Update on Me
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
November 26, 2008 4:31pm CST
Sorry gang for not posting in a long time, things are just so hectic around here.
I am trying to find a new place to live,
and
I went to the the specialist for my irritable bowel syndrome,
the doctors say the cause of the diarrhea could be from three things,
1 - I might be lactose in tolerant and so he is sending me for blood tests and the lactose intolerance test.
2- I had my gallbladder out 20 years ago, and he said something this happens to people who have their gallbladders out over time like this.
3 - or it could be metformin which I am taking for diabetes, he said this is a side affect of this medication,
He is also sending me for a barium enema or a colonoscopy which is the tube up the rear,
and the endoscopy which is the tube down the throat.
I am a bit scared.
So here are my discussion questions,
have you ever be afraid to go for tests?
do you have any side effects from any medication that you are taken?
7 people like this
23 responses
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Nov 08
My thoughts and prayers are with you during all your test days.
I used Zyban to assist me in trying to quit smoking years ago. I got some really bad side effects. Zyban is an antidepressant. I got so moody and irritable with them in my system so I had to stop taking them as I couldn't even stand myself yet alone other people having to deal with my moodiness etc. Yes I still smoke and have even tried Chantix.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
yep grandpa I am with gabs on that, I hope you can find something to help you and finally help for me too.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
26 Nov 08
I would be afraid of the endoscopy. The colonoscopy doesn't worry me all that much. I have to have one done. When you reach the age of 50 it is recommended that you get this test. Having a friend die from colon cancer makes me really want to get one to rule out any problems.
I hope that all goes well for you with the tests. Hope that the search for your new living quarters goes well too. If I had to search for a new home it would be difficult for me. I have become fussy over the years. But, I know that one day I will need to settle for a place that isn't 100% to my liking. Unless of course I win the lottery. 
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
27 Nov 08
I am fearful of both. I would hope they would put me to sleep if I had to have an endoscopy. I know that they want you to get the colonoscopy at fifty, but neither hubby nor I have done so.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
well I am over 53 almost 54
and I can't be fuzzy I have to take what I can afford.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 Nov 08
Good luck on all your trest hugs
and nope never worried about any tests.
and I do beleive on most meds it does say that diarea can be a side oaffect.
Now they put ya asleep for the rear test.
as for the throat one not sure how they do that now.
I havent had to have any of this done to me but daughter had the rear teast when they didnt put ya to sleep! and hubby had the one down the throat.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
29 Nov 08
yes I had the rear where they didn't put you to sleep as well and I think I am having the same one again.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
27 Nov 08
I'm lactose intolerant. Its hard to watch others eat anything, but feel terrible, if I eat dairy. Hope your testing is over quickly.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
It is an ongoing thing with me continuously going for testing for this or that.
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
29 Nov 08
i had a flexi-sigmoidscopy (i think its what it is called) and i have had the endoscopy.. the flexi they only go half way up your colon and dont knock you out so it was horrible to be awake for that.. the worst was the prep for it since the laxatives didnt work and so they tried several different things on me and then my medication got funky since i couldnt eat while i was prepping.. but at least you will be put under if you have the full and also for the other endoscopy.. the endoscopy gave me a sore throat for a day or two.. it wasnt bad at all though.. i dont remember anything and prep was easy.. just didnt eat the night before.. but i made the mistake of drinking a coke a cola afterwards and the carbonation burned that irritated area and omg it hurt!! other than that i was drowsy for the day but definitely easy compared to a lot of things i have done!!
it will be ok.. i hope everything comes out good and you get answers fast!! the worst part is waiting to find out what adn how to deal with things
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
29 Nov 08
thank you so much for putting my mind at ease.
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
29 Nov 08
no prob.. i had the flexi scope when i was like 23 and then a year ago i had the endo and i was like the only person my age with fibro that had had either so i know how scary it is to just not know what to expect and then when you do hear stuff its awful..
my mom has had colon cancer before so she has to get the colonoscopy every year or so and they knock her out and she says at most she is groggy that day and maybe a little sore but most people arent even sore.. at least with being knocked out fibro wont keep your muscles tense.. i know there is no way i can relax my muscles at all!! so i think that was why mine was horrible.. but only during it.. i think it takes only like 10 minutes or so and if they mention ulcers in the colonoscopy dont freak out because the prep meds can cause temporary ulcers to appear at the time of the exam.. they didnt tell me this at all and i left hearing i had a ton of ulcers and thought i was dying!! got the results and they said i was fine and i asked and they said it was because the medication/prep had irritated (especially since i had to do it a few times) my colon.. made me wanna slap that nurse for having me so worried the whole time!!
oh and if you are GIVEN the choice on prep for the colonoscopy choose the pills.. the stuff they usually only let you do is drink this horrible stuff and it doesnt work as good.. my digestion being messed up made the stuff not work.. i got the pills and they worked instantly.. if your insurance will cover it.. some times you have to ask for them.. i dont know why they dont prescribe it more!! and then maybe you wont have to go a few days trying different things and screwing up your system..
@annjilena (5618)
• United States
5 Dec 08
its going to be ok i have irrtable bowel syndrome found out when i was young i had it.there was times i had diarrhea and there was times i had a hard time using the rest room.iam lactose intorerlant.but i still have my gallbladder.i also take metformin that causes me to have diarrhea at times not all the time.it also cause me to lose weight as well.i had colonoscopy up the rear but they will give you something to make sure you ,re comfortable while doing this test.it,s normal to be afraid but it,s going to be ok
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
5 Dec 08
i had that test before I am not afraid of it,
I was afraid of the tube down the throat but I am not anymore,
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
26 Nov 08
When I had cancer I was always so scared when I had to go for testing to see if the chemo did what it was supposed to do. My youngest daughter had to have a colonoscopy done a few years ago and the test was no problem for her but I will be honest, the stuff she had to drink for that test was horrible she said. The only side effect from medications was the dirrhea and after the medicine got out of the system it was much better. I didn't know that you could find out about lactose with blood work!
I am sure that stress could also be a problem with the diarrhea.
I sure hope you can find a place soon and get moved and settled in and then things can get better for you.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
yea I had the colonscopy before so I know what that is like, not looking forward to it though.
the endoscopy is what scares me the tube down the throat
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
forgot to say, no they will do the lactose intolerance test the same time as the blood tests.
I have to drink a concoction and then they jab my finger and test the blood.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
27 Nov 08
I think I stopped being afraid of medical tests when I ended up with chronic illnesses and pains that I would love to see go away. 
I had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy done about a year or 18 months ago. The endoscopy is nothing. And the colonoscopy...since I had one 20+ years ago and know what the procedure was like back then, the new way of doing them is a piece of cake.
Sadly, the tubes up and down still don't reach what's in the middle, which is where my problems turned out.
I pray you'll get some answers and some relief.
I had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy done about a year or 18 months ago. The endoscopy is nothing. And the colonoscopy...since I had one 20+ years ago and know what the procedure was like back then, the new way of doing them is a piece of cake.
Sadly, the tubes up and down still don't reach what's in the middle, which is where my problems turned out.
I pray you'll get some answers and some relief. 1 person likes this
@LovesTravel (303)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Winterose, good luck with your search for a new home and with your medical tests. May your new digs be pleasant and comfortable, and may they provide you and your household with a setting for all manner of joyful events.
As for your tests, I will be hoping (1) that they discover the root of the problem and (2) that the "fix" is an easy one. You deserve a bit more comfort in your life.
And finally, as regards the tests, I think we are always afraid where such tests are concerned--afraid of the process and afraid of the possible outcome. Life is fragile, and our bodies can and do betray us. We are afraid of what we do not control. It's natural--and even wise--to be afraid. It means we are paying attention.
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
27 Nov 08
{{Rose}} You poor dear!! I've had two endoscopy's they are ok, Your throat
will be a bit sore after wards but that is it; I'd say treat yourself to a nice
milkshake but not if you are lactose intolerant;
I would say "stress" for all the things you are dealing with is for sure
most of your diarrhea problems, that nice medical term they give for it
is Irritable Bowel syndrome LOL! YA THINK??
But to be honest I'd rather be having the "trots" than to be bound up and NOT
able to go for a day or two, now that is painful!!
Colonoscopy's aren't bad its that nasty crap we have to drink before hand is what
makes them awful! I am due up for another myself as its almost been 10 years
now since my last one, I keep telling them good luck on getting me back in there
for another one, pity they can't come up with a better tasting mix to take in order to get that test done; BLEH!
Well I hope they do find out some things from your tests, good luck to you;
again the endoscopy is not that bad just a bit sore in the old throat, be
glad we are knocked out for that one...LOL!
I take metformin too so far I've not had any loosey goosey side effects but
we all react differently to meds...???
life itself is soooooo stressssful!!!!
have you found a place yet to move too?? I would NOT want to be doing that
this time of year;
Try to have a good Thanksgiving ok??
One day at a time! Just one day at a time!!
{{hugs }}
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
thanks hon, though it is not my thanksgiving, in canada we have it on october but you do have a happy thanksgiving.
I have had the colonscopy before, so I know all about the chalky barium enema stuff you have to drink.
do you have to prepare for the endoscopy like take some crappy stuff to drink?
no for a new place yet but I will keep looking I don't care if I have to break my lease I don't want to live here anymore.
1 person likes this
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
27 Nov 08
Winterose, you don't have to do anything different for the endoscopy if they do it at the same time.. My husband had both of the procedures done at the same time, so it was no more trouble for the second procedure since it was done while he was still out from the first procedure.. dreamweaverjan is right, the procedure itself isn't that bad, it is that nasty stuff that you have to drink that is the worst. Good luck..
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
27 Nov 08
I am so sorry that you are not well. I too hate going for tests and also need a colonoscopy but am so scared of having it done. I also had my gall bladder out about four years ago but so far - no ill effects. I honestly don't thin that I could take the tube down the throat as I gag easily. They woul dhave to sedate me heavily before this could happen. I would just keep throwing up regretfully.
whe I had the gall bladded out by keyhole surgery I had to ask them to take out the tube before I woke up.
Of course, you are scared and tell them that you are scared too. Maybe they will sedate you to help you with this. god Bless, I hope that it will turn out o.k. Forgot to answer re meds. No , no side effects from bp medication.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
I am not so scared anymore, the people here have been really informative, and you apparently don't gag with the tube so that is good.
@Llonorra22 (1150)
• Philippines
28 Nov 08
Yes. I'm very afraid when they're getting my blood count. The needle hurts a lot!
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
27 Nov 08
Ok that explains to me now why I have got it
I have had my Gallbladder out 5 months ago as you know and I have got irritable Bowels I have been like this for 4 months now and I have to take Tablets now
I hope everything goes fine for you
Hugs
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
thanks hon, yea I had my gallbladder out when I was 30 now it is just ridiculous I can't function anymore so something has to be done.
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
27 Nov 08
Sorry to hear that a lot of things have been happening. Hopefully, though with these tests, the doctor will find a solution to your discomfort and pain. Only side effects I ever had with any medications was after I had some teeth work done, and the pain meds they gave me made me very ill. It was horrible, the pain medication wasn't even in my system long enough to take the pain away.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92719)
• United States
27 Nov 08
I've had an endoscopy twice. Because they numb your throat, the process isn't as horrible as it sounds. Shoving a camera down a person's throat does sound quite intimidating. My sister has irritable bowel syndrome, and she is lactose intolerant. But she also had her gallbladder out, and that contributes to the problem as well. She had an colonoscopy. She woke up in the middle of it, but I know that hardly ever happens. The doctor said it is very rare. They just didn't knock her out with enough 'stuff.' They put her right back under. My dad had a colonoscopy a couple times, and he never woke up during it.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
I was never put to sleep when I had my last colonoscopy. Wow I didn't even know they did that.
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
27 Nov 08
I take the medformin for my diabetes, and yes I do think it mixed with other medicines has side effects. It makes me have to go to the bathroom as soon as I eat. But I also am having problems with my gal bladder too. so it looks live me and you in the same shape. I was sent for those test you mentioned and I have been there and seen it done and the only way I will do that is to be put asleep while it is happening. I have made up my mind that I have been hurt enough in my life with these tests that are given. I am under the impression that what is in our colon is what is keeping us down. My daughter who is just shy of finishing her nurse's training agrees with me, she bought this box of cereal and she said it has cleaned out her colon in one day and will give me the name of it when I go over there to day. I will let you know what it is when I get back this evening. I also think that a lot of our health problems comes from not what we eat, but how we mix the foods together and eat them.Certain types of food should not be eaten with other certain foods and putting these together in our systems causes problems, as for lactose tolerant, my son was just told he is, after all the years of drinking or eating dairy products they now tell him he is not suppose to have dairy productsl. I was advised by a person on here to change to the medfomin that it does wonders, but I find when mixing it with the other medicines that I take it has given me lots more problems. Maybe you could try changing your diabetes medicine and see if that stop the problem.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
I have to go for the tests, as I said in the posts, this specialist is telling me tell my diabetes doctor to change the metformin for something else because it causes diarrhea and since I have it already it is making it worse. I will tell him when I see him next in January.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
27 Nov 08
Rose, I'm so glad I saw this post. I may have an answer for you. I too suffer from IBS with the diahrea issue. I also had my gallbladder out. I had an endoscopy years ago from a specialist (I know different scopy than you'd think) but after talking to her about my IBS issues she prescribed a medication for me called Cholestyramine. Its orginal creation was to treat high cholesterol, but they found it has added benefits for IBS. Its a powder that you mix with water or juice and drink. Within about 30 minutes all symptoms are gone - including the diahrea. For awhile I used it daily, but now I just use it when symptoms reoccur. This may be something your doctor can prescribe for you? I've suggested it to others I've come across with IBS like us and they also say it has helped them as well. OH, and that specialist I saw said the IBS issues stemmed from having had the gallbladder out. She said when we lose our gallbladder it can mess up our colon. So maybe your doctors won't have to do those scopes on you? I had mine because I also have Acid Reflux Disease. Anyway, check with your doctor and I wish you the best.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
my doctor gave me the prescription for that, I am using it now, but he still wants the tests to make sure nothing serious is going on with me.
