, particularly since you've been positive before. Google a few websites about that problem, so you'll be better informed, because it takes a while to get rid of it, I don't care what your doc says. Sometimes different antibiotics have to be used, it is a very stubborn infection.
Now, as I said earlier, anytime you take medication to kill bacteria like that, it also kills all the beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, which you need to restore it. "Good" bacteria aids in digestion, and if you don't have enough of it, you'll get WILD digestion symptoms. You have to be done with your round of meds to do the following: Consume acidophilus milk or yogurt for a week or two. You can buy it in the grocery store. The yogurt version is excellent, there's a brand called "Activia," comes in diff flavors. Every time I finish a round of ANY antibiotic for anything, and my dogs too, I drink Acidophilus milk with my cheerios for a week. Helps restore normal bowel movements. (Don't consume it while you're on meds or you'll throw up.)
The pain you feel is gas from indigestion. If you notice it after you've finished the above-recommended acidophilus routine, take some alka selzter when it hits, to get you through until your procedure.
By the way, whatever tests your doc did, yes, you can call and ask point blank, "How did the H. pylori test come out?" Their answer will reveal everything. If you're not satisfied in some way, feel free to just walk into an urgent care clinic or ER or county clinic, and ask for the H. pylori test. Ask the nurse who takes the blood when are they going to tell you the result and how. Also, when you have your colonoscopy done, ask the person who does the exam, "Did you find anything? What do I have?" Also, ask the NURSE who is working with the doctor or technician how did things look. They are more likely to tell you pretty quick what they saw. The test results and report go to your general doctor and take until your next appointment to find out about. If it's serious, they'll call you before that.
Do not get too focused on what COULD be wrong with you. This is common in people with health issues, fear of the unknown snowballs into, "I am going to die." Let the doctors do their job. And you do that H. pylori test on your own, if you need to, and please do the Acidophilus. Try to channel your fear into positive physical activities if you can, which gets endorphins going, which takes the mind off physical discomfort.
GG
Yes, the H. pylori can persist, even after treatment, and can cause ALL SORTS of digestive upset. Sometimes tests for it can come up negative, and then later come up postive, which is why to get retested periodically, particularly since you've been positive before. Google a few websites about that problem, so you'll be better informed, because it takes a while to get rid of it, I don't care what your doc says. Sometimes different antibiotics have to be used, it is a very stubborn infection.
Now, as I said earlier, anytime you take medication to kill bacteria like that, it also kills all the beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, which you need to restore it. "Good" bacteria aids in digestion, and if you don't have enough of it, you'll get WILD digestion symptoms. You have to be done with your round of meds to do the following: Consume acidophilus milk or yogurt for a week or two. You can buy it in the grocery store. The yogurt version is excellent, there's a brand called "Activia," comes in diff flavors. Every time I finish a round of ANY antibiotic for anything, and my dogs too, I drink Acidophilus milk with my cheerios for a week. Helps restore normal bowel movements. (Don't consume it while you're on meds or you'll throw up.)
The pain you feel is gas from indigestion. If you notice it after you've finished the above-recommended acidophilus routine, take some alka selzter when it hits, to get you through until your procedure.
By the way, whatever tests your doc did, yes, you can call and ask point blank, "How did the H. pylori test come out?" Their answer will reveal everything. If you're not satisfied in some way, feel free to just walk into an urgent care clinic or ER or county clinic, and ask for the H. pylori test. Ask the nurse who takes the blood when are they going to tell you the result and how. Also, when you have your colonoscopy done, ask the person who does the exam, "Did you find anything? What do I have?" Also, ask the NURSE who is working with the doctor or technician how did things look. They are more likely to tell you pretty quick what they saw. The test results and report go to your general doctor and take until your next appointment to find out about. If it's serious, they'll call you before that.
Do not get too focused on what COULD be wrong with you. This is common in people with health issues, fear of the unknown snowballs into, "I am going to die." Let the doctors do their job. And you do that H. pylori test on your own, if you need to, and please do the Acidophilus. Try to channel your fear into positive physical activities if you can, which gets endorphins going, which takes the mind off physical discomfort.
GG
Hey Greg. I hope you don't mind me asking you a question but you seem pretty knowledgable about the H.Pylori bacteria. I was having stomach pains back in April, went in and tested positive for H.Pylor. They gave me the antibiotics and I took them all but the pain didn't go away. After running more tests, they discovered a mass in my small intestine. I had surgery to remove it and they said that was why I was having the stomach pains. However, I got tested again for the H.Pylor through a blood test and it showed positive again. This time they didn't give me anything. They told me that once you tested positive for H.Pylor, you always will test positive. I asked how I'd be able to tell then if the bacteria came back? They said chances are it was gone, it was just showing up still in the blood test. Have you ever heard of such a thing? How in the world then would I know if I ever have it again? They also told me that I probably had it since I was a kid and just never got tested for it. The only reason why I got tested to begin with was because they were trying to figure out why I had the stomach pains. What do you think about all of this? I hope you see this! Thanks!
Dear April,
Wow, you've been through a lot, with that mass and surgery and all. The reason I know about H. pylori is because I have irritable bowel syndrome. So, after some harrowing times, and no one knew what was wrong, I ended up studying everything to do with indigestion. I "cured" myself when I found out a medication I was taking created the problem, I stopped the medicine, it went away. However, because I had diahrea 24/7 for SIX MONTHS, my poor bowels are still sensitive to food.
Anyway, it was during that time that I came across H. pylori, which I was indeed tested for, and came up negative. So, I'm just giving information from my recollections. That's why I suggested to the other poster to Google it for some websites devoted to the issue, because it's a nasty thing to get. I think self-education is sometimes necessary when problems don't go away. But I imagine the doctors are thinking since you have no symptoms, why worry with it. Many people get H. pylori, but not everyone has symptoms, sometimes it resolves by itself. I would look those sites up for you myself, but I'm having a rather bad day from other health issues today. So, perhaps if you read from some online info, you will understand H. pylori better.
What I find interesting about your situation is, you had BOTH H. pylori and a mass in your small intestine. All I can imagine is what if they had missed that small bowel obstruction. Your post humbles me a lot. But this is a patient-to-patient forum, and I offer what little bit I have learned from my own ordeal, in hopes it will help others.
GG
Wow, you've been through a lot, with that mass and surgery and all. The reason I know about H. pylori is because I have irritable bowel syndrome. So, after some harrowing times, and no one knew what was wrong, I ended up studying everything to do with indigestion. I "cured" myself when I found out a medication I was taking created the problem, I stopped the medicine, it went away. However, because I had diahrea 24/7 for SIX MONTHS, my poor bowels are still sensitive to food.
Anyway, it was during that time that I came across H. pylori, which I was indeed tested for, and came up negative. So, I'm just giving information from my recollections. That's why I suggested to the other poster to Google it for some websites devoted to the issue, because it's a nasty thing to get. I think self-education is sometimes necessary when problems don't go away. But I imagine the doctors are thinking since you have no symptoms, why worry with it. Many people get H. pylori, but not everyone has symptoms, sometimes it resolves by itself. I would look those sites up for you myself, but I'm having a rather bad day from other health issues today. So, perhaps if you read from some online info, you will understand H. pylori better.
What I find interesting about your situation is, you had BOTH H. pylori and a mass in your small intestine. All I can imagine is what if they had missed that small bowel obstruction. Your post humbles me a lot. But this is a patient-to-patient forum, and I offer what little bit I have learned from my own ordeal, in hopes it will help others.
GG
ggreg,
I'm sorry to read that you're not feeling well. I hope it makes you feel a little better to know that you've given me a little hope that nothing is seriously wrong with me. I took your advice and got the Activia yogurt. How many per day would you suggest I eat? I'm not feeling too bad anymore except I get a round of cramps about once per day usually at night before I go to bed or in the morning before I have a bowel movement. By the way, my stools have been getting harder and harder and today they were like little hard balls. I'm sorry for the explicit discription. I read it could be caused by a colon obstruction, or do you think the H-P could do that too?
Thanks
I'm sorry to read that you're not feeling well. I hope it makes you feel a little better to know that you've given me a little hope that nothing is seriously wrong with me. I took your advice and got the Activia yogurt. How many per day would you suggest I eat? I'm not feeling too bad anymore except I get a round of cramps about once per day usually at night before I go to bed or in the morning before I have a bowel movement. By the way, my stools have been getting harder and harder and today they were like little hard balls. I'm sorry for the explicit discription. I read it could be caused by a colon obstruction, or do you think the H-P could do that too?
Thanks
I heard taking acidophilis is better. It has much more of the good bacteria than yogurt. You can buy it at health food stores. You just take a couple of tablespoons a day and store it in the refridgerator. I took it for awhile after I got off the antibiotics for H.Pylori.
Constipation doesn't necessarly mean bowel obstruction. I had an obstruction in my small intestine and didn't have constipation. I did have a lot of stomach (or general area) pains that would come and go and sometimes diarehea. Are you drinking plenty of water and trying to up your fiber? Try and eat more fruits and veggies and drink lots and lots of water.
I hope you feel better soon too!
Constipation doesn't necessarly mean bowel obstruction. I had an obstruction in my small intestine and didn't have constipation. I did have a lot of stomach (or general area) pains that would come and go and sometimes diarehea. Are you drinking plenty of water and trying to up your fiber? Try and eat more fruits and veggies and drink lots and lots of water.
I hope you feel better soon too!
Athleet,
Thank you for your encouragement.
The antibiotic you took before, for the H. pylori, can cause constipation, which is what those "hard balls" were. That is why Acidophilus milk is good to take afterwards, to get that under control. You asked about how much of the Activia yogurt to take (also contains Acidophilus). On the label, it says to eat one of the little cartons of it daily for two weeks. Me, I only ate half a carton daily. But I'm a small person, and at the time, my appetite was ruined because of my irritable bowel, so I couldn't eat the whole thing. Generally H. pylori doesn't cause constipation.
April's advice is very good, about the water and fruit and vegies and fiber. Salads are very good for digestion. Blueberries on cheerios with Acidophilus milk is good. Also 100 percent whole wheat toast. Drink at least two extra glasses of water in the daytime, make it a lifelong habit. Try to exercise with some regularity.
GG
Thank you for your encouragement.
The antibiotic you took before, for the H. pylori, can cause constipation, which is what those "hard balls" were. That is why Acidophilus milk is good to take afterwards, to get that under control. You asked about how much of the Activia yogurt to take (also contains Acidophilus). On the label, it says to eat one of the little cartons of it daily for two weeks. Me, I only ate half a carton daily. But I'm a small person, and at the time, my appetite was ruined because of my irritable bowel, so I couldn't eat the whole thing. Generally H. pylori doesn't cause constipation.
April's advice is very good, about the water and fruit and vegies and fiber. Salads are very good for digestion. Blueberries on cheerios with Acidophilus milk is good. Also 100 percent whole wheat toast. Drink at least two extra glasses of water in the daytime, make it a lifelong habit. Try to exercise with some regularity.
GG
ggreg and April2,
Thanks for the feedback. My colonoscopy and endo is a week from today. In the meantime I'm continuing to worry. So thanks to you I have people I can communicate with and get some support from. ggreg, I took the Prevpac for the HP about a month or so ago so I doubt it would still cause constipation wouldn't you? Also, remember that my doc diagnosed the HP over the phone based on my symptoms, and when they didn't go away after the Prevpac he decided I must have something else. He said the Prevpac should have taken care of it. That's why I'm now going through all the tests. They said my blood test and ultrasound were "clean". Do you know what serious illnesses can be ruled out if those come back "clean"? I called his office to find out if the HP showed up in my blood test so I can be sure if I ever had it but we missed each other.
Also, regarding eating more fiber, drinking more water and exercising, that's exactly what I was doing. I've always lived a healthy lifestyle like that, but I'm also a constant worrier. My stomach problems started a few months ago and the symptoms have changed ever since, and they are always worse when I'm worrying.
Let me run this by you guys and see if you have any guesses, here's what I have now: I feel ok in the morning, and always have a BM after breakfast, but as the day progresses I start feeling worse. By dinner my lover left side between my belly button and hip cramps up. I also hear and feel my dinner gurgling in my stomach. I try to have a BM to get rid of the feeling and either nothing comes out or it's very little. I also get gassy, but can't push that out either. Have you ever heard of feeling like you have to pass gas, but when you try it feels blocked and doesn't come out? It's almost as if the food I've eaten since my last BM is building up in my colon and blocking it causing the cramps and inability to pass gas. Could that be?
Finally, regarding the Activia, are you saying to eat one container per day? Or one whole 6 pack per day?
Thanks for all your advice.
Athleet
Thanks for the feedback. My colonoscopy and endo is a week from today. In the meantime I'm continuing to worry. So thanks to you I have people I can communicate with and get some support from. ggreg, I took the Prevpac for the HP about a month or so ago so I doubt it would still cause constipation wouldn't you? Also, remember that my doc diagnosed the HP over the phone based on my symptoms, and when they didn't go away after the Prevpac he decided I must have something else. He said the Prevpac should have taken care of it. That's why I'm now going through all the tests. They said my blood test and ultrasound were "clean". Do you know what serious illnesses can be ruled out if those come back "clean"? I called his office to find out if the HP showed up in my blood test so I can be sure if I ever had it but we missed each other.
Also, regarding eating more fiber, drinking more water and exercising, that's exactly what I was doing. I've always lived a healthy lifestyle like that, but I'm also a constant worrier. My stomach problems started a few months ago and the symptoms have changed ever since, and they are always worse when I'm worrying.
Let me run this by you guys and see if you have any guesses, here's what I have now: I feel ok in the morning, and always have a BM after breakfast, but as the day progresses I start feeling worse. By dinner my lover left side between my belly button and hip cramps up. I also hear and feel my dinner gurgling in my stomach. I try to have a BM to get rid of the feeling and either nothing comes out or it's very little. I also get gassy, but can't push that out either. Have you ever heard of feeling like you have to pass gas, but when you try it feels blocked and doesn't come out? It's almost as if the food I've eaten since my last BM is building up in my colon and blocking it causing the cramps and inability to pass gas. Could that be?
Finally, regarding the Activia, are you saying to eat one container per day? Or one whole 6 pack per day?
Thanks for all your advice.
Athleet
Dear Athleet,
You eat ONE single little yogurt cup per day. I'm sorry, I was not clear before. If you eat the whole six-pack, I suspect you'll vomit it up forthwith! Ha! The usage information is on the packaging itself.
You say in your most recent post you are having a regular bowel movement in the mornings! This is fantastic! So, I suspect your evening indigestion is not a big deal, and is on account of gas.
You can get gas from many things, including the constipation and H. pylori we've been talking about, but it can also come from: Heavy meals, skipping lunch, rushing while eating, exercising after eating. When you feel those gas pains strike, you can try an alka seltzer. When I was young, I would eat a huge lunch after church on Sundays, and it always gave me terrible gas pains. My grandmother gave me the alka seltzer trick.
I'm giving more thought to your age, your stress levels, that sort of thing. Athleet, while you may have some sort of dangerous disease eating you alive, which they're going to find out when they do those scope procedures, you also must consider your freak-out levels. Sometimes going through physical difficulties can set off an alarm system in the head. This never-ending ringing goes on and on, you're sick, you know it, and no one is hearing what you hear. This is precisely what happened to me.
This is normal, in my opinion. The body is just trying to protect itself. But if you're a sensitive, like I am, this can bury you alive, to where even though you are better, you can't dig out. Me, I keep trying to find that "off" button on my alarm, and sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. In women like me, doctors say I'm "going through the change" or "it's all in your head." In men, well, they are naturally more courageous and they just go out and buy a sports car.
I don't know if anything I am saying makes sense or helps you. But it's all I know to say. You have indeed become a bundle of nerves, you're over the top, you're falling apart, you think you're going to die, and maybe you are. But you don't know that yet. That's why I'm addressing your emotional state. EVERYONE is going to die. But it is very hard to take a person who is standing up and feeling fine one day, and then kill him dead the next.
Let the doctors do their tests. Keep up with paying attention to your eating habits, try to recall any recent changes in your daily activities, think about why all of a sudden is your tummy growling at you after dinner, concrete knowable things. Health, that's for the doctors. But you CAN do a few little things to help it along, until either they find something or you get well. But one thing I know, it is absolutely incredible what painful physical or mental problems can do to a person.
I could tell you quite the stories about what I've been through. All so personal, all so boring, so strange. It took me years to untangle everything. I'm just telling you a little bit of stuff from what I've learned, to save you the trouble I go through. I'm retired, almost sixty, and I am truly wasted. But you know something, I don't care. I'm still me. And I DID go to hell and back, so I OUGHT to be a little wrung out. Attitude, courage, and heart, THOSE are the things that count in this world.
GG
You eat ONE single little yogurt cup per day. I'm sorry, I was not clear before. If you eat the whole six-pack, I suspect you'll vomit it up forthwith! Ha! The usage information is on the packaging itself.
You say in your most recent post you are having a regular bowel movement in the mornings! This is fantastic! So, I suspect your evening indigestion is not a big deal, and is on account of gas.
You can get gas from many things, including the constipation and H. pylori we've been talking about, but it can also come from: Heavy meals, skipping lunch, rushing while eating, exercising after eating. When you feel those gas pains strike, you can try an alka seltzer. When I was young, I would eat a huge lunch after church on Sundays, and it always gave me terrible gas pains. My grandmother gave me the alka seltzer trick.
I'm giving more thought to your age, your stress levels, that sort of thing. Athleet, while you may have some sort of dangerous disease eating you alive, which they're going to find out when they do those scope procedures, you also must consider your freak-out levels. Sometimes going through physical difficulties can set off an alarm system in the head. This never-ending ringing goes on and on, you're sick, you know it, and no one is hearing what you hear. This is precisely what happened to me.
This is normal, in my opinion. The body is just trying to protect itself. But if you're a sensitive, like I am, this can bury you alive, to where even though you are better, you can't dig out. Me, I keep trying to find that "off" button on my alarm, and sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. In women like me, doctors say I'm "going through the change" or "it's all in your head." In men, well, they are naturally more courageous and they just go out and buy a sports car.
I don't know if anything I am saying makes sense or helps you. But it's all I know to say. You have indeed become a bundle of nerves, you're over the top, you're falling apart, you think you're going to die, and maybe you are. But you don't know that yet. That's why I'm addressing your emotional state. EVERYONE is going to die. But it is very hard to take a person who is standing up and feeling fine one day, and then kill him dead the next.
Let the doctors do their tests. Keep up with paying attention to your eating habits, try to recall any recent changes in your daily activities, think about why all of a sudden is your tummy growling at you after dinner, concrete knowable things. Health, that's for the doctors. But you CAN do a few little things to help it along, until either they find something or you get well. But one thing I know, it is absolutely incredible what painful physical or mental problems can do to a person.
I could tell you quite the stories about what I've been through. All so personal, all so boring, so strange. It took me years to untangle everything. I'm just telling you a little bit of stuff from what I've learned, to save you the trouble I go through. I'm retired, almost sixty, and I am truly wasted. But you know something, I don't care. I'm still me. And I DID go to hell and back, so I OUGHT to be a little wrung out. Attitude, courage, and heart, THOSE are the things that count in this world.
GG
I appreciate all your responses, and I'm very interested and curious to hear some of the stories of what you've been through. I have a feeling I could relate to them.
Here's what happened to me in as short of a version as possible: With wealth, a good job, a nice home, wife and two young children came the stress and worry that someday I would lose it all. 2 years ago I noticed I was dizzy on a daily basis. That began 2 years of every test, drug and doctor available (each time causing me to worry about the findings and sent me into the deepest darkest depression that I have ever experienced including thoughts on how to kill myself) until they decided I have vertigo due to a damaged middle ear. Soon after that anytime I didn't feel good I worried that it was another condition that would begin another 2 years of hell or that the doctors were wrong about the dizziness not being fatal. It began a "I don't care about my body anymore" pattern which led to 5 nights (each separated by a week) of heavy hard liquor drinking and worrying that I was doing something I wasn't suppose to be doing. From that point on I've had stomach trouble. It hurts more when I worry, and almost non-noticeable when I don't. But its there everyday. I just feel that if I can get to a point where I KNOW I don't have a fatal disease I will feel better. That's why I keep trying to get answers before the procedure next week at least to ease my mind until then and to have some faith that the outcome won't be tragic. Thoughts? Comments? Sound familiar?
Here's what happened to me in as short of a version as possible: With wealth, a good job, a nice home, wife and two young children came the stress and worry that someday I would lose it all. 2 years ago I noticed I was dizzy on a daily basis. That began 2 years of every test, drug and doctor available (each time causing me to worry about the findings and sent me into the deepest darkest depression that I have ever experienced including thoughts on how to kill myself) until they decided I have vertigo due to a damaged middle ear. Soon after that anytime I didn't feel good I worried that it was another condition that would begin another 2 years of hell or that the doctors were wrong about the dizziness not being fatal. It began a "I don't care about my body anymore" pattern which led to 5 nights (each separated by a week) of heavy hard liquor drinking and worrying that I was doing something I wasn't suppose to be doing. From that point on I've had stomach trouble. It hurts more when I worry, and almost non-noticeable when I don't. But its there everyday. I just feel that if I can get to a point where I KNOW I don't have a fatal disease I will feel better. That's why I keep trying to get answers before the procedure next week at least to ease my mind until then and to have some faith that the outcome won't be tragic. Thoughts? Comments? Sound familiar?
Hi! Sorry I've been off of this thread for a couple of days. I have been reading your responses though. I could't log in on the site. Some kind of technical problem, no doubt. I like the previous response from ggreg.
We all have something that triggered us into thinking physical things happening to us might be fatal. Mine actually started with when a good friend of mine's husband had a major heart attack a last year. Thank God he lived, as there are those that don't. He has not really changed his lifestyle though, sad. After that every little thing was magnefied exponentially. I started freaking out about every twitch, large or small. Great friends have helped me see that freaking out just makes things worse. I'm not going to say that I'm "not scared" about my colonoscopy next week, but I do want to get it done (need to have it done since I'm over the recommended age) I'm a pretty healthy person and this problem that I'm having with my stomach is probably stress or anxiety related.....
Here's the good thing..............you and I have family and friends that can help us through this. We are both having the test done on the same day,,,so in the meantime, we need to just go about our lives and live in the PRESENT!!!!
Have to cut this short, as I have a meeting...but will check back later now that I can log in again.
All
I'm essentially having the same symptoms that you're having.
We all have something that triggered us into thinking physical things happening to us might be fatal. Mine actually started with when a good friend of mine's husband had a major heart attack a last year. Thank God he lived, as there are those that don't. He has not really changed his lifestyle though, sad. After that every little thing was magnefied exponentially. I started freaking out about every twitch, large or small. Great friends have helped me see that freaking out just makes things worse. I'm not going to say that I'm "not scared" about my colonoscopy next week, but I do want to get it done (need to have it done since I'm over the recommended age) I'm a pretty healthy person and this problem that I'm having with my stomach is probably stress or anxiety related.....
Here's the good thing..............you and I have family and friends that can help us through this. We are both having the test done on the same day,,,so in the meantime, we need to just go about our lives and live in the PRESENT!!!!
Have to cut this short, as I have a meeting...but will check back later now that I can log in again.
All
I'm essentially having the same symptoms that you're having.
Welcome back. I wondered where you went since you started this whole blog! I'm glad you've been following along. You, ggreg and April2 have really helped me through this. I know that sounds shallow but you guys can relate, and my family and friends don't take my worries seriously. I appreciate your encouragement. I made my story as short as possible, but I left out that I too have a good friend whose wife died at age 30 of breast cancer. She appeared healthy and happy and then she felt something and proceeded to wither away. That made me realize how fragile our lives are. When I was in my deep suicidal depression I went to a therapist and wound up getting antideppresents to get me through. You're right, every little bump and pain throws me into a downward spiral. I so badly want to get back to being healthy. I worked out and ate right for years and years until the whole thing started with my vertigo and now my stomach.
Hopefully ggreg is reading this: I heard from my doc's office today. They DID NOT test for H-Pylori in my blood test even though that's what they original suspected. So I really don't know if I have it or not. They said the colonoscopy and endo will tell if I have it. They said my ultrasound showed my gallbladder, liver and pancreas to be "clear" which I asked if that means no stones and no masses and they said yes. But they didn't look at my stomach or intestines which is what the colon/endo will do. I also asked if my blood test would have shown an infection and they said yes, but it was clean. So I guess I can worry a little less. By the way, if my colon/endo is clean, my doc wants me to get another ultrasound but with a radioactive fluid injected into me to see if my gallbladder is working properly. So I'll have another test to worry about, although the colon/endo is the one with the results I fear the most. I'm not sure why my doc keeps going after the gallbladder. I don't have heartburn anymore. I just have what I described above...side cramps, gas, hard to pass stool, hard to pass gas, gurgling and occassional upset stomach. All that almost always after I eat, but mostly when I'm stressed and worried. But the symptoms have changed over the last 3 months.
I'll leave you with this you can related too: I was watching Ray Romano doing a stand-up routine on tv. He said when you reach a certain age you start worrying about every little bump you find. He said one day he felt a bump on his side and freaked out until he felt the exact same bump on his other side. He said..."oh wait a minute, here's one on this side too! They're twin bumps! They must be normal...nevermind I'm ok."
Hopefully ggreg is reading this: I heard from my doc's office today. They DID NOT test for H-Pylori in my blood test even though that's what they original suspected. So I really don't know if I have it or not. They said the colonoscopy and endo will tell if I have it. They said my ultrasound showed my gallbladder, liver and pancreas to be "clear" which I asked if that means no stones and no masses and they said yes. But they didn't look at my stomach or intestines which is what the colon/endo will do. I also asked if my blood test would have shown an infection and they said yes, but it was clean. So I guess I can worry a little less. By the way, if my colon/endo is clean, my doc wants me to get another ultrasound but with a radioactive fluid injected into me to see if my gallbladder is working properly. So I'll have another test to worry about, although the colon/endo is the one with the results I fear the most. I'm not sure why my doc keeps going after the gallbladder. I don't have heartburn anymore. I just have what I described above...side cramps, gas, hard to pass stool, hard to pass gas, gurgling and occassional upset stomach. All that almost always after I eat, but mostly when I'm stressed and worried. But the symptoms have changed over the last 3 months.
I'll leave you with this you can related too: I was watching Ray Romano doing a stand-up routine on tv. He said when you reach a certain age you start worrying about every little bump you find. He said one day he felt a bump on his side and freaked out until he felt the exact same bump on his other side. He said..."oh wait a minute, here's one on this side too! They're twin bumps! They must be normal...nevermind I'm ok."
Dear Athleet,
Funny. Yeah, there comes a time in everyone's life when you realize the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. Shocking stuff, but you can get used to it. I found your story about your life obstacles interesting. My husband has vertigo, and I can tell you how it affected him. Men have it hammered in their head that part of their purpose is to go out and make a living, kind of like women should be mothers. Vertigo interferes with doing work, and this upset my husband very much. There is an astronaut who was in the Apollo program, almost got his shot at the moon, and vertigo took him down, literally. But to remind you of that well-worn story, he was still able to participate with NASA doing other things, and eventually they got him on a Shuttle.
Still, this is not to say that you and Smilie don't have real life-threatening health issues. H. pylori can eat away at the digestive tract, sometimes producing ulcers, all the way up to lymphoma, like April was talking about. As I said, it's up to the docs, that's what THEY do. But I see no harm in demanding a specific H. pylori test, for crying out loud.
Time healed my husband. He's just two years from retirement now, so he's a happier camper. But vertigo scared the heck out of him, shook him at his foundation. Me, accepting aging was what worked for me, at least my mental attitude. One day I realized even though my body changed, I was still me inside. Then later, this notion locked in, click, when I stepped out of myself and laughed at how goofed up I was, got easier to quit trying so hard. Cher said it best, when asked if romance might still be in her future even though she hit the big 5-0. She said, "Well, I guess if grass can grow through concrete, there's still hope for me."
As for my story, Athleet, well, suffice it to say I was in a car wreck as a young adult, broke my back, my boyfriend was killed, I was institutionalized twice, and to this day, I cannot ride in a car, I limp, and I can't even art a bad painting anymore. So, when I see people falling apart, I empathize. And since I have knit up the raveled sleeve of care rather a lot, I can't help but lean over and whisper an encouraging word when I am called.
Smilie, sorry I've hijacked your thread. And sorry, Athleet, but I've gone way off point here. But I reckon sometimes it helps people to know they're not alone, which is why there are forum support groups, to get some information "from the far side." Now, if I can just remember what in the world we've been talking about (one of MY "issues), I'll jump back in.
Best regards to you all, GG
Funny. Yeah, there comes a time in everyone's life when you realize the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. Shocking stuff, but you can get used to it. I found your story about your life obstacles interesting. My husband has vertigo, and I can tell you how it affected him. Men have it hammered in their head that part of their purpose is to go out and make a living, kind of like women should be mothers. Vertigo interferes with doing work, and this upset my husband very much. There is an astronaut who was in the Apollo program, almost got his shot at the moon, and vertigo took him down, literally. But to remind you of that well-worn story, he was still able to participate with NASA doing other things, and eventually they got him on a Shuttle.
Still, this is not to say that you and Smilie don't have real life-threatening health issues. H. pylori can eat away at the digestive tract, sometimes producing ulcers, all the way up to lymphoma, like April was talking about. As I said, it's up to the docs, that's what THEY do. But I see no harm in demanding a specific H. pylori test, for crying out loud.
Time healed my husband. He's just two years from retirement now, so he's a happier camper. But vertigo scared the heck out of him, shook him at his foundation. Me, accepting aging was what worked for me, at least my mental attitude. One day I realized even though my body changed, I was still me inside. Then later, this notion locked in, click, when I stepped out of myself and laughed at how goofed up I was, got easier to quit trying so hard. Cher said it best, when asked if romance might still be in her future even though she hit the big 5-0. She said, "Well, I guess if grass can grow through concrete, there's still hope for me."
As for my story, Athleet, well, suffice it to say I was in a car wreck as a young adult, broke my back, my boyfriend was killed, I was institutionalized twice, and to this day, I cannot ride in a car, I limp, and I can't even art a bad painting anymore. So, when I see people falling apart, I empathize. And since I have knit up the raveled sleeve of care rather a lot, I can't help but lean over and whisper an encouraging word when I am called.
Smilie, sorry I've hijacked your thread. And sorry, Athleet, but I've gone way off point here. But I reckon sometimes it helps people to know they're not alone, which is why there are forum support groups, to get some information "from the far side." Now, if I can just remember what in the world we've been talking about (one of MY "issues), I'll jump back in.
Best regards to you all, GG
I always say I appreciate your responses, but with all due respect there's no need to remind people like Smilie and I that sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train, or that we could actually have life threatening diseases. We already think that way. That's why were are blogging in hope of someone giving us words of encouragement and hope. We're blogging because we're scared and worried that it IS something serious.
I respect what you've been through and you do seem to know a lot about our problems. I'm sorry to hear about the problems in your past, but it's good to know that someone can triumph like you have. My vertigo did the same to me that it did to your husband. I was a 25 year old in a 44 year old's body mentally and physically. I took such good care of myself that I was able to take on guys half my age. This is not to sound egotistical. It's just to illustrate how I went from that to this. The vertigo stripped me down and turned me inside out. I went from wrestling with my young children to sitting on a chair afraid to do anything physical for fear of being dizzy. After a very dark people I was able to resume my healthy living. I lost 37 pounds since Jan. of this year and then whamo! Stomach trouble. I'm not as depressed as I was before, I'm just tired of tests and docters and afraid that my luck on passing tests will end with the one next week. So I turn to others like you to give me a word of advice.
At this point I just want to get the test over with and enjoy the holidays. Unless of course my results are bad. By the way, I've heard the colon/endo is a breeze, but I've also heard that preparing for it is the worst part. I guess you drink something the day before and spend the day going to the bathroom? The instructions they sent to me said to not be far from a toilet 24 hours before the procedure!
I respect what you've been through and you do seem to know a lot about our problems. I'm sorry to hear about the problems in your past, but it's good to know that someone can triumph like you have. My vertigo did the same to me that it did to your husband. I was a 25 year old in a 44 year old's body mentally and physically. I took such good care of myself that I was able to take on guys half my age. This is not to sound egotistical. It's just to illustrate how I went from that to this. The vertigo stripped me down and turned me inside out. I went from wrestling with my young children to sitting on a chair afraid to do anything physical for fear of being dizzy. After a very dark people I was able to resume my healthy living. I lost 37 pounds since Jan. of this year and then whamo! Stomach trouble. I'm not as depressed as I was before, I'm just tired of tests and docters and afraid that my luck on passing tests will end with the one next week. So I turn to others like you to give me a word of advice.
At this point I just want to get the test over with and enjoy the holidays. Unless of course my results are bad. By the way, I've heard the colon/endo is a breeze, but I've also heard that preparing for it is the worst part. I guess you drink something the day before and spend the day going to the bathroom? The instructions they sent to me said to not be far from a toilet 24 hours before the procedure!
Dear Athleet,
So sorry about my poor analogy about the train. I was trying to be funny. I just meant when we reach a certain age, we recognize we're not invincible. That's life, that's all. I've just been trying to show you that while situation can be unnerving, others have passed that way before, and the view improves. And I only meant to show respect to your concerns about your illnesses when I said they might be serious. Oh, dear. I've got foot in mouth disease, for sure! But I'm sure you understand why.
Yes, on the colonoscopy preparation, you have the urge to go to the bathroom a lot. The bowel is cleaning itself out, and by golly, it's a gonna clean out! But quickly the waste goes clear and you're done. Believe it or not, my exam last year was during the Christmas holidays, and towards the end of my relationship with the toilet, I had to entertain family who came in from out of town, and the next day went in for my procedure. So, it's a little like diarrhea, you feel rather goofed-up while it's going on, but eventually you make it. I was exhausted and laughing hysterically by the time my husband got me to the exam, but the procedure, gosh, that twilight anesthesia was the best I felt the entire year.
I'll step out of here now. I've done enough damage. You'll do fine with the whole thing. You are just a little worried about changes in your life. And vertigo just caught you off guard, you'll get used to it, just make a few mental adjustments, and everything will return to normal. (Or as a friend of mine likes to say, subnormal. Ha! :)
GG
So sorry about my poor analogy about the train. I was trying to be funny. I just meant when we reach a certain age, we recognize we're not invincible. That's life, that's all. I've just been trying to show you that while situation can be unnerving, others have passed that way before, and the view improves. And I only meant to show respect to your concerns about your illnesses when I said they might be serious. Oh, dear. I've got foot in mouth disease, for sure! But I'm sure you understand why.
Yes, on the colonoscopy preparation, you have the urge to go to the bathroom a lot. The bowel is cleaning itself out, and by golly, it's a gonna clean out! But quickly the waste goes clear and you're done. Believe it or not, my exam last year was during the Christmas holidays, and towards the end of my relationship with the toilet, I had to entertain family who came in from out of town, and the next day went in for my procedure. So, it's a little like diarrhea, you feel rather goofed-up while it's going on, but eventually you make it. I was exhausted and laughing hysterically by the time my husband got me to the exam, but the procedure, gosh, that twilight anesthesia was the best I felt the entire year.
I'll step out of here now. I've done enough damage. You'll do fine with the whole thing. You are just a little worried about changes in your life. And vertigo just caught you off guard, you'll get used to it, just make a few mental adjustments, and everything will return to normal. (Or as a friend of mine likes to say, subnormal. Ha! :)
GG
Hi! I can certainly relate to a lot of what you are saying. I actually have my colonoscopy still scheduled for this Wednesday, Dec 19th, but decided to see anther gastro doc yesterday. The one that's doing my test on Wednesday only spent ten minutes with me (it was more like a consult). I needed more than that. So a friend referred me to this other person and I felt very informed when I left his office yesterday. He did say that the blood could be from hemorroids because as you strain those muscles are straining to do their job and not to worry. He also said that "STRESS" will cause the constipation as well. Well with worry comes stress!!!! It happens to a lot of people. He said to go ahead and have my test done with the other doc and good luck and call his office if I have any questions at all. I wanted to have my colonoscopy and endo done at the same time, but he said that's too much gas for the stomach at one time to handle (but left it up to me) I'll just get the colonoscopy done and then do the endo after the first of the year. To be honest, I''m "tested out."
Just want to say I'm here praying for us both and know that everything will be okay. I've been keeping busy and trying to push that test out of my mind and I suggest you do the same. The outcome (statistically) is in our favor....when our thoughts, feelings and actions that we put into the universe are postitive, they come back to us in a positive manner. I think the guy who wrote the book "Don't Sweat the Samll Stuff" should have included the colonoscopy test in there as well. Sounds like we have really dedicated ourselves to staying healthy (this year), and whatever the future holds that will certainly be a plus...as opposed to people that don't take care of themselves.
Elizabeth Gilbert (author of "Eat, Pray, Love) said, I want to have a bigger, smaller life; meaning more time with family,more joy, happiness, HEALTH, books, friends, and smaller as in less material things. That certainly would apply to me at this point in my life. Just give me the simple life.....everybody on this blog is here for you!!!! (hi, ggreg!! really enjoy your imput.. Thanks for the words of encouragement and frankness)
Just want to say I'm here praying for us both and know that everything will be okay. I've been keeping busy and trying to push that test out of my mind and I suggest you do the same. The outcome (statistically) is in our favor....when our thoughts, feelings and actions that we put into the universe are postitive, they come back to us in a positive manner. I think the guy who wrote the book "Don't Sweat the Samll Stuff" should have included the colonoscopy test in there as well. Sounds like we have really dedicated ourselves to staying healthy (this year), and whatever the future holds that will certainly be a plus...as opposed to people that don't take care of themselves.
Elizabeth Gilbert (author of "Eat, Pray, Love) said, I want to have a bigger, smaller life; meaning more time with family,more joy, happiness, HEALTH, books, friends, and smaller as in less material things. That certainly would apply to me at this point in my life. Just give me the simple life.....everybody on this blog is here for you!!!! (hi, ggreg!! really enjoy your imput.. Thanks for the words of encouragement and frankness)
Byt the way, as far as the HPylori, the new gastro doc said to wait until after the holidays to take the PrevPAc as it has certain side effects that I may not want to deal with until after the New Year. But to be sure and take the antibiotics. Then when I'm finished with them, we'll do a breath test to make sure that it's not active in my body anymore. Just thought that I would address that. Suggestion: I would get a breath test to conclusively know whether you have the HP or not.I hear it can be difficult to get rid of!!!
Take care
Take care
Hmm, that's interesting. My Gastro doc doesn't seem to have any problem doing a colonoscopy and endoscopy done at the same time. He says it's pretty common. I'm scheduled to get on done early January. I'm not really looking forward to it either. They still want to confirm Crohns and see if there's anything else going on, I guess.
I hope they find out what's going on with you. I'll have to check out that book you mentioned. I love to read! :)
I hope they find out what's going on with you. I'll have to check out that book you mentioned. I love to read! :)
Ggreg there's no need to "step out" of this discussion. We all appreciate your words of wisdom and encouragement. You've been through what we're going through. I never meant to cause you to back out of our conversation. I would like to hear from you. You are right, when I was young I was wild, careless and fearless and never gave it a second thought that anything could happen to me physically. I still have that "youthful" mindset, but my vertigo and now my stomach along with friends dying have certainly proved to me that I am not invincible especially as I get older. So yes, you are correct and I'm glad you reminded me of that. I agree with you that the view will improve. I just want to get past these tests. I don't feel like I've been a very good person, and there's a part of me which I can't understand that gets these urges to do things that aren't right. No, I'm not talking about anything illegal or anything harmful to others. I'm talking about unethical or immoral thoughts and actions. One day I'll be buying a Thanksgiving turkey for the homeless, and the next I'll do something that will completely overtake me with guilt afterwards. Where am I going with this? I think it plays into me thinking the worst with every illness and test because I feel I deserve the worst. I believe in God, but I have a hard time believing that I don't deserve to be punished by him or that I deserve to be forgiven.
I totally agree with Smilie that I want and need to go back to what matters most: my family, friends and faith. I enjoy staying home with my kids, watching a movie with my wife and watching sports by myself. I just don't understand why I do things that cause me so much guilt that I worry, then stress, and feel ill and then think I'm going to die or get horrible results from a test like the one I'm having Wednesday.
Ok enough of that....Smilie, I agree with April on getting the colon/endo at the same time. Why do you want to put yourself through going back for another test at another time when you can have both done in one visit while your asleep and hopefully walk away knowing you're ok? What if your doc says your colon is clean? Then you'll have to wait until you get your endo tested before you can find out if that's clean too. I've never heard of the gas thing. I think if that's true then why would so many docs suggest getting both done at once. It sounds very common to me. I think you will avoid a lot of additional worry and stress if you do both at once.
I don't know if I told you, but I have hemmorroids that bother me from time to time and when they do I have very light blood on the toilet paper. So that really isn't anything to worry about. By the way have your symptoms changed at all? And what are you still experiencing? Did the last doc give you any other advice or info?
I'm now on day 3 of NO stomach trouble. Maybe it's thanks to ggreg's advice on the Activia which I eat everyday. Or maybe what I had bothering me is getting better. However I'm still going through with the test so I can hopefully have more peace of mind. Between the tests for my stomach and the tests I had for my vertigo, almost everything will have been tested in the last 2 years. So it's my hope that I can finally move on, not do anything anymore that makes me feel guilty and worry, and enjoy life the way it's meant to be enjoyed. I pray these tests will allow me to do that, and for you too.
And what about you April? What symptoms do you still have?
ggreg, that's amazing that you entertained for the holidays while preparing for your colonoscopy. Again, your reassurance is appreciated. Yes, my favorite part will be the drugging. It's so good to know that you can be put out and have something done without feeling a thing. I had sinus surgery this year and it seemed like I was out for a second. I like the part of going home and going to sleep afterwards. The only drawback is that I'm currently on vacation from work and I will be spending it worrying about, preparing for and having an endo/colon procedure. I go back to work the next day!
Thanks everyone for the words..I look to hearing from all of you.
I totally agree with Smilie that I want and need to go back to what matters most: my family, friends and faith. I enjoy staying home with my kids, watching a movie with my wife and watching sports by myself. I just don't understand why I do things that cause me so much guilt that I worry, then stress, and feel ill and then think I'm going to die or get horrible results from a test like the one I'm having Wednesday.
Ok enough of that....Smilie, I agree with April on getting the colon/endo at the same time. Why do you want to put yourself through going back for another test at another time when you can have both done in one visit while your asleep and hopefully walk away knowing you're ok? What if your doc says your colon is clean? Then you'll have to wait until you get your endo tested before you can find out if that's clean too. I've never heard of the gas thing. I think if that's true then why would so many docs suggest getting both done at once. It sounds very common to me. I think you will avoid a lot of additional worry and stress if you do both at once.
I don't know if I told you, but I have hemmorroids that bother me from time to time and when they do I have very light blood on the toilet paper. So that really isn't anything to worry about. By the way have your symptoms changed at all? And what are you still experiencing? Did the last doc give you any other advice or info?
I'm now on day 3 of NO stomach trouble. Maybe it's thanks to ggreg's advice on the Activia which I eat everyday. Or maybe what I had bothering me is getting better. However I'm still going through with the test so I can hopefully have more peace of mind. Between the tests for my stomach and the tests I had for my vertigo, almost everything will have been tested in the last 2 years. So it's my hope that I can finally move on, not do anything anymore that makes me feel guilty and worry, and enjoy life the way it's meant to be enjoyed. I pray these tests will allow me to do that, and for you too.
And what about you April? What symptoms do you still have?
ggreg, that's amazing that you entertained for the holidays while preparing for your colonoscopy. Again, your reassurance is appreciated. Yes, my favorite part will be the drugging. It's so good to know that you can be put out and have something done without feeling a thing. I had sinus surgery this year and it seemed like I was out for a second. I like the part of going home and going to sleep afterwards. The only drawback is that I'm currently on vacation from work and I will be spending it worrying about, preparing for and having an endo/colon procedure. I go back to work the next day!
Thanks everyone for the words..I look to hearing from all of you.
Oh athleet, how I wish people would understand the grace of God. Don't you know because of what Jesus did on the cross for us that we all are now living in grace? Don't you know that none of us deserves God or heaven or a second, third, fourth chance? We all fall short of the glory of God, every single one of us. Every single one of us is a sinner. No one is better or worse than the other. He has offered such a simple solution that people just don't seem to get! I guess because it really is so simple! He offers his salvation and forgiveness for all who seek it and seek him. All you have to do is trust in him. Will you fall every day and sin again? Of course. We all do. You just pick yourself back up and ask for forgiveness again and keep going. He made it so simple that even a child can understand! That's why he said look to the little children and follow what they do. They simply trust. He said the kingdom of God belong to the little children. Not because they're so good, simply because they just trust and believe. I hope this helps in some small way. I really wish people would get this. Read Romans 8:35-39. It says nothing can seperate us from the love of Christ, NOTHING! Start looking up God's promises for yourself and stand on them. Read the New Testament and get to know who Jesus is. Pray and ask him to reveal himself to you. He will. All you have to do is ask.
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