Postby sean » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:08 pm
If you read the post again carefully...
If you are having a persistent intestinal problem that is causing you concern:
1. Bring it up with your regular doctor
2. If problem persists w/o a diagnosis, gastroenterologist
3. If still unresolved push for more tests. The best is colonoscopy.
4. "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" is not a diagnosis I would accept.
Get your family history. It's stuff you need to know anyway & it may help you persuade a doctor to order a colonoscopy if your doctor or specialist can't find the source of your problem.
Most people here are relatively young & have colon cancer. Their immediate relatives should be screened because there often is no symptom.
"Are sticky stools a sign of colon cancer"
Again... the usual symptom of colon cancer is no symptom until it is advanced beyond the colon. Sometimes people get lucky & there are clues before it has spread. If your bowel habits have changed I would take that seriously & check it out. Pay attention to your GI tract. Do you get the occasional stomach pain? Do you get gas cramps? Start tracking these things to help your doctor diagnose you.
I had occasional gas and cramps that I didn't notice until my brother visited with a stomach virus. The next cramp I figured was the clue I was getting it. Since I was paying attention I realized I was getting these cramps once or twice every day. A month or so later I decided to go to my doctor. The cramps became more frequent. Diet first - doc said I had too much fiber. Then IBS - the medication reduced the pain, but gave me vision problems. Then incredible cramping which led to a whirlwind ultrasound, barium enema, CT, surgery scheduled, colonoscopy, surgery, and pathology report of cancer.
Not every bowel symptom is cancer. I bet most aren't, but if your body is giving you a clue that something isn't working, I'd listen. I'm not an expert on the GI tract, but from the little I know it could be your colon, small intestine, gall bladder, pancreas, liver, or something you haven't identified in your diet. You were smart to ask for advice, now be smart and do step #1 above. Good luck.
42 - dx Jan 3 2007 stage IIA colon
9 FOLFOX4, 3 5-FU completed Sep 24 2007
Blockage symptoms, Negative Colonoscopy, Positive PET Oct 2009
2nd Resection Oct 2009 - Suspected Local Recurrence was Negative