Distressing Digestive Symptoms: Seeking Guidance
Hello everyone, I’m a 38-year-old female named F, and I'm reaching out because I've been experiencing some alarming digestive issues for the past several weeks. Approximately five weeks ago, I started feeling intense pain on the left side of my abdomen shortly after meals. To my shock, I noticed that my bowel movements included orange mucus with no solid stool, which soon escalated to blood. The next day, my condition slightly improved with the passing of small pebble-like stools along with more orange mucus, but then I had a thin stool again. Unfortunately, this troubling pattern persisted, prompting me to visit my doctor. During that appointment, he detected what he believed to be an abdominal mass and arranged for a referral to gastroenterology within two weeks. At my gastro appointment, the doctor was unable to feel any mass but recommended a colonoscopy to further investigate my symptoms. I am terrified of the bowel preparation involved with this procedure and being in a hospital alone. I was informed that my husband wouldn't be permitted to accompany me pre- or post-procedure, which led me to opt instead for a CT colonoscopy, scheduled for Monday. In addition to my primary symptoms, I have developed sensitivity in my upper abdomen. It feels like no matter what I eat, within ten minutes, my stomach and intestines become excessively loud—almost disturbingly so. I continue to have frequent episodes of loose stools, some mucus-streaked, and varying between clear and orange. This ongoing situation has me feeling incredibly anxious. Both my father and uncle died from lung cancer, and two of my aunts succumbed to serious cancers as well, one from stomach cancer and the other from breast cancer, alongside a history of bladder cancer in my maternal grandmother. I wake up each day with stomach discomfort, often leading to loose or thin stools, which include intermittent mucus discharge. Despite adhering to a bland diet, my symptoms persist, and I'm grappling with incessant nausea. I’m expected to begin the bowel prep on Sunday using Omnipaque 300 oral solution, which I find overwhelming. I have a severe fear of vomiting, making the prospect of drinking three doses of this solution frightening for me. I feel as though my condition is worsening, and my fear is all-consuming. A couple of weeks ago, I went to the emergency department, where an abdominal ultrasound was performed on my pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and other organs, all of which appeared normal. My blood test results were mostly fine, except for a slight elevation in white blood cell count at 12.37. My calprotectin stool test returned normal, and while my home FOB test was initially positive, it has recently been negative. Therefore, I am seeking answers: What conditions might explain these worrisome symptoms? Could I be facing a cancer diagnosis? Why is my stomach and bowel making such loud noises after eating nearly anything? Furthermore, what are the chances that the Omnipaque preparation will induce vomiting? And lastly, would a CTC be productive, or could it ultimately lead to a traditional colonoscopy anyway? I’m truly frightened and would appreciate any insights or advice. Thank you for your support. xx
Answers (1)
3/21/2025, 7:30:46 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about the distressing symptoms you've been experiencing. It's understandable to feel anxious given the situation, but there are steps we can take to address your concerns.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms, including abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, and loud stomach noises, can be distressing and suggest that further investigation is necessary.
- The upcoming bowel preparation and the anxiety surrounding it are valid concerns, especially given your sensitivity to vomiting.
- It’s good that you are being proactive with medical advice and scheduled tests like the CT colonoscopy.
Explanation: Your symptoms could be due to a variety of causes, including but not limited to inflammatory bowel conditions (like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), food intolerances, or infections. The presence of mucus in your stools and the abdominal pain are important details for your healthcare team to consider.
The elevated white blood cell count can suggest some form of inflammation or infection, but it does not specifically indicate cancer. It's natural to worry given your family history, but many digestive issues can present with the symptoms you're describing.
The loud noises (borborygmi) from your stomach typically indicate increased gut activity, which can happen after eating. This may be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, digestion stress, or a potential underlying gastrointestinal condition.
Next Steps:
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Prepare for the Colonoscopy: To ease the anxiety around the bowel prep, consider discussing your fears with your healthcare provider. They might be able to provide anti-nausea medication or suggest ways to make the process more tolerable, like chilling the solution before drinking it.
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Symptoms Monitoring: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, including what you eat, any pain episodes, and bowel movements. This can help your doctors understand your patterns better.
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Prepare for the CT Colonoscopy: Engage with your healthcare team about your concerns regarding the procedure and possible outcomes. They can provide reassurance and information to help mitigate your anxiety.
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Self-Care Strategies: Focus on staying hydrated and consider gentle, calming activities like deep breathing or distraction techniques during the bowel prep. Clearing your mind through light comfort activities may also help during this time.
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Post-Test Plan: If the CT colonoscopy does suggest further investigation, remember that a traditional colonoscopy is often considered the definitive test, but your doctors will discuss this thoroughly with you based on the findings.
Reassurance: It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, especially with such significant symptoms and fears. You’re doing the right thing by seeking help and getting these tests. Remember to reach out to someone close for emotional support during this time, as sharing your concerns can also alleviate some burden.
Take things one step at a time, and remember that your healthcare team is there to support you through this process.
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