Colonoscopy results came back normal, still have various symptoms, some getting worse.

[Lop Eared Smiles]

Hi there,

I've been quiet on here for a while because I've been waiting for the results from my colonoscopy biopsies. I got them the other day, and everything's completely normal. Of course, it's not that I *want* to have IBD, but at least if they found something they could treat it. Now it's back to square one. I'm seeing my consultant at the end of May, and I want to be prepared for it.

I'd like to list my symptoms here, and see if anyone can relate and advise.

Non-bowel: dermatitis / dry patches on elbows and knees / occassional eye inflammation / very stiff and sore knees/ 'twinges' of sharp pain at the back of my knee / general, quite severe fatigue / occassional back spasms which last for a few hours.

Bowel related: loose stools every day, usually two such movements every day, maybe three. But they are quite unpleasant / On two occasions I've passed blood. The first time was after I tried glucosamine, the second time was after I was a bit constipated the day before. Quite a lot of blood though / A near constant feeling of 'needing to go' and feeling 'full'/abdominal discomfort and pain, usually on my right side, which often distends a tad / Heartburn quite regularly
---
But the one that's causing me the most worry right now is some sort of rectal/anal pain, and I really need some reassurance or something about this. For years I've always had occasional anal pain. Just a sudden stabbing sensation, and it would go away. A few weeks ago they started getting worse. But the last week has been dreadful. Last week I was just urinating, when suddenly I got that pain that seemed to start in my rectum, and shot straight through to my groin area, if that makes sense, like it went up into me. I tried going to the loo again a couple of hours later, and I got better. At the time I was getting occassional attacks of the pain, but nothing unbearable. It happened again on Friday, and Saturday, if I recall.

But last night was the worst yet. It started as normal, rectal pain when urinating. Stopped urinating, thought I'd try again later. Then I went around feeding the rabbits, and...perhaps every 10 seconds the pain would come. The more I moved the worse it was. Eventually I thought I can't do this, so I went to lie down on the bed. I was getting the pain for the next hour even though I was staying as still as possible. Once I tried to sit back in the bed a bit, but screamed because of the pain. After an hour or so, it began to fade...but it was a very long hour. I know no-one ever says that their pain is 10/10 on the scale, but this honestly feels like a 9, maybe 8 at the very least.

So, I'm pretty scared...what's more confusing is the colonoscopy showed no fissures, no hemorrhoids, just nothing... Has anyone had something similar? I was thinking it is some kind of nerve disorder causing all this, and I may have IBS which fills in the rest?

What do you think I should say to the consultant? My plan was to tell him all my symptoms and just ask him to tell me what he thinks it might be. I'm really, really not keen on the thought of another colonoscopy, though. I didn't cope well at all last time. I might ring the hospital to see if I can see him earlier, because this pain is scaring me... =/

Sorry for the long whinge here, I'm sorry I probably went on too long. =/

(Edit: Just an update, it's back again tonight. Just tried to urinate and the closer I got to urinating, the more the rectal pain was brewing...really anxious now...)

 

[Scipio]

Sounds like it might be proctalgia fugax. If it is that, it's very painful but fortunately not serious in terms of your actual health - just a very annoying pain.

https://www.healthline.com/health/proctalgia-fugax


Be sure to mention this problem to your gastroenterologist.

 

[Lop Eared Smiles]

Sounds like it might be proctalgia fugax. If it is that, it's very painful but fortunately serious in terms of your actual health - just a very annoying pain.

https://www.healthline.com/health/proctalgia-fugax


Be sure to mention this problem to your gastroenterologist.

Yeah, I did look that up this evening. I was a bit sceptical when it said they mostly occur at night and can wake you up. I've never had them after I actually go to bed. But then again, it usually comes on at about 7-8pm, I guess that's classed as night? And since the colonoscopy essentially ruled out other causes (I guess), then it's all it could be... I know it could be worse, but when I see that one of the treatments is warm baths... *sigh* Most conditions I have are basically untreatable. I'll be sure to mention it to my consultant though, don't worry.

I'm relieved at the same time, though, since it's nothing worse.

 

[fire bob]

I'm currently a true believer in getting a CT with contrast and full blood work when getting a colonoscopy. I say this as each test points out different parts of the story. If the test are spread out you can not get a base line for the whole picture.

With out a true base line for the Dr to look at it's more of a guessing game when it comes time to rule stuff out.

 

[Lop Eared Smiles]

I'm currently a true believer in getting a CT with contrast and full blood work when getting a colonoscopy. I say this as each test points out different parts of the story. If the test are spread out you can not get a base line for the whole picture.

With out a true base line for the Dr to look at it's more of a guessing game when it comes time to rule stuff out.

This is probably a daft question, but what does CT stand for? I probably do know, but I forget things a lot...

They took a blood test during my pre-operative appointment a few days before, but on the day itself it was just sedation, normal colonoscopy and biopsies. I'm hoping they've got enough to go on, because I really don't want more uncertainty.

 

[fire bob]

CT scan or a CAT scan is a computerized axial tomography.
It's a bunch of cross section xrays that they can put back together to forum a 3d computer image.


A colonoscopy gives them a look at the inside surface of whats going on. The biopsy's lets them run test. The CT scan lets them see how thick the walls of the colon is. The CT scan can also show other issues. The blood work can rule out or point them to look for different things.

 

[Lop Eared Smiles]

CT scan or a CAT scan is a computerized axial tomography.
It's a bunch of cross section xrays that they can put back together to forum a 3d computer image.


A colonoscopy gives them a look at the inside surface of whats going on. The biopsy's lets them run test. The CT scan lets them see how thick the walls of the colon is. The CT scan can also show other issues. The blood work can rule out or point them to look for different things.

Thanks for that information. I'll mention it to my consultant when I see him again. If he thinks it's necessary I think it's worth a shot. And hopefully it shouldn't be as unpleasant as the colonoscopy was.