Please let me know if my story is familiar....
#20080 - 09/09/03 01:22 PM
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I posted this in the eating board... wrong place I think.
I am a 30-year old man who has always been battling his weight. I may also be a little bit of a hypochondriac which is a constant bother as well.
I also have never been to excited about change, and frankly it stresses me out. About three years ago, I was working in a high stress job and about 3 months short of getting married and I noticed a change in my bowel habits. I convinced myself I had colon cancer (at 27) and the doctor said I was ridiculous-- not in so many words.
Now, fastforwarding to 2003, I am 30, recently purchased a new house with my wife, and have a baby on the way in February. I also have a constant worry about future finances and oh, about everything in particular. The baby being the latest and most wonderful thing of course. However, when change comes, the stress has always seemed to manifest itself physically with me.
Long story not as long, about a week ago, I returned from vacation and on Tuesday morning I had a terrible stomach ache and had a bowel movement, it was normal.. and followed my medium (which is very big) dunkin donuts iced coffee. After that, I had what seemed like diarrhea until lunch time. The only difference was, it was very mucousy on the toilet paper. I know this is graphic, but possibly not uncommon.
Instead of taking it in stride, I freaked, and I have had this before. Since then, it's been mostly mucousy and my stress levels-- high as they are go up, probably exascerbating the problem.
I have been eating a lot of junk lately, especially since my vacation, but now I guess I am really aware of things.
In fact yesterday, things seemed better, no mucous, today, again, I stupidly got my iced coffee again. Same result, I saw the mucous and freaked, and then spent most of the morning in the bathroom. I do have some degree of achiness in my lower left abdomen.
My brother has crohn's disease, my sister Barratt's Esophagus. It appears that strong digestive tracts do not run in my family. I had a clean physical in November.
Is my story uncommon?
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Hi, there!
No, your story is NOT uncommmon! (I've been away from the boards while I've been moving - I apologize if I've missed other posts - don't know if you're a "newbie" or if you've been posting for a while - only have time to "skim" right now). However, if you've spent some time reading older posts and Heather's diet info, you'll know that, yes, the coffee is a major trigger. Darn! I had to give up Panera's Icee Mocha - and I really miss it. The treat from Dunkin Donuts is probably not a "treat" to your colon - it's more like a nasty "trick" - just too high in fat.
As for the stress, boy, you've really hit the jackpot! Marriage, homeowner and father-to-be in a relatively short period of time. These are major life stressors and might give anyone a case of "nerves". Your active colon, however, just sees it as larger-than-life in a manner of speaking. Stress reduction like exercise, prayer, counseling, etc, can be a major help in addition to the changes you need to make to your diet. If you haven't read the info on "breaking the cycle", do so! It has helped my sister and I stabilize after years of misery.
Praying that God will bless you through this board - and that He will watch carefully over your wife and child during the remainder of the pregnancy!
Blessings in Christ,
Kaybee C
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