Aug 13, 2003
This morning I went to the hospital to have barium x-rays of my small intestine. At least the barium wasn't as bad tasting as the purge solution I had to drink yesterday. The procedure took about two hours, as the radiologist had to wait until the barium had reached my small intestine. But it was worth the wait. The doctor told me the lining on the intestine looked fine.
The doctors still haven't found a reason for my anemia, but I was put on high potency iron. I was also given a special diet that will not only help with my GERD, but also with the Diverticulosis.
Aug 12, 2003
My morning began at 5:30 AM. I had to get up and take one Reglan tablet. I was told that would help with any nausea I may experience while drinking the gallon of purge solution. At 6:00 AM I had to start drinking the purge solution, trying to drink an 8 oz. glass every 5-10 minutes. It was really hard to do, but I managed it. By 11:00 AM the prep for my procedures was finished.
My husband and I arrived at the outpatience surgery area a little before my check-in time of 12:30 PM. My husband came with me because I wouldn't be able to drive after the procedures because of the sedation. And they needed to be able to talk to someone afterwards who would remember what they said. After a lot of questions, including asking me if I knew why I was having a colonoscopy and gastroscopy (the EGD), an IV was inserted. This was to help replace fluids I lost during prep, and as an easy means for the doctor to administer the sedation.
Most of what happened during my procedures I don't remember, but some of it I do. My husband said I was gone about 45 minutes, but it didn't seem nearly that long to me, so I must not be remembering too much of it. But a couple of times I did rouse enough to know what was happening. During the gastroscopy when they were removing the scope, and during the colonoscopy when I said it hurt and the doctor ordered more of something to be administered. I don't remember anything after that, until they were telling me I could sit up.
The diagnoses I received:
The doctor said my lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was very loose. In fact, I retched at one point during the gastroscopy, and the doctor said part of my stomach slid up into my esophagus through the very loose LES, and then dropped back down afterwards. But fortunately there was no evidence of Barrett's esophagus, esophagitis, or any other complication caused by the GERD.
A few things were found, and not found, during the colonoscopy. About three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Now I've been told I have Diverticulosis. I also have hemorrhoids. The doctor told me he removed a couple of polyps, but they weren't anything to worry about. What the doctor didn't find was any bleeding, etc., that could be the cause of my anemia. Hemorrhoids can and do bleed, but as this seems to be the cause of my rectal bleeding, it wasn't enough to cause my anemia. In a way this is good news. But now we have to figure out what the real cause of my anemia is.
Tomorrow I have to go back to the hospital, outpatient, for follow through x-rays of my small intestine. I'll have to drink something (again) with a dye in it, and x-rays will the taken as it goes through my digestive tract. So, no taking anything by mouth after midnight.
Aug 11, 2003
I have begun the prep for the colonscopy and EGD. Liquid diet today, and drinking extra water. At least 10-8oz glasses. So far, it's not as hard as I thought it would be. But it's only 4:00 pm. I may change my mind later. In an hour I have to drink a bottle of Magnesium Citrate. At 7:00 I will have to take two Dulcolax tablets. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning. I'll have to drink a GALLON of purge solution. I've never tried drinking a gallon of anything in a short period of time.
Aug 6, 2003
I couldn't go to work today. Even though I'm now only working four hours a day instead of eight as I used to, I knew I couldn't even do that today. I started my menstrual period yesterday. I don't know if that is what is contributing to my unsteadiness and weakness or not. It isn't as if I have any blood to spare with my anemia. All I know is I feel like I'm going to collapse if I move around very much. I hope they find out what's wrong with me next week, and tell me how to treat it. I hate feeling so wiped out all the time, and feeling even worse when anything else happens to me.
Aug 1, 2003
I experienced a IBS attack this morning. That was rough. After it subsided, I was totally drained and shaky. The
intestinal cramping and nausea are not pleasant. I didn't feel like eating but tried to push the fluids, especially water.
July 30, 2003
I went to the gastroenterologist today. He asked me a lot of questions about my symptoms, gave me a brief exam, and
told me I need to have a Colonoscopy performed. And since I'm a long-term GERD sufferer, a
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will be performed on the same day, Aug 12. When the nurse explained to me the
prep for the colonoscopy, I think I won't mind the procedure but I know I'm not going to enjoy the prep. As the nurse
said, my colon has to be "squeaky clean."
July 24, 2003
I got a call at work today from the doctor's office. The nurse said my latest blood test results came back. I'm anemic.
Do I feel relief that this feeling isn't all in my head, or do I feel upset that something more serious is going on to make me
anemic. I think it's probably both. I'm shaking again; my worry starting to get the upper hand. I need to think rationally
about this, and try to worry about something that may not even be wrong. I talked to my boss, telling her what my test
results were, and asking if something could be worked out concerning my work hours. I felt really drained yesterday at
the end of the work day, and worse today. I'm fortunate to have a very understanding and compassionate superior. She
said she'd work with me on this, and do what I needed. I will now be working four hours a day, Monday through
Friday. Hopefully, after a cause for my anemia is found and fixed, I'll be able to return to full-time.
July 22, 2003
At work this morning I passed a significant amount of rectal blood. It scared the crap out of me. I immediately called
my doctor, and got an appointment for this afternoon. This wasn't spotting. This was enough blood discharge to soak
the tissue and stain the water in the toilet bowel. I'm shaking; whether it's from the blood loss or fear, I don't know.
Later same day...
The doctor did a rectal exam. He said there can be this amount of bleeding from hemorrhoids. But he didn't find any
hemorrhoids. He said there was some inflamation, maybe caused by my frequent BMs (I used to have two BMs a day;
now I have them every hour and a half to two hours---if not more often), but he couldn't find any reason why I was
bleeding. He then told me I should see a gastroenterologist. I have an appointment for July 30. The doctor said he
didn't think it was anything too serious because, despite me passing blood rectally, my BMs look pretty normal; no "old
blood" there. As to my blood test results, the doctor said I'm iron deficient but it didn't show anemia. I have to have that
test redone to confirm results. I feel like I'm anemia. I can barely get through the day at my job; I see completely drained
after only four hours. I don't have any energy, and can barely function when I get home. What's wrong with me??
July17, 2003
I finally went to the doctor today. I have been having problems with intestinal cramping and the feeling of needing to
have a bowel movement without actually having one. Then I started spotting blood. It started about a week ago, only
occasionally, and only after several BMs. I assumed it was just caused by inflamed tissue. But I missed another at work
because I was feeling so tired and crampy, so I know I need to see the doctor and have things checked out. Also, my
hands are puffy, especially my left hand, and I need to ask the doc about this swelling.
Later same day...
The doctor has told me I'm suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. My sister has this; why didn't I connect my
symptoms with hers? The doctor is concerned about the rectal blood spotting. Also about the swelling in my hands. I
had x-rays on my hands, and the doc ordered several blood tests.
