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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/13/2018 8:21 PM (GMT -5)
Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with Crohn's 5 years ago by colonoscopy (the only one I've had so far). I've been managing relatively well on just Mesalamine.

The last several months, my stools have been overall more formed, but I've noticed they've been flat. Besides color changes, occasional irritation and pressure feeling, I've felt overall pretty good and not had any other noticeable red flag symptoms.

I recently saw my GI and told him my symptoms. He mentioned multiple things including cancer and now has me down for my second colonoscopy. I kind of feel blindsided as I was feeling well and then he drops the c-word on me. I'm super anxious now.

Does anyone else have similar experiences or advice? Anything to ease my mind is appreciated.
Posted 3/13/2018 8:39 PM (GMT -5)
Do you have blood in your stool?

Did he perform Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)?
Posted 3/13/2018 8:53 PM (GMT -5)
No noticeable blood and he said he would do a rectal exam anyway with the scope when I asked about one
Posted 3/13/2018 9:10 PM (GMT -5)
A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a simple procedure doctors use to examine the lower rectum and other internal organs. To perform a DRE, your doctor will gently insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your anus.
It takes less than 2 minutes. It may be used to obtain feces for a fecal occult blood test (used to screen for gastrointestinal bleeding or colon cancer).

It is not as accurate as colonoscopy. But the DRE testing is quick and virtually costs nothing, and may help alleviate your anxiety.

Post Edited (EruditePaul) : 3/13/2018 8:14:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/13/2018 9:29 PM (GMT -5)
Wow, not sure what to think about your dr throwing out cancer as casually as he did. Of course you are upset. With that being said, if he has been your gi for the past 5 years & you haven't been scoped but once, I suggest getting a new dr.. In the past here we have discussed what we call flat or ribbon stool & none of us had cancer. I can tell you the I do know someone that had colon cancer & she bled daily. She had history of hemorrhoids & assumed that was the issue. This went on for a year before she saw the dr & was diagnosed.

Take care.
Posted 3/13/2018 10:43 PM (GMT -5)
No he’s a newer GI doc. I’ve had 3 due to moves, and the first 2 never seemed concerned about getting a scope done before the 8-10 year mark unless things went really wrong symptom wise. Another reason why this new guy has me worried
Posted 3/14/2018 12:13 AM (GMT -5)
go to the site search area and look for 'ribbon poop' or 'playdoh poop' or ghost poop. there were quite a number of topics of that sort way back when. personally i would not worry. many of us have had that. thats why we came up with the name playdoh poop. cause it looks like it came out of a playdoh press. it may be just a stricture in your rectum or anus that is pressing it into thats shape, hence why EPaul suggested a rectal exam. sometime your spinter just dont wanna play nice an ope up good.
Posted 3/14/2018 6:49 PM (GMT -5)
That makes me feel more relieved. Every once in awhile over the past two months, some of the stools are more formed/round but overall a bit flatter.
Posted 3/15/2018 10:16 AM (GMT -5)
I second Randy, it's probably a rectal stricture. Depending on severity and location there are multiple ways to deal with them. I had one removed about 3 years ago and since then have had multiple dilations.
Not the most pleasant thing, but kept me going for awhile.
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