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thecreen8ive
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 5
Posted 1/7/2007 1:21 AM (GMT -7)
Well I've been stressed out for the passed while and ended up with symptoms of IBS... it hasn't been for sure yet but that's what the concencus is...

A few concerns that I have is the BIG C... be it because of constipation, and there's both blood and mucous in my stool and the area around the rectum is in pain... cramps if you will... and I've been going nuts over it... I remember going to emergency and talking to the doctor in tears worrying about the possibilty of Cancer... he said it was unlikely due to age... and based on my anxiety... he was also leaning to IBS as well... he gave me a prescription for Buscopan... and a referral to a GI. I haven't lost much weight as I'm still a lil pudgy... but yeah the symptoms are what's worrying me...

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thecreen8ive
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 5
Posted 1/7/2007 1:22 AM (GMT -7)
Oh also... can IBS run in the family??? my mother has had numerous problems with owels and so on...
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thecreen8ive
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 5
Posted 1/7/2007 3:54 AM (GMT -7)
And has anyone had some awkward reaction to the drug dicetel???
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7Lil
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 3269
Posted 1/7/2007 3:34 PM (GMT -7)
Hi and welcome to HealingWell! :-)
You mention your doc does not think you could have the big C because of age... How old are you? Are you male or female?
Because you say you have constipation and bloody stools it seems you may have a hemorrhoid. Is the blood bright red? Usually that indicates a hemorrhoid or fissure. Both can be eased with creams, stool softeners and fiber. I'm not a doc, this is just my opinion.... You should definitely talk to the GI about all this. Make sure to create a list of your symptoms and any questions you may have. Take the list with you to the doc because it is all too easy to forget something when you are put on the spot.
Yes, gut trouble runs in the family. I don't know specifics (like if it skips generations, blah blah blah) but I do know that most everyone with IBS or IBD also have other members in their family with it too. I have a father and a grandfather (from mom's side) with IBS like symptoms and/or GERD and/or ulcers. I've seen on the Crohn's board a post about women who are worried to have children because they don't want their kids to go through what they do.
Sorry, I've never taken Dicetel. Hopefully someone will be along to answer you. Please note that sometimes the weekends are a bit slower here on the board. I'm pretty sure others will be along within the next couple days.
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thecreen8ive
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 5
Posted 1/8/2007 7:06 PM (GMT -7)
Male and 31 years of age are my stats... but within the condition... I find that I bleed more when my stool is hardened... and I've started taking metamucil and well it made a little bit of a difference

I also just thought about it... could ant-acids like tums cause some periods of constipation? The calcium part I read could cause some "Hypercalemia" I mention this in concern because I was using that to go after heartburn which is probably GERD,,, who knows... but yeah I'm just really scared here...
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7Lil
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Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 3269
Posted 1/8/2007 7:15 PM (GMT -7)
Hi thecreen8ive,
Yes, Tums can cause constipation as it has calcium in it. Calcium, as a side effect, is constipating. Many IBS-Ders take calcium daily to control their D. You might want to find a supplement with magnesium in it instead.
As for your age, you are pretty young and shouldn't be too worried about cancer. Sounds more like you have bleeding from constipation and/or a hemmorhoid.
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thecreen8ive
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 5
Posted 1/8/2007 8:47 PM (GMT -7)
7Lil... thank you so much.. I'm just sitting here with... I guess a hint of self relief and tears...

I guess what scares me the most is... the fact that I take care of both a wife and son who aren't in the greatest of health... my wife is on Dialysis and my son is a special needs child with a compromised immune system due to premature birth... and I live by the idea that if one of us falls we all fall...

I guess I'm just dealing with those scary "what if's" and reading into those things like webmd and stuff like that where you type in the symptoms and it gives you the worst outcome... but thank you for the warm words of support and reassurance :)
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Keriamon
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2005
Posts : 2976
Posted 1/9/2007 8:30 AM (GMT -7)
It's like I was telling someone else, our media skews our perceptions because it likes to report fear and doom and gloom the most. "Cancer" is one of those scary words that they like to repeat over and over again. "IBS" isn't a word they toss around because IBS won't kill you, even though your odds are getting IBS are very high (I think someone posted on here that it's a 1-in-4 or 1-in-6 chance) and your chances of getting colon cancer are actually quite low--even more so because of your relatively young age.

If you're interested in getting regular, there is the traditional route of fiber (which you're already on). You can also add in prune juice or dried prunes, or you can try aloe vera capsules. You can find them in the herbal products section. Start with two a day and adjust up or down as needed. Many people who aren't chronically impacted find that they help regulate, and they don't seem to have the gas side affect that a lot of fiber supplements have.

Have you checked around to see if there are any support groups for people who have to take care of chronically-ill family members? Your local library is a good place to start asking because many groups publish their meeting information at the library. Most local papers also contain a section on local group meetings and programs, and some hospitals offer free counseling/group programs as well. You can also check with the United Way to see if they know of any charity organizations that could help you look after your family and take some of the burden off of you so you can get out from under some of the stress that's messing up your guts.
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7Lil
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 3269
Posted 1/9/2007 10:50 AM (GMT -7)
Big hugs to you (((((thecreen8ive)))))
Keri is right about the stats on getting IBS vs colon cancer. I believe the number is up to 30% of the population has some form of IBS. However, if you are worried, it is still a great idea to go see that GI specialist. Maybe s/he can help guide you in the right direction for getting your BMs normal. As long as things keep moving along smoothly the blood should stop. And if you have a hemmorhoid, that can be fixed as well.
Hang in there....
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Keriamon
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2005
Posts : 2976
Posted 1/9/2007 10:53 AM (GMT -7)
Lil, I don't think "hang in there" is a good sentiment for someone with constipation, LOL. Maybe "flow freely".
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7Lil
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 3269
Posted 1/9/2007 11:01 AM (GMT -7)
LOL Keri, I guess you're right... But I meant about all the family and health struggles. Sometimes it's hard to keep a strong front when you're falling apart inside.
How about... TAKE CARE :-)
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Canyonbabe711
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2006
Posts : 1451
Posted 1/15/2007 2:23 PM (GMT -7)
Since emotions play a big part in our digestive system I would try to have whatever tests you need to calm you fears. It is not very probable that you would have cancer BUT even if you did you would have caught it early and be able to be cured probably pretty easily as it is curable in early stages. With your family situation and your health you are probably really stressing out badly so try to work on that aspect, get a clean bill of health and that would relieve yourself of one worry. Then you can deal with more easily. The odds are way in your favor that you are just fine except for a functional problem. It might also help if you had some antianxiety medication. Since you don't live in the US I don't know if any of this is feasible but maybe worth a try. I hope you find a solution soon. It is very hard to have such responsibilities without severe stress.
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