Question and opinion please regarding my health.

[TonK]

A few members here know - but I've been having digestive issues for 5 years.

Within the last 6 months it got worse.

Now I had to see a specialist and I'm worried about the big "C".

He ruled out Crohn's so far. UC is plausibe.

Sonogram negative.

I lost a TON of weight and look sick.

I have swollen lymph nodes in my gut, diverticulosis, hernias and a few other things.

Doc said my digestive system is wrecked from my opiate use.

So far my insurance has denied my MRI even though my doctor and I pleaded with them saying I'm shitting blood and in pain all night.

I started Linzess - don't do shit.

Doctor don't know what's wrong.

So - I need to tell people why I've been absent from life. Usually I don't owe anyone an explanation - but I'm running out of fucking excuses to give people.

I need to say it in a non douchy way which is tough for me. I tend to virtue signal.

I'm also a slip away from back surgery.

 

[theMot]

Are you saying you need an MRI so the doctor can tell you what is actually wrong but you can’t afford it?

 

[yagamikun]

Dude, sorry to hear. I've had esophagus issues for the last 18 years - Barrett's disease caused by a hiatal hernia is the main issue. But I have had a fair amount of issues on the other end as well.

Are you talking with your family practitioner, or has he/she referred you to a GI specialist? I have to undergo an upper endoscopy every four years to make sure cancer isn't eating away at my digestive track. I also have to get a colon scope every 4-5 years as well now due to an issue diagnosed about 7 years ago. I've never had an MRI for my digestive issues, but the two scopes (colon scopes suck) might be something to explore if your doctor hasn't already? Also, second opinions are always something else to explore if one doctor is having a hard time diagnosing an issue.

I'll never understand the stinginess of American healthcare/insurance, but that's a whole other can of worms.

You may have gone through/thought of all this already, but I hope this helps.

 

[SouthtownKid]

A few members here know - but I've been having digestive issues for 5 years.

Within the last 6 months it got worse.

Now I had to see a specialist and I'm worried about the big "C".

He ruled out Crohn's so far. UC is plausibe.

Sonogram negative.

I lost a TON of weight and look sick.

I have swollen lymph nodes in my gut, diverticulosis, hernias and a few other things.

Doc said my digestive system is wrecked from my opiate use.

So far my insurance has denied my MRI even though my doctor and I pleaded with them saying I'm shitting blood and in pain all night.

I started Linzess - don't do shit.

Doctor don't know what's wrong.

Check into ulcerative colitis. If so, get on Colazal (Balsalazide disodium)

 

[neo_mao]

Tonk sorry to hear this. I have pretty serious digestive issues and had some major surgeries due to complications from them.

I’m assuming you’ve had colonoscopies and/or endoscopies? Did they not show anything? Bloodwork is also important...especially any tests that can show levels of inflammation in your body.

What does your current diet look like?

Digestive issues can be brutal...especially when you can’t eat/gain any nutrients from food. I’ve lost 55 pounds since April.

Hope it’s not the big C. Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[NeoSneth]

opiates probably damaged the nerves down there, and they aren't processing signals correctly.

why not get a colonoscopy instead of an MRI? Just say you have a family history of colon cancer. You never have to prove it to insurance.

 

[TonK]

Read through everything. Will respond later.

Have not had a colonoscopy or endoscopy yet.

Doc wants the liquid MRI first.

I've had every other test - including UV with contrast.

Dunno what this MRI will show.

 

[Neodogg]

Go up to Canada fir their ER?

 

[racecar]

are you over weight before ? history of gastrointestinal disease ? when did this start ? when you said blood in your stools are they fresh red or dark or black ?

 

[roker]

Hope you feel better, Tonk. I have to get CRTs every 5 years and my prostrate checked because of my stomach issues. I can definitely relate but it sounds like you're in the worst spot. nothing is worse than the stomach pains I get when I have flare-ups so man my heart goes out to you, bro.

 

[NeoSneth]

Read through everything. Will respond later.

Have not had a colonoscopy or endoscopy yet.

Doc wants the liquid MRI first.

I've had every other test - including UV with contrast.

Dunno what this MRI will show.

MRI is just less invasive, but also less informative. Not sure what the doctor expects to learn that you don't already know.

 

[TonK]

MRI is just less invasive, but also less informative. Not sure what the doctor expects to learn that you don't already know.

Exactly.

 

[TonK]

are you over weight before ? history of gastrointestinal disease ? when did this start ? when you said blood in your stools are they fresh red or dark or black ?

I was overweight from 2002-08.

No

5 years ago

Black once and bright red the rest

 

[TonK]

Hope you feel better, Tonk. I have to get CRTs every 5 years and my prostrate checked because of my stomach issues. I can definitely relate but it sounds like you're in the worst spot. nothing is worse than the stomach pains I get when I have flare-ups so man my heart goes out to you, bro.

Thanks ray ray.

Man, it's stupid as fuck. I'll get the urge to use the restroom, go, and when I'm done, I get horrible cramps and pains for about 5-6 hours after. It starts around now. My tongue starts to go numb and my back tenses up - I become freezing fucking cold and have to put my robe on.

So I'm going to be in the bathroom playing Dr. Mario World till around 8?

I ate a piece of toast with some peanut butter on it and my stomach looks like the aliens at the end of stage 2 on slug 3

 

[TonK]

Are you saying you need an MRI so the doctor can tell you what is actually wrong but you can’t afford it?

In layman's terms no. I can afford it, but if I go to the ER, there's a chance they won't give me the test my doctor needs. So do I drop $6k on a maybe? I'd get reimbursed - but I'm not sitting in a busy ass waiting room in Youngstown with COVID.

Dude, sorry to hear. I've had esophagus issues for the last 18 years - Barrett's disease caused by a hiatal hernia is the main issue. But I have had a fair amount of issues on the other end as well.

Are you talking with your family practitioner, or has he/she referred you to a GI specialist? I have to undergo an upper endoscopy every four years to make sure cancer isn't eating away at my digestive track. I also have to get a colon scope every 4-5 years as well now due to an issue diagnosed about 7 years ago. I've never had an MRI for my digestive issues, but the two scopes (colon scopes suck) might be something to explore if your doctor hasn't already? Also, second opinions are always something else to explore if one doctor is having a hard time diagnosing an issue.

I'll never understand the stinginess of American healthcare/insurance, but that's a whole other can of worms.

You may have gone through/thought of all this already, but I hope this helps.

It helps man. Thank you. Our healthcare system is borked. Anyway, I am seeing a specialist and will report back.

Check into ulcerative colitis. If so, get on Colazal (Balsalazide disodium)

On Linzess now - I can tell it's starting to take the edge off.

Tonk sorry to hear this. I have pretty serious digestive issues and had some major surgeries due to complications from them.

I’m assuming you’ve had colonoscopies and/or endoscopies? Did they not show anything? Bloodwork is also important...especially any tests that can show levels of inflammation in your body.

What does your current diet look like?

Digestive issues can be brutal...especially when you can’t eat/gain any nutrients from food. I’ve lost 55 pounds since April.

Hope it’s not the big C. Keep us posted and good luck.

Will do. Digestive issues suck.

opiates probably damaged the nerves down there, and they aren't processing signals correctly.

why not get a colonoscopy instead of an MRI? Just say you have a family history of colon cancer. You never have to prove it to insurance.

I need the colonoscopy - I don't know why the MRI is necessary. All of the imaging is less than 3 years old.

 

[TonK]

Took a shit about 5 minutes after my last post. Still on the toilet.

After the initial shit, I get an immense pressure (almost gay) in my rectum.

There's black and red stool - so I'm bleeding from something.

I puked.

Now I'm sitting here in 8/10 pain sweating my ass off literally.

I'm scared out of my mind and don't know who to talk to. I always thought I was invincible.

 

[TonK]

I honestly don't know why I'm here and not on the phone with a friend. But the way I feel I can only describe as dying. I legit feel like I can die in my sleep.

Everyone in my immediate family is aware what's going on. Do I owe anyone else an explanation?

I'm gonna be 41 this month. I feel 80.

I wouldn't wish this shit on anyone.

Really. Fuck. This.

 

[Mr Bakaboy]

As long as the stool is black and red that's better then gray. You kinda scared me with the Metal Slug comment.

All blood in stool is bad, but as far as I remember black stool is much preferred over gray. Gray is seriously fucked territory. Been a bit since I had to worry about it.

I looked up outer lining of intestine inflamed and Ulcerative colitis comes up right away. The symptoms you mention seem to be similar. Southtownkid might be on to something. Hope you feel better.

 

[LoneSage]

Tonk you've got our support, you'll beat this whatever it is. You are invincible bro.

 

[NeoSneth]

With regards to insurance and hospitals, you can shop that around. Make the hospitals work to book something with insurance. MRI or colonoscopy. People should really be doing this with any major surgery. This is partially how hospitals are overcharging because we are not forcing competition on prices. People get sick, and they just want to get better.

Maybe your doctor needs to use the C word.

 

[Fygee]

I've battled digestive issues myself. Seems like late 30's/early 40's is the magic time for them to occur for folks.

Sounds like Ulcerative Colitis to me. My sister just recovered from it, mostly stress induced.

You absolutely need to have a colonoscopy done.

Hope you're able to get a diagnosis and have a speedy recovery.

 

[neo_mao]

I haven’t read through all these posts so apologies if missed something already said.

Your doctor might be ordering the MRI because you are in a lot of pain and it is less invasive than a colonoscopy or endoscopy...but you really need to have those done soon.

However, having said that in April I had a massive rupture in my intestine and I also thought I was going to die - never felt such sharp pain in my life. I went to the hospital in an ambulance and I believe they confirmed the rupture using an MRI...they didn’t want to risk anything with a more invasive procedure.

The morning it happened I was puking a ton. Not suggesting you have a rupture, but you may want to mention it to the doctor just to rule it out if nothing else. Even a small perforation in the intestine can be very painful.

Also, have you been experiencing any fevers?

 

[theMot]

I haven’t read through all these posts so apologies if missed something already said.

Your doctor might be ordering the MRI because you are in a lot of pain and it is less invasive than a colonoscopy or endoscopy...but you really need to have those done soon.

However, having said that in April I had a massive rupture in my intestine and I also thought I was going to die - never felt such sharp pain in my life. I went to the hospital in an ambulance and I believe they confirmed the rupture using an MRI...they didn’t want to risk anything with a more invasive procedure.

The morning it happened I was puking a ton. Not suggesting you have a rupture, but you may want to mention it to the doctor just to rule it out if nothing else. Even a small perforation in the intestine can be very painful.

Also, have you been experiencing any fevers?

How many McMuffins did you punish to rupture your intestine?

 

[neo_mao]

Actually it ruptured under the weight of your fat ass mama bouncing on my poor belly

 

[TonK]

I haven’t read through all these posts so apologies if missed something already said.

Your doctor might be ordering the MRI because you are in a lot of pain and it is less invasive than a colonoscopy or endoscopy...but you really need to have those done soon.

However, having said that in April I had a massive rupture in my intestine and I also thought I was going to die - never felt such sharp pain in my life. I went to the hospital in an ambulance and I believe they confirmed the rupture using an MRI...they didn’t want to risk anything with a more invasive procedure.

The morning it happened I was puking a ton. Not suggesting you have a rupture, but you may want to mention it to the doctor just to rule it out if nothing else. Even a small perforation in the intestine can be very painful.

Also, have you been experiencing any fevers?

No fevers. It makes sense about the MRI now.

I ended up passing out on the bathroom floor.

I can't take pain medication, so I'm on medical marijuana - and that's starting to wear off.

Hopefully the Linzess takes.

I'll keep you guys posted - they have until Wednesday to rule.