Anyone else have these kind of digestion issues?

Posted by jac59 @jac59, Jan 28 3:43pm

I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always feels like it never fully empties. Full and gassy feeling. Upper part of stomach near breast bone - mid chest - and lower part of stomach - belly button - pain. B.m.'s 5-7 times a day. All shapes and sizes. Can't eat much at a time without feeling full.
I have an appointment for a colonoscopy, but can't get in until mid march. Wondering if it's diverticulosis. Any other suggestions - what to eat or not eat? Doctor just says take Miralax.

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@danny5

correct. no need to worry yourself. what type of issues & pain?

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@danny5 ,
I got sudden constipation in August 2022, resulted in thrombosed hemorrhoid that burst, referred to colorectal surgeon who recommended the same as my primary….veggies, water, exercise, healthy fats, Metamucil, Miralax….works ok if you like jello consistency and going 4-5 times a day. Lol

So, sawgastroenterologist….recommended same thing, she scheduled me for colonoscopy, but earliest is April. She also ordered blood tests and prescribed Lubiprostone.
Recently, I developed sudden intermittent anal cramps. Comes on suddenly and leaves suddenly. Not sure if internal hemorrhoids (no bleeding), proctalgia fugax or something else (worries me). I’ve been messaging all the gastro team and was prescribed a cortisone cream to insert. I’ve been using it. No pain there most of the time, even without the cream.

About a week ago, I got a dull aching pain in my lower left stomach that lasted most of 24 hours. Went to my primary with it. She felt around, did urine test (normal)…referred me to gastro. Have an appointment later this week. She’ll do an exam and maybe other tests….? I had BCC on temple with successful Moh’s surgery Dec. 2022.

Normal colonoscopy 2020, no polps, but internal hemorrhoids and diverticulitis. I had no idea of either. No symptoms. Never careful with foods and stomach like a tank. I had another incident where my belly ached again. Last week. So….I’m curious if it’s digestive or ovarian….last PAP normal 2019. Due for another now. I am very anxious, in therapy for anxiety, have post covid syndrome and type I diabetes. Praying it’s nothing too serious and that I can get my life back.

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the diverticulitis is in the large intestine. on the left side. the anal cramps i have no idea what that might be. PLEASE do have the pap smear. keep up to date on it. i know it's easy to say not to worry. but try to relax. worrying only intensifies symptoms. which you do not need. i do and i'm miserable afterwords.
now i need you to understand. i am not a doctor. anything i say or recommend is from many years of trial & error. and from my experience with conditions that i have or had in my lifetime. OK? anything i have, i investigate with doctors, books and online. that is the best thing you can do for yourself. or any family members. good luck, d

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@celia16

I have some issues as well. My colonoscopy isn’t until April and I’m rather anxious about it. I hope they (Duke) will move it up after my office visit this week. I expect a local exam and ……idk what else they can do. Scans? Blood tests? I’m very nervous about it.

Have you had a colonoscopy before?

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Yes, I have had a colonoscopy before. It's o.k. they knock you out, and it feels like 2 seconds went by when I woke up. Make sure someone drives you home. Someone else here suggested an endoscopy or barium x-ray. I might see about that. Insurance-wise it might be better for me since mine would be considered a diagnostic colonoscopy.

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@celia16

@danny5 ,
I got sudden constipation in August 2022, resulted in thrombosed hemorrhoid that burst, referred to colorectal surgeon who recommended the same as my primary….veggies, water, exercise, healthy fats, Metamucil, Miralax….works ok if you like jello consistency and going 4-5 times a day. Lol

So, sawgastroenterologist….recommended same thing, she scheduled me for colonoscopy, but earliest is April. She also ordered blood tests and prescribed Lubiprostone.
Recently, I developed sudden intermittent anal cramps. Comes on suddenly and leaves suddenly. Not sure if internal hemorrhoids (no bleeding), proctalgia fugax or something else (worries me). I’ve been messaging all the gastro team and was prescribed a cortisone cream to insert. I’ve been using it. No pain there most of the time, even without the cream.

About a week ago, I got a dull aching pain in my lower left stomach that lasted most of 24 hours. Went to my primary with it. She felt around, did urine test (normal)…referred me to gastro. Have an appointment later this week. She’ll do an exam and maybe other tests….? I had BCC on temple with successful Moh’s surgery Dec. 2022.

Normal colonoscopy 2020, no polps, but internal hemorrhoids and diverticulitis. I had no idea of either. No symptoms. Never careful with foods and stomach like a tank. I had another incident where my belly ached again. Last week. So….I’m curious if it’s digestive or ovarian….last PAP normal 2019. Due for another now. I am very anxious, in therapy for anxiety, have post covid syndrome and type I diabetes. Praying it’s nothing too serious and that I can get my life back.

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I also have an appt. to go to 4 winds natural therepy. There's a good thorough doctor there who is an herb doctor. Go to the site and read up on him. https://www.fourwindsnhc.com/

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@debhammel

Have you had any bloodwork or stool testing? Bloodwork can reveal inflammation and stool tests can provide a lot of information on how your digestive system is working. They can test for calprotectin, which can indicate inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatic elastase which shows whether your pancreas is making sufficient digestive enzymes. Your floating stools and feeling of fullness/not being able to eat much are symptoms of low pancreatic enzymes (and overlaps with other disorders as well). It would be worth doing these tests while you wait for the colonoscopy.

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Thanks! I'll have to look into those tests.

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@danny5

the diverticulitis is in the large intestine. on the left side. the anal cramps i have no idea what that might be. PLEASE do have the pap smear. keep up to date on it. i know it's easy to say not to worry. but try to relax. worrying only intensifies symptoms. which you do not need. i do and i'm miserable afterwords.
now i need you to understand. i am not a doctor. anything i say or recommend is from many years of trial & error. and from my experience with conditions that i have or had in my lifetime. OK? anything i have, i investigate with doctors, books and online. that is the best thing you can do for yourself. or any family members. good luck, d

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@danny5 ,
I appreciate your input. I have a correction to my last normal PAP and pelvic exam. It was actually December of 2022. Annual ones are not recommended for me, but I’m going to get them annually anyway. I always have and never had one abnormal. I had a vaginal ultrasound in 2018 that was normal. Thanks again.

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Sorry, Canadian here. I went into organ failure and had my stomach & a large part of my colon removed.
It really sounds like you are not at the top of your doctors priority list.
After all my surgeries I learned how to be an advocate for myself.
Our healthcare system is suffering after Covid but I no longer have a problem being my biggest advocate. I’m in this position now bc a doctor sent me home from the ER missing an internal bleed.
Keep contacting your doc about your symptoms if you believe they are serious. The least they could do is put you on a cancellation list for these tests.
Best of luck to you. Please keep us updated.

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to all of you. you are the only ones who know what's going on with your bodies. so you need to take the bull by the horns and make your doctors listen to you. because nobody is going to do it for you. they won't listen. leave and find a doctor who will listen. in essence, you fire them. just like you would with an employee who does not do there jobs. which they are. your employee. you pay them. always remember this point.

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@danny5

IBS could be it. also Crohns & Ulcerative Colitis. two other things to be checked for.

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danny5, yes, I realize that, but just couldn't get the Dr to check out anything else. I was diagnosed and treated for years for ulcerative colitis, but he completely dismissed that Dx. This was the Dr who, when I went back for more help, told me, "you just have to learn to manage your expectations"! I was stunned! I never went back, but I haven't found anywhere that wants to help me.......even Mayo GI team! 😂🤣😆You got to keep laughing while they kill you!
P

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Stool check for cdiff and other issues.

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