Been to Hospital today!

[Theresa]

Hi,

I have been to the hospital today to see my surgeon, and feel a very confused! I had sugery in June for a suspected appendicitis which turned out to be a cyst on my bowel and they said they found IBD. I have recently had a small bowel follow through and went to see the surgeon today. ( I have suffered with my bowels for years and have tended to just live with it when I seem to have a flare up!)

He gave me a rectal exam and told me to squeeze his finger whilst it was inserted which I found really hard. The outcome of the follow through is that I have a very very fast transit!

I sat with the surgeon and he listened to my symptoms, constant D pain in right side, mouth ulcers blood on wiping (not always) weight loss although I am a big girl (and quite like the weight I have lost) constantly running to the loo and having accidents. He has said that the musceles inside my anus are very weak?

He wants me to have a Colonoscopy and spoke about Crohns and IBD and said that he will probably refer me to a GI? and to St. Thomas's hospital in London. He has advised me to continue with the pain killers and to take imodium to make my D more formed! is this normal?

I came away thinking more test, and am not looking forward to the Colonoscopy, I feel a bit down and its almost like when will i get a diagnosis. I am sure my conditions are mild compaired to what I have read on here, but would appreciate anyones views. I have found this site to be really helpful.

Theresa

 

[Cookie]

Hi Theresa...welcome to the forum. I know it can be scary to go through all of these tests, but the not knowing is the hardest part. Once you get a proper diagnosis, there are lots of treatment options available that will hopefully make you feel a lot better. From what you described, it sounds to me like you very well could have IBD. The colonoscopy should help with the diagnosis if that's the case. You really need not worry about the colonoscopy. The prep is the worst part, and even that isn't as bad now that they have a bunch of different options. They will give you a sedative for the procedure and most likely you will not remember a thing! I hope you get some of the answers you are looking for. Let us know how it goes, ok?

 

[Theresa]

Thank you, yeh I was worrying about if I would be sedated. And you are right its the not knowing what is wrong with you that makes it worse.

Thanks I have found eveyone on here really friendly and helpful and it makes you feel not so alone!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi there, Shady is right the prepping is the worst part, I have had many and my Gi puts me out, so the worst is clearing yourself out. Not sure if you have Pico Salax to take rather than Kleen prep, it takes like orange flavour and only drink 2 cups. Also IBS is not fun, best to stay away from dairy products, that makes it worse. Imodium is a choice of many but pain killers in my opinion should only be for pain. Ask your doc for Cholestyramine, you take the powder a few times a day or less, less invasive and it is covered by insurance. You are not alone, the best peace of mind is getting help from those who have it, because we the people know what you are going through. Dont stress on the colonoscopy, let us know what happens. Take care.

 

[fenway1971]

Hi Theresa and welcome!

This is a great place to find answers and support. Don't fret about the colonoscopy. The procedure itself isn't scary at all. The prep the night before is an adventure, but here in the US we have something called Miralax which I've used the last few times. Don't know if it's in the UK or not.

You'll find good diet and treatment tips on here.

 

[Theresa]

Thanks Jettalady and fenway,

In the UK things seem to happen slower and I have been told by the surgeon that I will recieve a letter and a perscription to take the laxatives the day before to ensure that my bowel is completly empty. I hope they do put me out as I would prefer that. I am hoping that they finally do find what is causing my problems as it so hard to live with when I am having a flare up. Do you guys also always have the low dull pain in the right side?

I also mentioned in my post that they had found my bowels showed signs of IBD when I was operated on and having pain at a 10 and explosive D. If I am not having a flare up at the time will they pick up signs from the Colonoscopy?

Has anyone else also been advised that their muscels in the retrum do not work well and are weak? Sorry for so many questions its all really new to me.

 

[fenway1971]

Yes. If you have IBD, they will notice it in colonoscopy, flare or not. They'll take biopsies to diagnose.

I haven't had the muscle problem. But, check around. I'm sure others have.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Thanks Jettalady and fenway,

In the UK things seem to happen slower and I have been told by the surgeon that I will recieve a letter and a perscription to take the laxatives the day before to ensure that my bowel is completly empty. I hope they do put me out as I would prefer that. I am hoping that they finally do find what is causing my problems as it so hard to live with when I am having a flare up. Do you guys also always have the low dull pain in the right side?

I also mentioned in my post that they had found my bowels showed signs of IBD when I was operated on and having pain at a 10 and explosive D. If I am not having a flare up at the time will they pick up signs from the Colonoscopy?

Has anyone else also been advised that their muscels in the retrum do not work well and are weak? Sorry for so many questions its all really new to me.

Questions and answers are never too long or too unecessary, it is why we are all here in the first place. I have had Crohns over 15 years and have always had a dull pain, sometimes dont feel anything even after 2 surgeries. Having said this, it is my experience only, not everyone has the same symptoms or medications. Using laxatives can make your bowels lazy if over use, use a natural fibre pill instead. I use Senokot, works naturally and no cramping. A colonoscopy will show signs of inflammation and narrowing, and Crohn's disease and ulcers. You will in time figure out what works for you, never easy task but you will. Try not to stress out, makes flaring worse. You will be just fine, ask all the questions you want, no stupid question, or stupid answers. This disease, any form of IBD or IBS is very hard to diagnose. Hang in there ok?

 

[bella_sky]

Hi hun! The colonoscopy isnt nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, its very decent and quick actually. The hardest part is getting all the drink down the day before, (stay close to a bathroom!!!), then once you get to the office its smooth sailing. Diagnosis comes in a week or two and you'll be referred to another specialist and need more tests like me, or you will be able to walk away with peace the day of diagnosis and medication that will have you feeling better in a matter of weeks. Best of luck to you

 

[vintage-girl]

Hi theresa I too had my appendicits taken out which was of course not appendictises { spelling sorry!] I then had a colooscpy which diagnosed crohn's I also had a barium follow though today and the doctor said it was the quickest he'd every seen! he did not mention my mussles it will be interesting to see if my GI doc when I see him in a few weeks! I know it easyer said than done but try to foucs on getting to the colospy appiot im sure there find out whats wrong. Do you have a date yet and also do you still have pain?

 

[Theresa]

Jettalady, Shantel, bella sky, & Vintage girl, thank you for your posts these are really helpful, no I do not have a date for the Colonoscopy yet hopefully it will not be too far away. In England we do seem to have to wait for appointments a bit longer than in the states Australia etc.

Vintage-girl, oh glad to hear that I am not the only person who when they had the follow though it went through so so quick. If you do not mind me asking what area in the UK are you? and what hospital are you under? I have a dull ache all the time but this gets really bad when i am flaring. I am really pleased to read from these posts that even if I am not in a flare up that they will be able to see from the colonoscopy and hopefully I will get a diagnosis. Thanks Guys!

 

[vintage-girl]

hi theresa Im just outside of london your lucky to have st thomas wow ive got watford ! Ive heard your hospital good so good luck
but i think in you should try and push things forward a bit more as they left me waiting and i ened in hospital for 4 weeks ! so keep on at them even if it means lots of trips to the A&e to get there you remember that you deserve it and you pay for it please keep me updated and if i can help you with anything else just ask ill try me best to help ya!

 

[egg]

Hi Im new to all this and am in the south coast of Uk its been a while since I first went to the doctor with D and a pain in my right side I am having a Gastroscopy and a Colonoscopy on 20th October. i have to take all that stuff the day before. I am totally scared but will be relived when its all over. From what my surgeon says he thinks its Crohns but nothing is written in stone, Anyway welcome Im new to and have found nothing but good and helpful advice on this site thank god for it x

 

[Theresa]

Vintage-girl and egg,

Thank you for your posts and advice, good luck egg with your Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy on 20th I do not have a date for mine yet, please let me know what its like even if its painful as I would really like to know. I like you have been told they think its Crohns but have nothing written in stone. At the moment I am not suffering from D but still going about 7 times a day and its painful, I get a searing pain and go all clammy, although i have not had any bleeding since my last flare up which is good. The pain in my right side seems to always be there a dull ache all the time, is that what yours is like?

 

[Theresa]

Thanks Muddin Gal,
Have my date now prep tomororw and colonoscopy on 4th just want to get it over and done with now. i am then going on holiday for a week of sun, my partner booked this and said it will do me good to rest. Will keep you all posted.

 

[forum contributor]

Good luck on Wed, Theresa. Let us know how everything goes for you.

And, have a great, relaxing time!!!!!! You sure need it.