Major meltdown over husband--fearing the worst

[SighNoMore]

I am so worried about my husband. I posted last week that he went to the doctor (finally) and had an x-ray that showed his bowels were very backed up. The doctor said he was not blocked, but very backed up. He started him on some Miralax, probiotics, and an antibiotic of an infection.

The Miralax is working very, very slowly. Very. It is moving some stuff, but he said he still feels backed up. He has been on it a week now. He is now having sharp pain in his side. It was present before, but it is becoming more and more constant (his right side).

All I can think is that he has cancer. Colon cancer, stomach cancer, etc. I am so scared. He has called the doctor to let them know about the side pain becoming more constant. I am just trying to not freak out, but I am.

[marc]

It is perfectly understandable to be scared for your husband. I am not sure how old he is,
but there are many other issues besides cancer that can cause constipation.

[SighNoMore]

He is a few years shy of 40. So I realize colon cancer isn't a highly viable possibility, but I am still scared nonetheless. Trying to not freak out.

[MrMoleHill]

My personal opinion, is that if I had a truly concerning issue of the bowels, I would go to a gastroenterologist, straight away. "Truly concerning issue" are the key words here. I wouldn't waste time with a general physician, because it seems they throw a lot of prescriptions and diagnostic tests at problems, hope that one works, and call it "practicing medicine". That's my personal opinion and my personal experience.

My father had colon cancer discovered at age 66, and his symptoms did not compare to the ones you describe. Additionally, there was no guesswork, because all it took was one properly performed colonoscopy, by a good specialist, to find it.

My guess is that you probably are just dealing with a benign issue of being "backed up", but I'm not the doctor, of course. I get sharp pains too, sometimes, including the right side, when I have to go, or have gas, or have my anxiety induced IBS, as well.  I will say that the preparation alone, for a colonoscopy, would definitely clear a person out, should you choose that route. However, I don't think that's the first course with people under age 50.  I'm age 36, and in light of my dad, I'll probably go at age 40, if I can stand to wait that long.

[beth0277]

I'm generally one to jump to worse case scenario, but being backed up does not = cancer, even in my mind. I don't think that would even cross my mind. People get backed up for all kinds of reasons, and I am not even sure what cancer would be associated with that.

[SighNoMore]

Thank you all. That is what my husband keeps saying. I think the pain added on that is seeming more constant makes me worry. I am just trying to not go off the deep end completely.

[SighNoMore]

Doesn't help that March is CC Awareness month. Sigh.

[SighNoMore]

Sitting here trying to not flip out. I wish he would go to a GI. He is headed back to the doctor today. Hopefully he gets answers. So nervous.

[trainwreck]

I am not an expert on test, but as I said before, if an xray could show that he was really backed up, wouldn't it show if something were causing the blockage? 

Keep us updated, and try to relax. 

[SighNoMore]

I am not an expert on test, but as I said before, if an xray could show that he was really backed up, wouldn't it show if something were causing the blockage? 

Keep us updated, and try to relax.

That is what I keep trying to tell myself. I will update. Thank you for your words! I appreciate them greatly.

[SighNoMore]

Freaking out. Sobbing. Colon cancer is apparently on the table. My husband is making a GI appointment right now to see when he can get in. I am sure it will take a few more appointments before he can get in and have the colonoscopy. I am so sick with fear.

[wegngis]

Peace to you.  Hopefully "on the table" means just that, it's a possibility as it is for the entire human race.  Are they in the "rule it out" mode, or "rule it in" mode?

[LindaRK]

I'm sure you can get into a GI sooner than you think - they hold out openings for patients who need to be seen ASAP.

What were his symptoms?

[SighNoMore]

He has been constipated for the last couple months, and feels like he doesn't completely empty his bowels. He was shown to be backed up via xray last week. He has been on Miralax and probiotics for a week and a half now. The miralax is helping a bit, but not completely.

He has developed a bruised/sore feeling at the base of his right ribs.

[wegngis]

I have a bruised/sore feeling at the base of my left ribs.  Sometimes it flares and makes it hard to breathe, other times it's just barely there.  A CT scan revealed non-specific inflammation, so basically they have no idea why it's there.

[SighNoMore]

Thanks for that info wegngis. Hopefully this is nothing. Just really scared.

[vwgreen]

I'm sure he's going to be fine. What's his diet like? Try adding lots of cruciferous vegetables and fiber and lots of water if you havent already. Kale is great too, maybe look into making some green smoothies. Leafy greens go a long way in the poop department lol

[MrMoleHill]

Thinking logically, I would be more concerned if he were not constipated, and still backed up. If one has "normal", loose, or watery stool, and is still backed up, then I'd think we had a true blockage. However, if he's constipated, than that in itself would seem to be the reason for the lack of bowel movement.

Regarding my father's symptoms, as I mentioned above, he was not constipated.  The blockage caused him to throw up everything he ate, within about 2 hours after a meal. He lost tons of weight and looked like a very sick old man.  And these symptoms didn't occur until stage four, by the way. According to his doctor, it took a very long time to develop, were talking years, as in a decade and most likely more.

My guess is that you'll just be looking at changing his diet and exercise routine.  Keep us posted.

[SighNoMore]

MrMoleHill that's the thing the Miralax is moving some stuff, and he is having loose stools because if that, but he said he still feels somewhat backed up. That is what worries me coupled with the pain I am just so scared.

[beth0277]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I know how scary it can be to worry about our husband/family. Okay, first, let's think rationally...who said "CC is on the table?" Was this a PCP? Was this a specialist? If he hasn't been to see a GI and heard those words, I wouldn't take them too literally. My PCP literally throws just about every scenario out as a possibility, because she is not a specialist in most things.

Regarding my father's symptoms, as I mentioned above, he was not constipated.  The blockage caused him to throw up everything he ate, within about 2 hours after a meal. He lost tons of weight and looked like a very sick old man.  And these symptoms didn't occur until stage four, by the way. According to his doctor, it took a very long time to develop, were talking years, as in a decade and most likely more.

I agree with this 1000%. My father died of CC. He had no constipation but eventually went to the doctor when he could no longer digest food, he would throw up just like mentioned above. That is because a tumor was blocking his intestines and not allowing food to pass. He was very late stage and the doctor said his tumor had probably been growing for at least 7 years.

A tumor doesn't grow overnight. The average time for a noncancerous polyp to turn into cancer is 10 years. A tumor would not be large enough to block your husband's bowels within a few weeks. He would have experienced ribbon thin stools for quite some time before being completely blocked. And if there was an obstruction, such as a tumor in his bowel, he would be passing really watery stools, that were just fitting around the tumor. And not watery as in taking laxatives watery. This would have been going on for some time.

I really think that your husband is going to be fine. If, and it is a HUGE if, it did turn out to be something like CC, there is a cure rate of about 95%. Your husband is young. He is going to be okay. I would imagine he is just backed up due to his diet, etc. My husband gets like that a lot and has to take a lot of over the counter stuff to keep him semi-regular. He has been backed up beyond belief before too.

Deep breaths. I bet they will get your husband in quickly, but I also bet everything will be fine!

[SighNoMore]

Thank you all. Seriously. I am crying tears of thankfulness that you are all here. I appreciate the support more than you will ever know.

And yes, his primary doc said that cc could be on the table. His doctor is a straight shooter. He said it was probably something else, but cc could be a possibility. I just hope and pray he is just blocked up and the pain is from that and nothing more.

Luckily they got him in for today (later this afternoon) at the GI. At first they couldn't, but the receptionist said I sounded worried so she found a cancellation for today. I am so thankful for that.

I will keep everyone updated.

[MrMoleHill]

...and just for the record, my dad is still living about four years later now, and all clear.  The only problem is that he went back to his old eating habits. 

[SighNoMore]

Thanks MeMoleHill! Just praying the GI doc gives him some direction and this is nothing more than constipation.

[LindaRK]

What a great and informative post from beth!

A few of my family members received the "C" diagnosis, not only from primary care docs, but even from specialists BEFORE tests were done.  None of them had it.   I don't know if these docs are trying to cover their butts or what, but wonder if they can even imagine the emotional damage these words can do to people .......

[beth0277]

I'm glad they got your husband in quickly. Please let us know how it goes!