Mat,
Good you are having a colonoscopy soon. It can be nothing serious but the rectal bleeding may or may not be hemorrhoids. That's what I assumed when I went to the ER for impacting/constipation. Afterwards it was decided that since I was cleaned out, I should have my first colonoscopy. Unfortunately I did not heed the warnings about having colonoscopies after age 50. Something that might have been easy to take care of early became serious.

You have a lot going on; hopefully this new hospital will provide you with some answers.


Gerry

Gerry I'm grateful to you for warning me not to be too laid back. I've been pushing for a colonoscopy for about five months but it's taken this long to get there. I have this procedure on 30th of this month. I know something isn't right at all because I'm hugely bloated and uncomfortable. Fingers crossed its something easy to address or IBS. The GP felt it was unlikely for someone over 50 to develop IBS but I've had lots of stress recently. My main fear us Multiple Myeloma because it is incurable. However it would explain the SFN and my wonky markers. Mat

Mat,
You had mentioned having a Colonoscopy done in ten days (your post was dated June 16th). I am hoping all went well. When you get a chance would appreciate an update.


Gerry

Thanks Gerry - yes it is tomorrow so will update accordingly!
Mat

Hi Gerry,

Colonoscopy went fine (apart from being incredibly painful?!) and I got the all clear. I do have two rather swollen, bleeding haemorrhoids.

I learnt from oral medicine doctor this morning that I have gone from being autoantibody negative to having a clear positive ANA of 1/320. Also my IgG avid IgA are both high and I am to have a lip biopsy and ultrasound of carotid and salivary glands ASAP to rule out or in Sjogrens Syndrome. Although I don't have the dry mouth and only mildly dry eyes she seemed to know that it is still possible to have Sjogrens. She feels my numb, tingling mouth is part of a progressive small fibre neuropathy and says the neurologist was wrong to dismiss it as mild and say it was caused by previously active RA. She says the positive results suggest Lupus, Vasculitis, Sjogrens or Mixed Connective Tissue disease are all more likely with these blood results. My CRP has crept up to 19 and my PV is 1.98 which is also high. So I feel at last I may be getting somewhere and terribly relieved not to have colon cancer or IBD. Not sure what has caused the chronic constipation but maybe it's caused by autonomic neuropathy after all?

Thanks for the update Mat. It is unusual for the colonoscopy to be painful; unless the hemorrhoids were inflamed by the procedure.

Are you on any medication that might be causing your chronic constipation; especially pain meds.? The constipation is most likely the reason for your bleeding hemorrhoids.

I am on Opioid Pain Meds and take Miralax regularly. Otherwise, I will have terrible constipation. In fact, it was the constipation, because of my meds, that caused the impacting and the reason I went to the ER and finally had my first colonoscopy. Had I not waited so long to have a colonoscopy, I might have avoided the cancerous tumor that was found.

Hopefully you will be soon getting some answers on your other issues.


Gerry

It must have been terrible thinking that the cancerous tumour might have been avoided through early detection.

The nurses did warn me that it would probably be painful. My hunch is that they don't give enough pain killers or sedative because they want a quick turn around.

I'm not on any medication that can cause constipation, my diet is high fibre and very wholesome, and yes I'm certain that the haemorrhoids are the result of the constipation. I do have a lot of very stressful stuff going on presently but I've never suffered from constipation, due to stress, previously. I've tried eating gluten for a few months and getting Coeliacs done privately but I was negative. I've tried eliminating dairy foods - no difference. It's a bit exasperating and my sense is that it ties in with my autoimmunity.

I think I'm getting much closer to answers now with the positive ANA and raised immunoglobulins. Take care, Mat

That is why I encouraged you (as well as others) to have the scheduled colonoscopy. I

You sure seem to be doing all the right things to avoid constipation.


Gerry