Medical Problem My Hubby is Having---Any Ideas?

[#1MMFan]

It really doesn't sound like gallbladder at all, but if it is, I will eat my hat and say it is an odd presentation of a very common condition. If I referred someone with these symptoms and put gallbladder at the top of my list (not saying I wouldn't include it low down) I would receive some very strange looks from my colleagues.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have Crohn's, too, and it sounds like that as well. Bottom line is, it can be a huge # of things - you just have to get a GI that will aggressively get to the bottom (no pun intended!) of what is wrong.

My diagnosis came after a clear upper endoscopy, a CT scan showing thickening of the intestinal wall, and a colonoscopy with biopsies.

I hope they will get him help - I didn't eat for 2 months when I was at my sickest and I remember that feeling of helplessness.

 

[floridafam]

I apologize if I am overreacting.

It just blows my mind that Doctors are forced to order one test when there is a better one.

There was a thread here about a month ago. Someone's DH had bleeding from the rectum and the Dr. did a flex sigmoidoscopy and said everything was fine. You can not see the entire colon that way.

Just make sure you and your Doctor stay on top of it. If they can't give you answers then don't stop until you get some.

I would also ask for a copy of the blood report. I always do. I never assume everything is fine until I see it for myself.

Did he find out if he was anemic or not?

Yes, his cholesterol is high but I've seen worse. Was he told just to manage it with diet and exercise? Is there a specific condition that could cause his cholesterol to go up in such a short period of time?

Good luck to you. I hope you get some answers.

 

[#1MMFan]

As far as flexy siggy is concerned... if the blood is bright red it's unlikely to be coming from the tranverse or ascending colon/caecum. That would be likely the reason why a flexy siggy was done in regards to your post Floridafam, but forgive me if i'm jumping to conclusions... we would do a flexy siggy for low bleeding, but obviously a colonoscopy if there was an indication otherwise. Also, I suppose you could argue that there is a tiny risk of bowel perforation with colonoscopy plus there is that horrible waiting list... yup, if there was a HUGE suspicion that something sinister was going on I would certainly refer to a GI physician or surgeon (depending which person would be quicker) in order to expedite a scope, but as a family doc over here I'm trying to weigh up the chances of something sinister against reassurance for something unlikely to be sinister. And if it comes to something that doesn't sound so sinister then it's probably simplest and quicker to order the barium enema first and follow it on depending on the results or suggestions of the radiologist... a kind of team effort! I guess the lack of absolutes makes medicine so interesting!

 

[yeartolate]

It just blows my mind that Doctors are forced to order one test when there is a better one.

I would just like to add my two cents worth here. Based on the patient's signs and symptoms, there is a "usual" battery of tests that is offered. Someone a little sicker may be fastracked through that list based on severity.

I really don't think what was offered is that out of line. Now if some of his other blood work turned up red flags, he probably would go through the battery of tests in a more expedited fashion.

Although insurance companies do their fair share of interferance, it should not always be assumed they are doing the wrong thing.

Does anyone really want the insurance premiums if we went right for colonoscopies over barium enemas or went right for MRI's instead of xrays?

If symptoms persist and the barium enema does not give them what they need, then maybe the colonoscopy.

 

[yeartolate]

flexy siggy

I have never heard of it as a flexy siggy.
Sounds like a new Sesame Street character.

 

[AC7179]

Thanks for all the advice and good thoughts.

My hubby is a disabled vet (40% disabled) and supposed to get the free health care for life. We just got rid of our private insurance about six months ago when he got laid off and started working at home. Unforunately, I don't really think the care is what it would be if we were dealing with a private company.

The dr. said the barium enemas are only 5-8% less effective then colonoscopys. Is that correct? The Dr. is really a nice guy. He is from India and sounds just like Apu off the Simpsons. I think he would like to do more tests but as he says---and just picture Apu saying this with a sad look on his face, shaking his head----"My hands are tied."

 

[yeartolate]

The barium enema is probably a good start.

He more than likely can get scheduled for this test faster anyway.

Whether we like it or not, there really is health care rationing in the USA. This occures with all forms of insurance - be it private or public. It is not feasible or practical to scope every patient that came along. So they evaluate through other available means first. A person with more "critcal" signs may be rushed through the process more quickly.

Realistcally, he will have the barium enema in one week - much faster than he could get a colonoscopy scheduled . If it is suspicious - they will expedite the other tests. That is good. If it is not suspicious they will still keep looking for the cause of your husbands problems.

Idle curiosity - he has had this pain for the past year and a half? Is this the first time he has sought treatment? If they have been sitting on him for 18 months, I will be more than disgusted.

 

[manning]

Often times things appear to be worse than they appear.

Blood could be anything but should not be ignored (a mistake I made). The bad thing about colon cancer is that it sneaks up on you.

A gastroenterologist will do the colonocopy. An oncologist really doesn't enter the picture until it is confirmed to be cancer.

The worst part of a colonoscopy is the prep. You are in a light sleep when the procedure is done. You won't remember it.

If it is cancer don't panic. It can be successfully treated. I was stage three and that was 12 years ago.

Good luck and be aggressive!!

 

[#1MMFan]

Hahah Yeartolate, umm flexy siggy would just be the abbreviated slang version used by us medical folks over here! I totally agree with your post by the way.. i was thinking the same thing about what would happen if we had to scope every patient... i mean (altho' the national health service provides free treatment over here) the waiting list would be sooooo much longer it would not be feasible.