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

[SeaSpray]

What about ulcers? How do they test for that?

They do what's called an "upper GI". You drink a liquid then they take x-rays. They also can do an endoscopy where they send a tiny camera down your throat into your stomach.

 

[minnie56]

I think they make you drink Barium and follow it with an x-ray don't they? My Gallstones showed very well on an U/S too...

 

[phillybeth]

This sounds like diverticulitis. "Pouches" form on the large bowel that trap food and waste, and become abcessed. Your DH's syptoms sound exactly like my mother's- and she pooh-poohed it for years until one of her abcesses ruptured and she wound up in the hospital. Fortunately she did not need a colostomy or bag.
Please INSIST on a colonoscopy. Forget the upper and lower GIs for now.

 

[txaggiemomof3]

I agree about the diverticulitis. That is the first thing that I thought about when you said where he was feeling the pain. My dh had a bout with diverticulitis a few years ago. He had lingering pain in his left side, under his ribcage for a few months before he went to the doctor. He was promptly sent to the gastroenterologist who immediately suspected diverticulitis and put him on antibiotics. They also did a colonoscopy which confirmed the diagnosis and luckily it was a really mild case. It could flare up again though so now we know what it is and what to do if that happens.

Try not to worry too much. There are lots of possibilities beyond cancer. The important thing is that he's being seen by a doctor. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon! Hang in there

 

[lsyorke]

Diverticulitis would account for the changing symptoms and his diet would be consistent a higher risk of diverticulitis. An Abdominal ultrasound would have shown gallstones(right upper quadrant and back pain). The labwork,if it's diverticulitis could be showing an elevated white blood cell count. Don't jump to cancer...There are hundreds of other things that could be going on here.

 

[minkydog]

my advice is stop looking stuff up on the internet. my sister calls me "internet dr." because i was going through a phase where i was a huge hypochondriac and every symptom i looked up on the internet and tried to diagnose myself. it didn't work, i got maybe 1% of the diagnoses i made correct. i know it's hard, but please don't stress out until you hear what it is from the dr.

I agree. Turn off the internet! You'll scare yourself to death! call the doctor in the a.m. and request a colonoscopy. the only way to know if he's "clean" is to look in there and see. We'll all keep our fingers crossed that it is something simple and fixable

 

[jfulcer]

One thing you learn in healthcare is NEVER throw the C word around carelessly!!! It shouldn't be thrown around here either...the OP is worried enough.

Wow tiggersmom2, I wasn't aware you were a patient care advocate! Thanks for the expert advice.

 

[catherine]

It could be that your DH has tested positive for Helicobacter Pylori. It's bacteria that lives in the stomach. Some people can have it and not show any symptoms. While others can have severe stomach problems, or present with symptoms from severe abdominal pain to abdominal discomfort.

Good luck to you and your DH

 

[kydisneyfans]

There are too many things to say exactly what the problem may be. I have Crohn's Disease and the description mirrors the pain I had before diagnosis. It took 3 months and an emergency surgery to find out what the problem was. My symptoms did not mirror the usual Crohn's pattern.

Blood is not good, but "being regular" is a good sign. I think if cancer was involved the doctor would have insisted on a call back immediately, and not wait until Monday.

I, too would insist on a colonoscopy-around here it may take 2-3 months to get one scheduled. I have had 4 done and they are not too bad-just plan on a day off from work and have someone available to drive.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[#1MMFan]

Don't panic until there is a need. What you described sounded VERY MUCH like gallbladder issues. If there is something wrong with the test (IE gallbladder issues) they will not tell you over the phone.

Please keep us updated.

To be fair, gallbladder problems would normally have been picked up on USS (ultrasound) so it doesn't sound likely. With abdo bloating, some bleeding from the rectum and discomfort and a poor diet ?could it be diverticulosis with occasional flare-ups (diverticulitis) .... even IBS causes symptoms of bloating etc, but not usually bleeding. Colon cancer .. sure might be in the differential diagnosis, but I wouldn't jump to conclusions... honestly. I'm an family doc so please don't stress yet, tho i know it's easy for me to say. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, he's a disabled vet and is being seen by the VA doctor.

I'm not saying anything about the VA doctors-----but in this case I'm not sure he's in the best of hands.

The doctor didn't say that he THINKS it is colon cancer, just that it is a possibility, along with diverticulitis, and other things he didn't clarify.

Woudl colon cancer come back on a blood test?

Thanks for all the hugs, thoughts, and advice.

The good thing is that your dh is taking care of himself. I would be more aggressive with getting him a diagnosis. Insist on tests to rule out things.

I don't think colon cancer will come back on a blood test, I don't know. The one thing I do know is that all the tests in the world do not show up everything. This is why you need many different tests to "see".
Good wishes to your family and I hope you find out quickly.
{{{HUGS}}}

 

[floridafam]

No, colon cancer would not show up on a blood test.

Thry would look at his hemoglobin and see what that is. If it's real low then that may indicate there is bleeding somewhere in the body.

I'll be thinking about you this morning.

 

[lisajl]

for you and your family. Good luck today. Hope the results are something minor and easy to fix.

good luck!
Lisa

 

[Lorix2]

I was also going to ask if the DR mentioned Crohns disease. My DH suffers from that and just yesterday felt exactly as you described you're DH's symptoms. It certainly is scary, but he can get it under control with meds.

Best wishes to you're DH please update us when you can

 

[Galahad]

"When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras"
-------------- old medical proverb

Good Luck!

 

[kilee]

I'm not a doctor. However, I have to agree w/ going for a colonoscopy instead of the barium enema. First off- they'll sedate you and make him comfortable during the colonoscopy- they 99.9% of the time won't during a BE and it's not a very pleasant procedure. Also, if you're going to have to go through the prep anyhow- just get the best of the testing done. Last, if they see something or anything on the BE they'll have to do a colonoscopy anyhow to see what it is.

As for the person who mentioned an onocologist at this stage of the game before a diagnosis. Around here insurance wouldn't pay and the doctor wouldn't take you. That is jumping too-too far ahead.

A gastroenterologist is sufficient in this situation so far. Seems to be a very appropriate first step.

Good luck!!

 

[tiggersmom2]

Wow tiggersmom2, I wasn't aware you were a patient care advocate! Thanks for the expert advice.

Actually I AM a healthcare professional. I am a RN and a RDH. So you are very welcome for the advice!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

As for the person who mentioned an onocologist at this stage of the game before a diagnosis. Around here insurance wouldn't pay and the doctor wouldn't take you. That is jumping too-too far ahead.

A gastroenterologist is sufficient in this situation so far. Seems to be a very appropriate first step.

Good luck!!

It was me and I know what you are saying. My cousins MIL is going through colon cancer treatments and without scaring the OP too much the tests still did not pick up everything, let's say. That really scares me what they don't know until you are under the knife and they can actually see what is there.

 

[AC7179]

Here is what my DH emailed me this morning:

The message on the machine was to tell me that my Cholesterol level was at 214 which is a borderline high risk and my bad cholesterol was at 149 which is also borderline high risk.

He said that he has to follow VA guidelines in requesting the barium enema/colonoscopy. If I were older, or had a family history of colon cancer, he would have been able to order the colonoscopy. He went on to say that the BE is only 5-8% less effective than the colonoscopy.

I need to go in to see the VA nutritionist on a walk-in basis.

He ordered the sonigram of my abdomen to rule out gall stones among other things. Since the sonigram was clear, he says there are no gall stones.

CBC and urinealysis must have come back within normal range or he would have mentioned that too.

Back to not knowing what is going on =(

Oh, I forgot to mention that as of only a year ago, my cholesterol levels were great. He said that in a year's time, my levels shot up over 40 points. If you read below about the gallbladder, gall problems and increased cholesterol levels would seem to go hand in hand. With the gallbladder's function being to take care of the fat we eat, and we have been eating HIGH in fat foods.

 

[floridafam]

That sounds like good news. Did he say what his hemoglobin is? I would find out if the Doctor did not tell you.

I have to say, it does sound like a gallbladder problem.

I can't believe that a vet who has served the United States can't get a colonoscopy paid for by his government. I'm sure the Doctor's hands are tied but our health care system really needs to change.

Nobody thought my brother needed a colonoscopy, either. He was only 34 years old.

Maybe someday this world will change and people can start getting the tests they need.


Keep us posted.