Hi all, 38yr old male, obese, here with a simple question. About 6 weeks ago, i started having some mild pain in my groin, mainly on the left side, but sometimes throughout the groin. More like tenderness or soreness, only really noticing it when I moved the wrong way, drove over bumps, or sat for too long.
I had diarrahea once a week, the rest of the time ranging from loose to normal. No blood, mucus, fever, or any other symptoms. After a couple weeks I weeks I went and saw my primary doc, who thought it was diverticulitis and gave me antibiotics for a week. Nothing changed, so I went and saw a digestive specialist. He felt around, could not cause any pain. and seemed to think it was probably not a digestive issue since the pain is more in the groin than the bowel area. Regardless Im scheduled for a colonoscopy, just to be sure. Some of the time I dont even notice it, and i dont know if my bowel movements are related or just bad eating habits, lack of fiber, etc. And maybe the pain is from a muscle strain instead.
So, given all that I would prefer to avoid a colonoscopy altogether and wait and see if anything changes. Does that sound acceptable or risky? Should I pursue a less invasive test like a CT or stool or blood sample? Ive also emailed the disease specialist, now that Ive had time to think about it, to see what he thinks about waiitng. Thanks for any advice.
Hi John, it wouldn't hurt to get a colon as copy, but a CT scan for a possible hernia. Good luck and hope for something small.
It would do no harm to have a colonoscopy, stool sample, blood test and CT. Changes in bowel habit should always be investigated.
If the pain is lower bowel area then they can check it quikly with an anuscope. No need for the full meal deal. This is cheaper and quick, but not very fun as I have had this many times. I would think that it is a bowel issue if you have watery stools, however it can also be Prostatitis or a pelvic floor muscle spasm. So at least they are looking and trying to figure it out. Some doctors will pawn it off on something simple give you a pill and push you out the door. The colonoscopy would be able to find growths in the bowel and also check for Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. I was your age when I had pain and watery stools that started to show blood. Then I just got worse. Each day the bleeding got worse and I kept telling myself it was a hemorroid. Until one day I was so weak I could hardly walk, so I went to the hospital. The colonoscopy revealed I had Crohn's disease and it will not just go away without medication. I am now 47 and doing ok considering what I have, so better safe than sorry. You can die from Inflamitory Bowel Disease if you don't get treatment. Get the test and if all is ok then see a Urologist as this would be the next place to look. I hope you get better soon.
Hi john94579
Usually pain in the groin is related to your hips. You may have a hip problem due to your weight or may have hip joint inflammation....you need to have a scan and x-ray......best wishes.....
Im not even sure the pain is in the bowel area. Its seems to be mainly in groin just the left of my genitals. And it seems to be very mild now. Some days I dont notice it unless im moving around a lot. I wonder if its more a muscle strain. My bowel movements are even bad. Normal the last 2 days, and before that soft rather than watery. Mainly I just want to avoid an invasive procedure if theres no evidence of anything serious.
Hi john94579
I suggest you leave the colonoscopy for now because I do think you have a problem with your hip joint. Hip joint problems always present in the groin. Go to you GP and request a hip scan or xray. I have the same problem I am seeing my GP this morning. I know its not my bowels they are fine. I was in a lot of pain in my groin yesterday and it seems to be milder today. Like you sometimes there niggling other times quite bad and keeps me awake at night....best wishes....