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What Causes Abdominal Pain And Irregular Bowel Movements?
Hi I am concerned about my sister who received yervoy. She has been very sick since given 3 of 4 recommended doses for melanoma. Now has drug induced colitis. She has been treated with steroids. Frequent hydration. Still abdominal pain irregular bowel movements. Loss of weight appetite poor and fatigued. LFTs have returned to normal. Her thyroid tsh has dropped from 500-100 being followed up now. Next week. What should I do to help her?
Mon, 15 Oct 2018
Hi,
Alternating constipation and diarrhea could be either due to protozoal infection like giardiasis or could be a spectrum of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-- diagnosis is made by exclusion of other causes and then only a possibility of IBS considered).
In your case, you require a thorough revaluation of your symptoms by Gastroenterologist, thorough history, Clinical examination and investigative workup will help. I would suggest the following:
1. Stool microscopy for ova and cyst.
2. Digital rectal examination followed by proctoscopy depending on the above further evaluation by colonoscopy can be deemed to be useful to rule out inflammatory bowel disease.
Complete abstinence from smoking and alcohol will go a long way in relieving your symptoms.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein,
General Surgeon
Alternating constipation and diarrhea could be either due to protozoal infection like giardiasis or could be a spectrum of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-- diagnosis is made by exclusion of other causes and then only a possibility of IBS considered).
In your case, you require a thorough revaluation of your symptoms by Gastroenterologist, thorough history, Clinical examination and investigative workup will help. I would suggest the following:
1. Stool microscopy for ova and cyst.
2. Digital rectal examination followed by proctoscopy depending on the above further evaluation by colonoscopy can be deemed to be useful to rule out inflammatory bowel disease.
Complete abstinence from smoking and alcohol will go a long way in relieving your symptoms.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein,
General Surgeon
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