Awaiting colonoscopy..
Hi I’m 28 years old, and I have been experiencing lower abdominal pain since I was 14 years old. Up until I’d say 2 years ago, I have managed it because it was “ bearable”; don’t get me wrong it was bad but I just dealt with it. Pain medicine is as useless as it can get. At this point, I find myself calling out of work or leaving in the middle of the day because I can’t stand up straight due to the pain level, I cannot be walking hunched over because I work with patients everyday in PT. I’m constantly tired, and I think it’s because the pain drains me physically. The abdominal pain doesn’t just last for one day.. it lingers on for 3-4 days. I cannot eat food when I have this pain..it’s just exasperates it..it’s an absolute disaster..I am in actual tears. Over the past year I have noticed that when I have a bowl movement it’s just mucus.( not always, but esp. when I have the abdominal pain)
I have random joint pain and swelling out of no where which is what lead me to the GP in the first place.
Also, I have been to 2 GI doctors who were dismissive but I’ve had endoscopies done, no peptic ulcers or anything like that, just h pylori which was treated with antibiotics. So this would be my 3rd GI and I told him I want a colonoscopy because enough is enough. I’ve dealt with it long enough and I am beyond frustrated. Does anyone have advice for me or feel similar things?
Hi
, I am so sorry you've been dealing with this and that your previous GI doctors have not been helpful. It's unacceptable that they didn't take you seriously, especially when you are going through so much. I'm glad you're seeing a third GI. I think asking for a colonoscopy is fully within your rights. You might also ask about getting some stool tests drawn for things like calprotectin levels, which would look at inflammation in your digestive system. If your GI still does not think you have IBD, which is possible, you may want to ask what they think you do have. Obviously what you're going through isn't okay, and you need some kind of diagnosis and treatment plan. So I'd suggest you really push for the doctor to tell you what they think could be causing this if it's not Crohn's/colitis. Do you know when your next GI visit it? -Eshani (IBD Team Member) thank you so much for all your advice and kind words. I had the colonoscopy today..they didn’t find anything but my GI attained biopsies. I’m not too concerned about the colonoscopy anymore…here is why.
As you May or may not know, the prep is horrible and made me sick to my stomach. I ended up vomiting up the entire first dose, and I threw up something interesting along with it..some
I am so sorry you are going through this! Yes, push for a colonoscopy with biopsy and blood work! You are clearly going through something serious and a doctor needs to take you seriously. Keep switching until one does the proper testing. It is imperative you get a colonoscopy so push for it. Keep us posted! -Elizabeth (team member) thank you so much for your advice, I really appreciate it 😀 You are so welcome! -Elizabeth (team member)
advocate for yourself is my advice. If the colonoscopy comes back clear (you want to make sure they take biopsies by the way as sometimes the inflammation can only been seen on a microscopic level), push for more tests. The types of diagnostics that are useful can be found here: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnostic-tests-and-procedures
I will leave you with a quote from a previous posts I wrote - https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/doctors-dont-listen-uc
I am with every single person that thinks that they shouldn’t have to fight to be heard. Really, I am. It shouldn’t be that way, but it often is. We can’t change that, but we can change how we deal with it.
Believe me when I say I know how frustrating and exhausting it is when you already feel unwell. How much you don’t want to. How much you want to stamp your feet, get back under the bed covers and cry because you don’t have the energy to deal with this right now! But, it is worth it! YOU are worth it.
Good luck - Sahara (team member)
Hello friend,
You have to raise your voice to your doctor when you feel not good.
It makes me angry that your first doctor hasn't taken this seriously! Doing a colonoscopy test is pretty a common part or the diagnosis specially with these symptoms.
I understand you. I'm 29 and I'm dealing with IBD from 19. I know how it's like to have a managable pain and how it's like when doctors don't take it seriously. But we should seek for better condition so raise you voice please and be clear about your expectation with your doctor. They may prescribe different drugs based on the test results and also patient's expectation.
Stay positive 😀
