I am 24 years old, and been having stomach problems since last September (6 months), I have pain in the lower right side of the abdomen and sometimes I see drops of bright or streaks of red blood in my stool, and after poo*** my anus burns and itches, I noticed that blood only appears when I do not drink a lot of water and my poop is constipated. last year I did have food poisoning in January and it was painful that was the first time I had any digestive issues, I am not sure if this is related or not but just for more background.
Finally, I did see a gastroenterologist last month, and then I had an ultrasound, a calprotectin fecal test, a blood test, and a CT scan with dye (with contrast) everything was clear and good my calprotectin test came back with 74 points and they ruled out anything major, I explicitly asked if there was any cancer anywhere and they assured me 100% that there's not anything.
I was prescribed some medicine and probiotics and it is a bit better but I still have some flare-ups from time to time, blood in my stool exists if it is a hard stool and the pain to the lower right side is still there although less.
So, I am confused about what to do & what it is, is a CT scan with contrast enough to rule out Colon cancer? , I am considering getting a colonoscopy to be sure 100% and maybe undetected polyps could be removed.
I am very confused about what to do next, is this some lifelong IBS that I have to deal with or should I get more tests done?
Thanks
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bianco9685
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Hello and welcome to this wonderful site hope we can support you when you find out what the issue is. I have had a CT scan with contrast it gives detailed pictures of the inside of your body which diagnoses many conditions. I also had a Gastroscope and colonoscopy so everything was covered. The scan is done without cleaning out the bowel, a colonoscopy is preformed after taking a prep that cleans out the bowel, hope this may help you decide what to do. Good Luck
So I did get a CT Scan with contrast and everything was clear my Gastro Doctor thinks I have IBS, and I was scared that it was something major like cancer, So my question was is a CT Scan with contrast enough to rule out any kind of bowel cancer? , So should I just consider my symptoms IBS or go get a colonoscopy, or is dumb to get a colonoscopy after a negative CT Scan?
The NHS turned down my colonoscopy but they did a CT scan that picked up problems outside the bowel. I therefore paid for a private gastroenterologist and he recommended full endoscopy which picked up inflammation, gastritis and diverticulitis in the gut and colon, all needing treatment. Can you speak to your Dr about cancer concerns!?
So I'm not in the UK, I did speak to my doctor that I am concerned that it could be cancer just because I wanted to rule out anything fatal and serious. The doctor did listen to my concerns and knows that younger people are now getting it at higher rates compared to like 10-20 years ago, I don't think it is cancer but I am just a bit paranoid from Google and self-diagnosing.
At 24 your risk of bowel cancer will be very low. I couldn't complete a normal colonoscopy due to a long loopy colon, so had to have a CT virtual colonoscopy instead, which I was happy with. Is this what you had? To be honest, if your calprotectin was in normal range, you wouldn't normally be referred for a colonoscopy. It is a pretty good indicator as to whether further investigation is needed.
Many people's IBS symptoms are triggered by food poisoning. Mine was. In terms of probiotics, not all of them are the same. I got significant improvement from pain with Alflorex which has been scientifically studied for IBS (others get on with Symprove) and the bacteria in it is good at kicking bad bugs into touch. Everyone is different, but it is worth a punt.
Would you say that you are constipated i.e. IBS-C? If so I have separate advice on tips that can help with this; in short you need to work on fibre, hydration and exercise. I can provide the detailed advice on this if needed. You may need the probiotics first (3 month trial) to improve your tolerance to different foods and fibre.
So I didn't have a virtual Colonoscopy, I know what that is but I had a normal CT Scan with contrast, I do think my symptoms are linked to that one time I was food poisoned because all my problems started after that day and I dont drink or smoke or do anything unhealthy, I am constipated I think because I barely drink any water every day so I started to drink 3.5 liters of water every day and that seems to help I am taking a probiotic pill I'm not sure what it is and I bought Kimchi and Pickled garlic and that seemed to help, this last year is the only year I wasn't water fasting a day or two every week so I started to go back water fasting I just finished water fasting for 2 days and it cleared a lot of the symptoms. feel free to advise with a probiotic if u know one that works well.
I think having a colonoscopy togeather with all the tests you have had done will cover most bases.(saying that I'm not a medical professional)Has heamaroids ever been mentioned I wonder.
Personally I've had similar problems for 30 years I've had 18 colonoscopys but a bit like yourself nothing.
This ended up as being diverticulitis.
I was told by my consultant collerectal surgeon to eat a little but often, and drink plenty water.
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