Thank you sooo much good friends!!!! Wish I could click on the "thanks" button, but you know my ancient webtv....blah!! You came up with many good suggestions that I'm going to check out.

Cherie -- I was supposed to have a colonoscopy a few years ago, but I chickened out. Had one back in the '80's and vowed I'd never have another. Anyway, that's when the fissure was discovered, hence the bleeding. Yes, I know I should have another c. with my age, symptoms, etc. The main reason is my mother died from rectal cancer when she was only 56, but I've decided at this point I'm trusting the Lord to not let that be added on to the many "things" I have all ready. With so much daily pain, there's no way I could endure that.

Okay, "cog fog", I can't remember who said what so I'll just wing it! My gall bladder is a gonner, around six or so years ago so can rule that out. I'm already taking Prilosec (omeprazole) daily for acid reflux. This is a different kind of pain -- lower. The reference to the nerve endings in the stomach 'flaring' is interesting. Most of my lesions are on the spine so that's why my legs are so affected. Even though I'm spms, it seems with this lousy hot, humid, rainy weather, there is somewhat of a flare. The legs are worse, fatigue, depression, etc., so the nerve ending explanation sounds like a good possibility. I'll mention it to my neuro. It does go along with the central pain syndrome that effects the nerves in my body and causes extreme 24/7 pain.

Guess it will be more 'tiny' meals for me too!! You'd think I'd lose a pound or two.......no exercise.

I didn't mean to make you cry, Sally. Seems like I do enough of that lately for both of us.....frustration. Those hugs really made me feel better!!! (((((Sally))))) back to ya.

Many hugs and thank you's to everyone who answered and also to those who read it, but didn't have the energy to post.

You really need to get over your fears and have a colonoscopy. It may save your life as well as tell your doctor what is wrong so he can help you.

gmi

Yes, I know, gmi. Just the thoughts of the whole process exhaust me -- not to mention the pain. Seems I remember something new about a year ago, having a MRI can take the place of a c. unless they find something at which time they go the regular route. I am planning on calling my neuro tomorrow (Wednesday) with these new symptoms. Of course I'll probably just talk with a nurse. Kind of have to chuckle when various MS articles tell us we have to have a good working relationship with our neuro....well, it's kind of hard to have much of anything when we only see them for about 10 minutes twice a year and even phone calls are intercepted. Funny though, the exhorbitant insurance payout goes to him.

If I get no information from him, I'll try my pcp. Thanks for caring!!

Judy,

They will knock you out when they do the colonoscopy, so there will be no pain.

Don't let the fear of pain stop you from getting one.

gmi

They won't knock you out, unless you're in a hospital....otherwise, they use Versed, and it doesn't work on everyone. My DH had versed when he had a colonoscopy and he said that the pain went up into his chest. Found out later, that he had had a heart attack..

This was at the VA and they didn't catch it. He died, in another hospital, 2 months later, from another heart attack. He was in the hospital for something else, but they could not save him.

MY Father died from colon cancer, but I will never have a colonoscopy, because of what happened to my Husband.....and I will never have versed again, because of his and my bad reactions to it. (my BP shot way up, at the dentist's office), obviously his did too, but instead of stopping, they went on and he had the heart attack.

Judy, an MRI sounds good..

I have had two colonoscopies and was knocked out for both. Are you saying that your husband was not out during the procedure. Both of mine were in gastro doctors place of business.

Scary!

gmi

Versed knocks most people out, but DH and I both had adverse reactions to it....so, no, neither one of us was out and we felt the pain. His was fatal, I survived.....He had HBP io begin with....mine was always normal and that made the difference, I guess..

I'm so glad I read this thread...I've also been experiencing a "fullness"-type feeling the last month or so in my stomach...I don't feel like eating because of it, but I eat anyway.
Today I have intestinal "issues"...think I've lost 5 lbs in the last hour...LOL...it's not IBS, tho...but it is like waves...
I didn't know the digestive system could be affected by MS...
I see the neuro in early Sept...I guess this should go on the discussion list, huh?
I'm grateful for all the info here...