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Suggest Treatment For Frequent Cramps And Heart Burns
Question: I have been having discomfort in my colon since October. I get bloated and gassy when I eat most anything. My bowels are irregular and different than what is normal for me. I have cramping and heartburn often. I have had colon problems from time to time in the past but not that lasted so long and I could get under control by modifying my diet, my doctor put me on 20 mg. prednisone for 10 days to alleviate inflamation . It helped a little. My doctor would not recommend a colonoscopy at this time for fear of perforating. I do know I have a kink in my colon which I fear is part of my problem. I just hope I don't have a cancer or chromes disease.
Brief Answer:
Get additional investigations and treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and understanding about the problem.
To recapitulate: 69 /F - discomfort in colon since Oct- lasting so long for the first time - although there is history of similar problems in the past which could be tackled by modifying the diet - bloated and gassy on eating most anything - irregular bowels, cramping and heartburn - 20 mg Prednisone for 10 days helped a bit - colonoscopy avoided by your Doctor for fear of perforation and you know about the kink in the colon ( which you fear is part of your problem)- worried about Cancer or Crohn's -
Your history is classical about the intolerance / allergy to certain foods / beverages, for which your Doctor has given Prednosone for.
I would like to know a few more things to line-up the missing link:
-Were Colonoscopy or any other tests done in the past ? May I please know the results ?
-Have you charted the foods / beverages that instigate or enhance your present problems ?
-Any of the treatment say like for IBS / antibiotic and metronidazole / PPI or Ranitidine / tried now or in the past ?
May I please suggest you the following:
-First of all to take note of all the foods and beverages which instigate or enhance the problems and avoid them altogether.
-Symptomatic treatment:
Add on Ranitidine or PPI like Pantoprazole
Activated charcoal tablets
Probiotic
Anti-spasmodic with or without anti-anxiety medicines.
A 5-day course of an antibiotic and metronidazole
Few investigations:
-CT scan of the abdomen along with ''virtual colonoscopy'' by CT scan only. Only gas is used and no danger of perforation.
-Barium studies. (CT and barium can rule out Cancer to a large extent)
-Repeated stool tests to get an additional information
-Blood tests particularly for Sugar and Thyroid.
-Colonoscopy - whenever your Doctor feels safe
All these things done together under the guidance of your Doctor / Gastroenterologist preferably can help us to get a proper diagnosis, confirmation or ruling out any major illness and a line-up for a proper treatment to get a permanent relief.
Many a times the stress and anxiety add on the problems too much, has to be kept under control for better results.
I hope this answer helps you in a proper way for better diagnosis and best possible plan for a cure.
Please feel free to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Get additional investigations and treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and understanding about the problem.
To recapitulate: 69 /F - discomfort in colon since Oct- lasting so long for the first time - although there is history of similar problems in the past which could be tackled by modifying the diet - bloated and gassy on eating most anything - irregular bowels, cramping and heartburn - 20 mg Prednisone for 10 days helped a bit - colonoscopy avoided by your Doctor for fear of perforation and you know about the kink in the colon ( which you fear is part of your problem)- worried about Cancer or Crohn's -
Your history is classical about the intolerance / allergy to certain foods / beverages, for which your Doctor has given Prednosone for.
I would like to know a few more things to line-up the missing link:
-Were Colonoscopy or any other tests done in the past ? May I please know the results ?
-Have you charted the foods / beverages that instigate or enhance your present problems ?
-Any of the treatment say like for IBS / antibiotic and metronidazole / PPI or Ranitidine / tried now or in the past ?
May I please suggest you the following:
-First of all to take note of all the foods and beverages which instigate or enhance the problems and avoid them altogether.
-Symptomatic treatment:
Add on Ranitidine or PPI like Pantoprazole
Activated charcoal tablets
Probiotic
Anti-spasmodic with or without anti-anxiety medicines.
A 5-day course of an antibiotic and metronidazole
Few investigations:
-CT scan of the abdomen along with ''virtual colonoscopy'' by CT scan only. Only gas is used and no danger of perforation.
-Barium studies. (CT and barium can rule out Cancer to a large extent)
-Repeated stool tests to get an additional information
-Blood tests particularly for Sugar and Thyroid.
-Colonoscopy - whenever your Doctor feels safe
All these things done together under the guidance of your Doctor / Gastroenterologist preferably can help us to get a proper diagnosis, confirmation or ruling out any major illness and a line-up for a proper treatment to get a permanent relief.
Many a times the stress and anxiety add on the problems too much, has to be kept under control for better results.
I hope this answer helps you in a proper way for better diagnosis and best possible plan for a cure.
Please feel free to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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