Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 1 Location: pismo beach, california
Should I Have This Procedure?? Posted: 01-28-04 14:42pm
In recent months, i've experienced a pain
in my lower right abdomen...As well as
problems with being either constipated or
having diarrea. My doctor gave me a
pelvic exam and determined that it was not
my appendix. She thought it might be a
cyst on my right ovary, so she ordered me
to have an external and pelvic ultrasound.
I went to the local hospital to have
this done (which was quite humiliating
since it was two younger men doing the
procedure, with a nurse in the room).
My doctor called me this morning to inform
me that the ultrasounds were normal - and
now she wants me to have a barium enema
and a colonoscopy because of the bowel
problems i've had. These seem like
very invasive procedures to me - and since
i'm only 26 years old, i'm wondering if
these procedures are necessary. I feel
like I should try to change my diet or
drink more water, exercise more -
something along those lines...Before I get
poked and prodded by another doctor. My
husband of course is concerned and thinks
I should go ahead and do these procedures
- but I feel like it's just a little much
since i've only had the pain for a few
months intermittantly - and especially
since the ovary problems have been ruled
out. Any advice is much
appreciated...I'm very apprehensive about
the enema/colonoscopy situation.
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sammisa
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 250 Location: Washington, State
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Re: Should I Have This Procedure?? Posted: 01-28-04 14:52pm
All I can say is that it is better for you
to get it taken care of right away, rather
than waiting. It will only get worse, and
worry you to death. I would just get it
out of the way good luck to you
!!
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christyb
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 2 Location: TN
to Kristen Posted: 01-28-04 23:02pm
Kristen, I too have had these pains in my
lower right side and I am still having
them. I am only 24 years old but these
pains started when I was 11yrs. I would
do these test just to make sure it could
be ibs that s what I was told but I was
also told about 5yrs ago I had
endometriosis and would never have kids
ihave a happy 1 yr old now but maybe the
doctors can find out your problem even
though mine cant and if they do let me
know because I would like to have some
comfort too!! But go to your doctor!!!!!
I know it can be very frustrating!!
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Jaydensmommy
Advanced Support Team
Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 1770 Location: , USA
Thanks: 4
Thanked:1
Posted: 02-05-04 00:08am
I personally would have the procedures
done so it dosen't lead to something else.
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becky arthur
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 2 Location: washington
Enema/colonoscopy Posted: 02-06-04 17:35pm
I have had to do both. I was scared of
the enema but it wan't to bad. I felt so
empty afterwards. I tend to have regular
bowel problems. I'm seeking treatment
but I now do enemas every other month.
I'm not addicted to them or anything but
they do help. After the colonoscopy I
had really loud gas. If you can try to
laugh about it should make you feel
better. It was worth knowing that
everything was ok then not knowing if
there could be something wrong. I was 29
and now 32.
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swmeg
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Canada
Posted: 02-07-04 18:17pm
I was only 18 when I had to have both of
those tests. I was really sick at the
time so really had no choice. I was
terrified that I had cancer and was scared
of finding out the results. But ended up
it was ibs alot better then cancer.
Diseases have no preference in age so it
is best to swallow your pride and have the
tests done. They are not as bad as they
use to be, when I had my colonoscopy done
22 years ago it was painful and I was very
embarassed, the gas pain afterwards were
awful.I was in misery for moer than a day
my bowels hurt so much. I was glad
afterwards because I had alot of polyps
which they snipped out and did a biospy
while up in there. I checked out ok but
if left those polyps could of turned
cancerous. Good luck , I wish you well.
Meg
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fitandwell
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 71
Posted: 02-09-04 15:22pm
You should go ahead with the procedures
recommended by your doc, I know they are
embarrassing but hey whats a bit of
embarrassment if they find out whats wrong
with you or manage to put your mind at
rest, hope everythings okay
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 02-16-04 19:12pm
Yeah, definately have the procedure. I
have had both, but I was put to sleep.
Because they also went in through my
throat too. I lost 16 pounds from the
procedure (because they clean you out
while they are in there) and it took four
years to gain it back.
But besides that great plus, this will
rule out a lot of serious problems. It
could be ibs which is very easily
treatable.
As for the endometriosis it could very
well be. Depending on the severity of
the disease and where the tissue is
growing it can be very hard or impossible
to have children, but if you get the
tissue cut out it will increase fertility
greatly. Chances of miscarrying are also
greater, but if you are meant to have
children, you will. That is the way I
see it. But anyway, back to your
original question. Go to the test! It
cant hurt. You will have gas afterwards
and this is because they pump you full of
tons of air in order to expand intestines
to see better.
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CrombieChic16
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 745
Posted: 02-25-04 13:18pm
Hey kirsten,
first off, I just want you to know that
you're not alone in this...So many people
go through these things but because no one
talks about it, when it happens to you,
you feel isolated...I've had digestive
problems for more than half of my life(i'm
only 16) but finally cooperated with my
parents when I was about 13....I had 3
colonoscopies when I was 14 and 15...They
gave me a local sedative that put me to
sleep, well I was extremely nervous and so
scared that I ended up waking up in the
middle of the procedure! It was more
comical than painful lol trust me...But
anyway, don't be afraid of getting one
done, there's a reason you're getting
pains in your abdomen, and this procedure
is nothing to worry about at all..I've had
worst believe me...As for the enema, that
was next on the list if all the other
tests and procedures came up with
nothing...Thank god they finally figured
my body out...Turns out I have what they
call functioning constipation...Basically
im constipated all the time, sometimes
dont go to the bathroom for 2-3
weeks...Pretty painful, but I deal with
it....But point is..Don't let it get to
that point, where you're feeling so
horrible that you just wanna give
up..Confide in your husband and tell him
how ur feeling, im sure he'll be there for
you....And if ur that worried about the
colonoscopy, ask to be given general
anesthesia...Needless to say I got that
after my little "waking up incident" the
next time around! Lol if you need
anything at all, please feel free to pm me
anytime...I know what it feels like to be
in the dark!