Stupid question, I'm sure but...

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Joined
Jun 10, 2011
Messages
98
I know this is probably me over-reacting but I need to check and I think you all can help. I've been diagnosed with IBS but have been asked to have a second opinion done due to severe weight loss (40 pounds), bleeding, increasing pain and lack of appetite. Since March of 2011, I have had diarrhea at least 3-7 times a day without fail and it has gotten steadily worse. On Sunday I woke up with a bald patch on my head (pretty traumatic for a 35 year old woman) and also noticed that my pain was bit worse. On Monday, I noticed my diarrhea was a bit less and pain was more. Tuesday the diarrhea was almost gone and pain was so bad last night that I took an oxycodone that I have from my lupus. Today I woke up without any bowel movements and feel horrible. My stomach has stabbing pains in it and I feel bloated but don't look it (does that make sense). I've tried tums, gas meds, Tylenol and nothing is helping. I've tried eating and feel like I am going to vomit. I don't though. I also feel like I need to have a bowel movement but nothing. I just am confused as to where everything went to after over a year and now I have absolutely no bowel movements and such pain. Any thoughts?
 
This has happened to me quite a few times. Sometimes things just get backed up for me and put me in lots of pain and crampy bloaty feeling.

It could also be caused by an obstruction. Are you vomiting or anything like that? I would maybe see your doctor if this keeps up or go to the ER if your pain gets too bad.

It really could just be a weird day. I do have them, it sucks, I hate when I feel so much pain and feel like I have to go but I can't.

I hope you feel better soon!!
 
I am wondering if you have a fever? It does sound like an obstruction or a stricture. Either one can turn into an emergency if not seen to. And Manzy asked, any vomiting? Rolling pains or off and on pains? Sweating?
 
I don't have a fever. Chills but definitely no sweating. No vomitting but anytime I go to eat I feel very nauseaus so I stop. The pain is hard to describe it is comes and goes at some times but other times is constant. It is a stabbing kind of pain. At first I thought it was gas pains because of the intensity but the gas pills aren't doing anything at all. Other times it feels like a burning type of pain but it is all around my stomach area, not where heartburn would be (again I tried Tums in case though)
 
Do you have a nurse line you can call? If not, go to the ER. It does sound a bit like an obstruction, and that can be very serious.
 
No. If you have a stricture you can still have small bowel movements and diarrea. I dont know where you are located, but I would suggest again that you see a GP, soon.
 
OK, thanks...the pain is still definitely there. I have an apt at 10:50 this morning with my GP. My husband is forcing me to go but I didn't want to waste my time if it was for nothing. I feel super weak so I guess it is good to go. Thank you so much. I am in the US.
 
Best of luck to you sweetie, and keep us updated. Dont let him dismiss your symtoms. I would ask for a CT scan to be honest.
 
I went and he sent me for an x-ray and said if there was anything major he would call but otherwise not to worry so I guess I just need to live in pain. He did tell me not to take Lomotil again though in case there is some type of minor obstruction...My question is: Can you see Crohn's by x-ray? The tech took my x-ray and asked if I had Crohn's and the prescription for the x-ray just said abdominal pain.

It is going to be a very long time until I see the GI doctor in April if this pain continues. Why would I go from continuous diarrhea for over a year to hardly anything all of a sudden with pain? It seems odd. Thank you though very much.
 
Actually, xrays arent that good, but sometimes they can show things. I'm sorry, I know that in the USA the insurance is a nightmare (born and raised there), but if this continues, you cant wait till April. If this pain and those symptoms go on, you are going to end up in Emergency and having surgery. (I should know) So my advice is to get to Emergency before it gets bad.
 
I think it is the doctor's. Because I have lupus they all just want to assume it is my Lupus or the medication. He basically told me that if my diarrhea up until now was as bad as I was saying then I would be dead because my electrolytes would be off. He then examined my stomach and asked if I recently had a child because my stomach looked like I had lost a massive amount of weight. I said, "I just told you I lost a huge amount of weight" from the diarrhea. He told me to call the GI that I had been seeing who just keeps telling me to take the anti-diarrhea medication which everytime I take it, I get horrendous pains, which is why I am going to a specialist. Which he had just got done telling me to stop taking the anti-diarrhea med! Ugh...our insurance is good it is the doctors out by where we live!
Sorry for the vent...I just feel so annoyed!
 
I think you need specialist care alright, and perhaps you can get to the other GI ASAP? I dont know? Otherwise, can you get a CT scan booked in ASAP?

Ummm..I'm adding this...you are PAYING these people!!!??? Up the backside for them!
 
It is ridiculous!!! Unfortunately, the new one is on vacation for the next 2 weeks but with me loosing 1-3 pounds a week prior to this pain I'm not sure how I will be by the time I get to her on the 11th. I don't know who would give me a CT scan since this doc wouldn't, he said an x-ray was fine.

I guess I will either keel over or be OK.:ymad:
 
My digits are all crossed for you hun. I hope you're ok. If you get bad, go to the Emergency room.
:kiss:
 
Just thought I would update that the x-ray that I had shows a malrotation of my small bowel loop. I'm not sure what that means but thought I would update. Thanks.
 
Sweetie, that's an obstruction! Or at least a partial obstruction. You need to be seen too, immediately.
:hug:
 
This has been here since July as I had a small bowel series done in July and the radiologist noted it then. The GI doctor that I have been seeing didn't even mention it to me. I found out now when I requested my records to see the new doctor. The primary doctor that I saw last week ordered the x-ray and hasn't called me, I just looked up the report at the place I had the x-ray. The report said the x-ray showed a lot of gas in the stomach and small and large bowel loops. Then they reviewed the small bowel series again and it says malrotation of the small bowel loops.
I don't know what to do though as the GI doctor that I have been seeing didn't think it was a big deal as he never told me and the primary doc that I saw Thursday never called to tell me.
 
I can only ask if you live in a small island off the coast of Siberia with medical care like that?

When is the new GI appt...JUNE??? Can you ring the receptionist and explain the results? And as for your GP...can you look up bowel obstruction, print it out, and put it under his/her nose? Ask what the results of bowel obstructions are? Ask why the $%$&" you havent been seen to???
 
Hahaha....you would be shocked to know that I live on Long Island, NY...pretty scary isn't it. Unfortunately, because I have Lupus, doctors like to automatically blame everything on that. The new GI doctor is April 11th so just next week. I actually called and left a message for the receptionist saying that I faxed over all of my records but have a new one that says I have a malrotation and am not sure if I should just bring it with me or fax it also. The GI that I am supposed to see is on vacation though. She is at Mount Sinai in NYC so hopefully will help me.
 
All digits are crossed here for you! Do EVERYTHING you can to make sure you are taken care of!! Fax, email, copy..be SEEN!
(no, I'm not surprised...I'm an American originally)
 
Thanks...I can't wait for the 11th but don't want to get my hopes up that the doctor will be any help. I woke up in horrific pain this morning but it is better now so hoping I can just "limp" in until the 11th.
 
Gosh! I really hope that you can get through the next week!! Honestly, if it gets worse or you start vomiting, things like that.. you should go strait to the ER and get checked out.
 
And you need to find a new dr!!!! I know it's not fun spending time in ER/hospital, but at least you would have someone looking after you so you don't get ANY sicker!!! I think you need a new primary DR and a new GI DR!!!! Good grief!! I don't understand some of these people in the medical "profession"!
 
Well, I just called the new GI doctor to see if they could squeeze me in and I'm waiting to hear back from the secretary. I doubt it but figure it is worth a shot. The pain and weight loss is getting me very weak. It probably is IBS like the GI doctor here said but something has to stop the diarrhea and pain.
 
Well, I spoke to the secretary and the doctor is on vacation until I the day I come in. She told me that if the pain continues that I should come into their ER and not to the local ones by me. I'm just afraid to because if it is just IBS then I will feel so stupid but I just don't know why I can't eat and why the pain is worse. Do you know what causes pain (like a stabbing) up under my ribs on the right side?

I also have to say that you have been so wonderful to me through this and I really appreciate it.
 
If the pain is that bad, yes, follow her instructions and get to their ER. No need to feel bad about it! And 'just' IBS isnt going to give you that much trouble I wouldnt think. So...go to their ER, and get well! Dont wait too long, like I did.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
So, I spent 14 hours in the ER and really didn't get much information but at least found out that nothing is critical and got some pain relief. They did bloodwork and the only thing that I needed right away was potassium. They also did a CT where I had to drink the contrast and then give me an enama (not fun). That showed "no active inflammation". It showed a mildy distended gallbladder and then a 2.3 cm hyperdense "mass" that appears to be in the uterine area. They aren't sure if it is a uterine fibroid, endometrial/endocervical polyp or mass. They say that won't explain the stomach issues but may explain the rectal bleeding. I need to stay on the painkillers until I see the doctor on Wednesday. I asked if the CT ruled out Crohn's or other IBD and he said definitely not. I guess it wasn't a wasted trip but don't feel any closer to an answer but at least know it isn't anything serious.
Thanks again.
 
I am glad you went to the ER and at least got some pain relief while you wait for your GI appt.

Fingers crossed he can find out what is causing all this definetely.
 
Back
Top