Last January, started having distressing gastrointestinal symptoms, most unusual for me. Won't gross anyone out by describing. Figured something I ate, but after 2 weeks kept getting worse. Primary doctor ran a shitload (literally) of tests, all normal. And symptoms went away. I figured I'd gotten over whatever it was on my own...until 3 weeks later when they came back, worse than before. I couldn't even go to demonstrations, as I had to be near a bathroom at all times. Major bummer. Went to specialist who ran another shitload of tests, based on results still more tests, then said she wanted to do some in-patient testing and biopsies. She said most likely diagnosis was a gastrointestinal cancer. I'm at low risk, but if you have the body part there is always some risk and statistics teaches that if the probability of an event is greater than zero it will happen somewhere in the universe. Testing took time to schedule, especially when insurance company said not covered - had to go through three people before they acknowledged it was. Then, because miseries never come singly, two days before the test I sprained my ankle so badly I ended up in ER, got X-rays (negative) and put on crutches. After two days on crutches, back went out. Screw crutches, I'l just hop. Testing was wretched, then waited 3 weeks for biopsy results. Verdict: no cancer, no Crohn's disease, no ulcerative colitis. Nothing, in fact. Except I have arthritis in my hands and years ago discovered just plain aspirin controlled it better than any prescription medication. For years I've taken two aspirin first thing every morning. All those years of aspirin finally caught up, causing GI bleeding that was the source of all symptoms. I have appointment next week to get medication changed, and anything else I take will surely cost more, but hey, sure beats chemo. Meanwhile due to sprained ankle had to switch from shower to tub; foot too unstable to stand on slippery surface. No problem except when I washed my hair, had to dunk head under water and swish it around to rinse. Last week noticed humming in ear. As the last thing I wanted to do was go to ANOTHER doctor, I tried to ignore it but it got so loud, plus pressure, plus dizziness, oh fuck, I now have an ear infection. Doctor said actually no infection, just swished water into the ear and it was trapped. Recommended OTC decongestant to drain. It worked. So no cancer, no ear infection. But I most definitely do have a sprained ankle. BTW, if anyone is thinking the world would be better with one less lefty lesbian, my will, after providing for care of my cats, divides most of my estate between American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. San Francisco Ballet and my local library also get a piece. So be careful what you wish for!
Glad to hear the outcome was a positive one. Definitely makes me think twice before taking much aspirin. But, I DO have 9 lives......
That's no fun at all, but I'm glad it turned out to be something relatively minor. I had some unpleasant GI issues myself a couple weeks ago--constant pain, coupled with 20s of sharp pain every 5 minutes or so, and no appetite. Felt like I was having contractions. After about 20 hours of this, with everyone telling me it was probably kidney stones, or gall stones, or gall bladder cancer, I finally went to urgent care, got an exam, x-ray, ultrasound--everything normal. About 3 days worth of heavy-duty laxatives later, I was finally able to eat again. Doc said it was basically an intestinal blockage, but had no explanation for how/why it occurred.
Stomach stuff is the worst. I feel your pain. As far as lefty lesbians, as long as it isn't just me left in the world and everyone else is a lefty lesbian I don't wish harm on any of them. If it was just me and lefty lesbians they'd just banish or kill me....rightly so. Although I can fix all kinds of stuff.
Sorry for the suffering @crandc I can relate. This past 10 months have been hell. For quite some time before that I have had reoccuring chest pains reminiscence of Angina pain. EKG's, Xrays, ultra sounds, CTs, blood tests, etc came back normal. My heart was fine. The pain continued. The same tests were redone. Same result. Last August the pains were at their worst. On top of it, I was having extreme pains in my abdomen, mostly on the left side. I tried to suck it up and took everything from asprin, to ibuprofen, to naproxin. Nothing worked. My wife finally talked me into going back to the dr. I have undergone an insane amount of tests, all the above ones again, then US, xrays, CTs, hida scan,blood work for my abdomen, and more. The Dr kept guessing it was one thing and then the other. Maybe its in the muscle (even though I told her it was a deep pain) no, my muscle was fine. Pancreatitis. No. Gallstones. No. Billiary issue. No. Diverticulosis. No. Bowel obstruction. Possible. For months my pain has persisted in both my chest and abdomen. The pains are seperate, both reoccuring. I experience them daily. I had an endoscopy. Found out the answer to my chest pain. A 6mm hiatal hernia and esohphagitis. I will likely get surgery early to mid summer. As for my abdomen I have to go in for a colonoscopy on the 28th. Xrays and CT have found that I have a more than moderate backup of stool into my distal ileum. My Dr has talked to me about the possibility of colon\intestinal cancer. Tests initially couldn't find my appendix. I was told I was born without one. Further tests proved I had one. I was found to have a smaller than usual appendix with an appendicolith. So, I was told it may also be chronic appendicitis. As I wait for the 28th I am taking 8 different perscription medicines. The ones for my hernia issues seem to be helping. The ones for my abdominal issues are not working, and in fact may be worsening my symptoms. I have been told to continue them by my dr until the 28. My PCP is also finally refering me to a GI doctor, because as she put it, my case is over her head.
Plain aspirin. Which spell check keeps trying to change to aspiring. Hope everyone feels better. Funny thing, I didn't have pain. Although got woozy from loss of fluids & minerals. Just couldn't stay stop, well, get the picture. Maybe if bodyman was the only one left in a world of lefty lesbians we could put him in a museum.
That sucks. I'm not usually a big fan of offering up unsolicited advice, but have you ever tried switching to a super-high-fat diet? Like 80%+ of your caloric intake from fat? Lipids often grease the skids, so to speak.
