Colonoscopy on Friday for DH

[ormirian]

H has had severe stomach pains for about 8 months now. He has had a camera up his penis, scans, blood tests, urine tests.. the lot. But apart from a trace of blood in his urine...nothing. His father died of colon cancer and H has suffered from IBS in the past so he had a few colonoscopies before but always been OK. i did wonder if there was some psychosomatic element but clearly the GP is taking it seriously.

I confess I am a little scared now. H is also scared. He has always been convinced he would die like his dad at 52. He is 52 end of next month.

[chocoluvva]

The colonoscopies would have shown any polyps or tumours. They are very slow growing so I'm sure you can rule out bowel cancer.

Has he tried cutting out possible problem foods like dairy and wheat?

I hope he gets a diagnosis soon - it's horrible knowing what's causing the problems.

[swooosh]

Hi, I work in Endoscopy. Wishing your DH luck. They will check for any polyps on the day, and take them away there and then where they will be routinely sent for biopsy. It's generally pretty easy to tell if a polyp is 'nasty' or not from looking at it but they will let you know.

Hope he gets on ok x

[ormirian]

Thank you x

choc - the other colonoscopies were a few years ago. He had two a few years apart but nothing for about 3 years.

He has tried nothing really. He drinks a lot and smokes. She had told him he drinks too much and he is cutting back. And he bought an e-cig to try - it's a start. We eat a reasonably healthy diet and he walks/cycles a bit to get to and from work but no real exercise. Although I did suggest there might be a problem with certain foods he disregarded it as the GP didn't mention it. I have cut out wheat from my diet in the past because of a dodgy gut - but although it cleared it up it seemed to be caused by/associated with stress. I really do think stress might be problem for him - work being one cause.

Maybe if (fingers crossed) the tests show nothing, the GP might suggest diet as a potential problem. I guess she is trying to rule out the BIG problems before she tackles the smallter ones. She had told him he drinks too much and he is cutting back.

Sorry - thoughts all over the place

He has started on the 36 hr with no food apart from vast amounts of laxative ... so he is feeling worse than ever at the moment.

[KurriKurri]

I hope everything goes well for your Dh, Ormirian.

Just thought I'd mention - my sister has had IBS for years and its recently got very bad, - her consultant has put her on the Fodmap diet - might be worth asking about, - you can google it to give you an idea. This consultant was very enthusiastic about it, -my sister thought she was eating healthily (and she was by any of the usual standards) but with her IBS some of the things shethought were good were actually making it a lot worse. She's still in her adjustment period to the new diet - but it does seem to be helping.

[chocoluvva]

IBS can be tremendously painful.

Does he drink much coffee? It is very acidic. (pretty much all the food he probably most enjoys is acidic/difficult to digest - coffee, chocolate,citrus fruit, processed meat etc....)

[ormirian]

Thanks kurri - he doesn't seem to suffer with IBS these days. It's a different sort of pain, and in a slightly different place but will check out the fodmap diet.

choc - he drinks no coffee and doesn't eat much fruit. Is partial to bacon and salami though.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Good luck for your DH for tomorrow. My brother had one last week and the sedative they gave him sure had him flying as high as a kite - so no worries on that count

[ormirian]

Thank you.

He has just finished the last pack of liquid dinorod (texture of thin snot apparently). Stomach cramps easing finally. Poor bugger...just rushed off to the loo again! Grim. Is it really necessary to use that much?

[Bunbaker]

Yes it is. If the bowel isn't clean they can't get an accurate result.

[GlassTrees]

My DH has got diverticulitis and is currently having an attack. Google it and see if it sounds similar to your DH s pain.

[ormirian]

Glasstrees, that's interesting. Nhs site mentions certain painkillers can trigger this. He was on several fairly heavy duty kinds for a frozen shoulder last year for months. Hope your husband is better soon.

Can't sleep. Back is killing me and just lying here fretting

[AngryFeet]

Lower or upper abdominal pain Orm?

[ormirian]

Lower

[ormirian]

We're back! They removed 7 polyps. He also has diverticulitis! But nothing worse. Phew! I was in such a state but my acting skills must be better than I realised as dh didn't know I was scared.

So... GPS appointment next week. Change in diet on the cards.

Thanks everyone.

Can I just say how lovely Shepton mallet treatment centre is. Can't fault it or the staff.

[Bunbaker]

Glad it all went well

[KurriKurri]

Glad they have found out what's been causing the problems -hope he's feeling better soon

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Well done.. You've inspired me to get one done (family history of bowel cancer).

[chocoluvva]

Glad your DH has a definite diagnosis OP.

Hearts - do get one done. (I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer at the age of 43- fine now three years later)