This could be a good one for Andrea, but im a little concerned.

My Dad has not been very well over the last few years, seemingly having one problem after another. It worried me immensely.

Last night though i called and asked how he was and he said he wasnt too good.

Now, a bit of background history (and please forgive my spelling). About 15 years ago he had Colitus, and he was in hospital for a long time and had part of his colon removed. Since then he has had frequent annual check up and has colonic irrigation yearly. Everything has been good.

But he told me that a few weeks ago he started the getting sever runs which wouldnt go. He was permanently on the toilet. He went to the doctor who thought he might have an infection, so he was given antibiotics. They didnt work.

He went back to the doctor, and he advised my dad to get intouch with the specialist who he sees yearly for the colon problem.

Now im worried. For a doctor to advise him to see a specialist it sounds bad dosnt it. Is it possible for him to get colitus again ?

I dont know, he is only in his 50's but he seems to be aging really quickly of late.

For a doctor to advise him to see a specialist it sounds bad dosnt it. Is it possible for him to get colitus again ?
I dunno about colitus Bonnie, but surely seeing a specialist is the best thing if the doctor's efforts haven't worked? A GP can't be an expert in every field after all, so I know it must be worrying, but I've gotta think he's doing the right thing by referring him on to an expert - after all, that's what they're for - to fix problems in their field, not just for the really bad stuff.

Also, the specialist will already be up to speed with your dad's medical history and sounds like the ideal person to help now. IMO the GP's made by far the best decision. Just cos he's been referred doesn't mean it's serious, just that the GP wants him to get the very best advice.

I know you're right Floops - its just scaring me a bit. Dad sounded so worried last night, and normally he doesnt tell me if he is poorly (mum tells me on the sly). So for him to tell me, and to sound quite worried about it ... it just made me worry (which is exactly why he never wants me to know !!!).

I have read up about Colitis and a small percentage do then go on to have cancer, especially if it was a bad in the first instance and surgery was involved. The internet can be a terrible thing as you end up learning stuff you dont particularly want to know.

Hello Bonsai,

This sounds like your father has been on holiday abroad and has picked up a foreign food or water virus, especially since he had been alright prior to the recent runs. Having said that you don't necessarily need to go abroad to pick up these things, you can get them here in Britain, especially where you have eaten out and the food has not been prepared in the most hygenic of circumstances, or maybe the food wasn't fresh and could have been contaminated. I was ill for 21 days after a wedding feast, consistent runs and vomiting for days, I thought I was dying. When I had recovered I had lost a stone and a half in weight and still felt bloody awful.

I hope you encourage your Dad to get checked out properly and not to miss any of his specialist appointments. I'm sure he will be alright, he is only 50 years young. Good luck to him and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Maureen
Northern angel.:hug: Give him a hug and tell him not to worry. All will be well.

Oh I know, I've looked up a few medical conditions on the internet and I'm convinced I've got them all :wacko: .

Of course your dad's worried, he's probably worrying about the same things as you, but that doesn't mean it's anything serious, just that he's worried.

After you're had a serious medical problem it does make you far more aware of your own mortality and it's very easy to convince yourself of the worst. But honestly, worrying does nobody any good, so try and reassure him.

Bonnie, my dad gets colitis also, and it can recur time and time again. Every year or so he goes through a bout of it. It could easily be that. :hug: It's good he is going to get it seen too though.

Bonnie, my dad gets colitis also, and it can recur time and time again. Every year or so he goes through a bout of it. It could easily be that. :hug: It's good he is going to get it seen too though.
He isnt alone then .... i hope your dad is ok.

I think the reason is a worry is the fact that dad has been fine now for 15 years. He spent about 5 months in hospital originally and he went from 16 stone to 11 stone. He was on soooo many tablets he used to rattle.

Ill never forget when he came off the tablets. He was told he might get severe cramps ..... but i can remember lying in bed hearing my dad moaning downstairs in the lounge. I went down once to find him writhing on the lounge floor with tears running down his face.

Since then he has had yearly checks up and everything has been hunky dory. If this is a flare up, its the first one he has had in all those years.

Fingers crossed that its all A.OK.

Bonnie, it could be a flare up of colitis, it could be an infection that the antibiotics didn't cover, but as Floopy has said, referring him onto the Specialist is just to cover all things.

Hope everything is sorted out:hug:

And I agree with the internet searching though, you can sometimes find out too much and just worry yourself un-necessarily.
Being a nurse is bad as well, last week I thought I had menigitis last week:laugh: