Scared

[Oliver1488]

Hi,

I'm a 36 yr old male. 10 years ago I underwent multiple test fit test, breath test, colonoscopy, and endoscopy. At the end of it I was diagnosed with IBS. In August I got covid and my health anxiety sparked up again. Everything ache and pain I thought was cancer. In November I thought I felt a bump in my upper right abdomen below the rib so I went to the ER, the ER did some tests and I left with them saying that I have a mildly fatty liver and a gallbladder polyp, since then I completed changed my diet, but have still experienced GI issues. My GI doctor had me get a CT scan and that came back negative for anything, but it was without contrast per my request. I also went to my PCP and they said the bump is from an asymmetrical abdomen (the bump is only noticeable when I suck in my stomach and is not a hard lump. But I am still very scared and concerned. For the past two days I have what I think to be a small amount of blood on my stool, but just on the last piece that comes out, it looks like a thin layer/ small streak.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Oliver1488,

Thanks for posting with us. Hate you have this all going on but proud of you for not ignoring it. Get yourself another FIT test to know you have blood in the stool. Any time there is blood in the stool it needs to have a definitive answer. Not a guess. You've been diagnosed with IBS, but there could be many reasons going on here that could be causing this.

Did the "bump" show up in the CT scan? Is there any tenderness? Is it something new or has it been there for a long time? I would think it would need to be looked into closer. I had a lump in my right side abdomen that became tender and then things were not good. I had it for years and thought nothing of it. I wish I didn't ignore it.

Also, is there any hereditary medical issues running in your family? This would be good info for your doctor to know as well. It could lead to some other necessary testing.

And I say this to all the younger posters here, never accept a diagnosis based on your age. Symptoms are symptoms no matter the age. Never accept something couldn't be happening because you are too young.

We wish you the best in finding answers. I'd start with the FIT and move from there. You can do it a home if you want with a kit. There are several of them out there. Get those answers.

Please let us know what you find out. It's that type of information that could be helpful to others on this site as well.

Regards,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Oliver1488 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Hi Tom, thank you for responding. I don't have anything heritary other than maybe diabetes.

The bump didn't show up in my ct scan but that was without contrast so I'm unsure how reliable that is. The lump is painless. I first noticed the lump in November, but vaguely remember feeling it after surfing during the summer time, I think around then I thought it was just a stiff Ab muscle from poor technique.

It's been pretty difficult getting an appointment, but I managed to get an appointment with two different doctors. Mainly to see which one will get me tests sooner.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Oliver1488]

I always get the contrast. I get a CT scan annually as a part of my surveillance screening.👍

[Oliver1488]

update:

Just got out of the ER for more blood in my stool. All my blood tests came okay. Doctor didn’t feel or see any hemorrhoids. They did say it could be a bleeding polyp or internal hemorrhoids. My doctor expedited my visit to Tuesday, but I am still nervous.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Oliver1488]

Visit expedited 👍👏. A colonoscopy should get you the answers you’re looking for.

[Oliver1488]

what did you lump look/feel like?

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Oliver1488]

barley noticeable. I thought it may just be some fatty tissue. It was to the left of the right front oblique muscle bellybutton high. It was just a small soft lump like a soft marble. I could push it in a bit. Seemed to be there for a long time.

[Oliver1488]

update: I had my procedures last week.

They found

Lower GI:

-4 flat polyps 2mm-4mm of benign apparence.

-internal hemorrhoids

- a few diverticula

Upper GI:

-Gastritis, duodenitis, and ulcers.

-hiatal hernia

I've been put on PPI’s, but I'm still waiting to here back about my biopsies. I haven't heard anything yet so I'm hoping that is good news.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Do you have an online medical records site like Mychart? A lot of times that gets updated before your doctor has the chance to speak with you.

Since you had polyps, you should be put on some kind of surveillance to keep checking over certain periods of time.