What is wrong with me - Bowels & Stomach

[GmcD]

This has been going on for 6 months and had very similar problems a few years ago. Today I have diarrhea and mucus, tomorrow I may have constipation and mucus. I also have thick saliva in my throat that is making me nauseous and sometimes I am sick after eating, ususally I through up a lot of saliva/mucus. This has also happened in the past and I believe I posted about it here.

I had some blood on my stool last week but I think that was from excessive straining and or hemeroids as it only lasted a few days although it was heavy and covered a stool, bright red and fresh. Today my stool also had what looked like puss in it, white stuff that I have never seen before.

3 or 4 years ago I got a barium xray but it didn't show anything, 2 weeks ago I got a abdominal and pelvis ultrasound but haven't got the results back as I also have a pain just below my sternum, in the middle, it's very tender to touch, proton pump prohibitors do nothing. Doctor said I wouldn't hear from him if the didn't find anything until my next appointment in February.

I know everyone will say IBS but I don't have any pain where my colon is, only upper abdominal tenderness that is constant. I also tested positive for H Pylori and the meds I took (2 antibacterial and a PPI) did absolutely nothing, finished the course about 3 weeks ago.

I also have a very sharp pain in my upper abdominal after eating, its more so if I relax my stomach, it is very sharp and scary, I have to hold my stomach in as I can't bear the pain.

When I see my doctor next he said he will order me a colonoscopy but I feel its my stomach that is causing me problems, do you think I should demand a stomach coloscopy instead? It's driving me crazy and it is consuming my life.

I am a very stressful person and am always worried about something, I snap easy and get aggitated for no reason. I am 42.

---------- Post added at 16:46 ---------- Previous post was at 16:41 ----------

hmmm it's been that long http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?p=522493#post522493 I guess that pain below my sternum isn't that major as surely after almost 5 years the pain would of gotten worse and or caused other symptoms? But that doesn't answer the question of what is causing it.

[Althea]

What you're holding in isn't your stomach, though--it's your abdomen. Your stomach is up under your ribs. In general, what you're describing sounds more intestinal, so a colonoscopy is exactly the thing to do to explore it further.

However, I encourage you to find a goal other than simply "answering the question," because most HA sufferers want a level of certainty that we're not going to get with chronic, nondestructive pain from anxiety, IBS, etc. What tests mostly do is rule stuff out, not give specific answers, so it would be good for you to find a peaceful spot even without a confirmed test result. Have you approached your health anxiety directly through therapy, online CBT, anything like that?

[honeyp1e]

I suffer all the same s u but always constipated but the pain/discomfort etc all the same I've had a million & one tests done all came back fine doc said IBS flare up for the past few days mainly just above navel and to the left feels real tender :(

[Worriedwellornot]

GmcD I have all the same symptoms as you and has been ongoing since Sept. So far have had blood tests - negative, h pylori - negative. My next step would be to request an endoscopy and colonoscopy :(

[St3v3n]

Hi GmcD, I had similar experience a few months back. Got stool tests, a CT scan followed by a colonoscopy and endoscopy and all came back normal. What really surprised me was how ill I had been able to make myself feel before the tests even though I was actually physically healthy. By all means follow up your symptoms with your dr, but I couldn't agree more with Althea. Having managed to obtain some level of certainty over my bowels I have just moved onto other things. I do hope you feel better soon, take care.

[Jojomarymoo]

Hi GmcD, I know how you feel! I've been having problems for last few weeks....constant loose stools, pain in colon area, sore stomach and a very swollen belly. I had a kidney infection a month ago and was given antibiotics, but at the same time changed anti depressants to sertraline which I've heard a lot about stomach problems with. I've been to docs who thinks I could have an infection of the gut, having a test for this and also ultrasound, might need to go to specialist..so my health anxiety kicks in and I've got colon cancer. I know from google that there are other non life threatening reasons but I can't stop worrying or help myself with an addiction to googling. I cannot bear the wait thinking that time is of the essence, my mind is on it all the time.

[Fishmanpa]

According to my new Bristol Stool Chart coffee mug, I've been between a 1-3 for some time now ;)

Positive thoughts

[Althea]

Puts a new slant on that big foam finger, doesn't it :)?

[Fishmanpa]

Puts a new slant on that big foam finger, doesn't it :)?

I prefer Metamucil thank you very much ;)

Positive thoughts

[GmcD]

Turned out to be nothing serious, had a colonoscopy and a endoscope on the same day, a few polyps and some gastritis. And you are right St3v3n ( now something else has come up that is giving me bad anxiety. I cant win (