I’m so confused

[strawberryowies]

Back in march 2022 I had severe abdominal pain that landed me in the ER twice. I’ve have ct scans and lots of blood work done. The abdominal pain was in combination with being unable to go to the bathroom days at a time, blood mixed IN WITH the stool and very constipated. Nothing was found on the CT scan and blood work was fine. I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy due to everything and the results came back fine, but there was internal hemorrhoids. They took a biopsy of something but the results were nothing of an issue.

For months afterwards I was completely fine, but then fast forward around Nov 2022 I had a severe job change and extreme stress resulted from the change. The same bowel movements have re-emerged (either mucous/y blobs and blood or flat, long, ribbon like with blood; when it’s not diarrhea). I have absolutely no abdominal pain this time around which is the most confusing part, but my anus has been hurting so much from the severe constipation because i can’t use the bathroom consistently. In march of this year I had a calpotectin test which came back in the 1700’s and just a couple days ago had another stool sample that came back at 1500. The doctors aren’t ordering another colonoscopy and/or endoscopy just because the prior procedures resulted in no issues and because I have no abdominal pain. The constipation and random bowel movements are irritating me so much, though, because I was perfectly fine before the job issue. Could just internal hemorrhoids cause the symptoms??

[strawberryowies]

Literally both my mom and brother have IBD’s (mom has Crohns and brother has UC) but the doctors don’t seem to be taking it into consideration even after seeing my calprotectin levels, if that even means anything. The gasto doctor also just believes it’s Chronic Idiopathic Constipation, because of everything I’ve said. They tried giving me Trulance at first (I got 6 tablets from samples) but the insurance wouldn’t cover it, so instead I was prescribed Linzess which hasn’t been any help, actually causing stomach pain. Same issues with more severe bouts of diarrhea. Trulance had some help but nothing that was like I had normal stool. More like, if I felt the urge to go to the bathroom, I would usually be more than able to instead of straining.

I’ve been weightlifting for a while and drink only water and eat pretty healthily so I don’t know what could be going wrong..

[GreatWhiteShar in reply to strawberryowies]

Hello Strawberryowies!

I would recommend that you get a second opinion. Advocate for yourself, and go to a different GI doctor that can get you in for another colonoscopy. Make sure that you also mention to the doctor about your mother, and brother’s condition as well. Let the doctor also know about the way you felt about your other doctor not taking the way you felt seriously.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to strawberryowies]

Hi strawberryowies,

Thanks for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. I absolutely agree with GreatWhiteShar in that a second opinion would be a good idea. You’re the patient and you still don’t know what it might be. I don’t think the testing or the diagnosis is complete. Definitely be sure to write down all the symptoms and the family history to share with the doctor. Perhaps tell this new doctor you're looking for a fresh perspective and that you don't feel that the issue has been solved.

I do wish you the very best in finding answers. I think a second opinion might be the best way to go for you. Please let us know what you find out. Whatever it is, I hope it put you on a path to being well soon.

Thank you,