question-icon

Can Constant Cramps,bloating,and Diarrhea Be Symptoms Of Abdominal Or Intestinal Lymphoma?

default
Posted on Sat, 28 Dec 2013
Question: Should I be worried about abdominal/intestinal lymphoma? In October I experienced sudden onset of diarrhea/loose stools. CONVINCED that I had colon cancer (I'm a 26 year old healthy female, with no family history of ANY type of cancer), I was very depressed and had no appetite. I lost about 14lbs in 7 weeks - from a combination of not eating and diarrhea. When the diarrhea first started, it was accompanied by nausea and burping - which subsided after about a week and a half, but the diarrhea/loose stools lingered. Went to see my primary doc who did stool culture, O&P, H. Pylori, abdominal xray, CBC, and metabolic panel. All normal. Referred me to GI doc. He did colonoscopy and that was normal. Primary doc put me on amitriptyline 10mg to see if it would work. Within a week of starting the medication, my appetite was back, and my stool was normal - actually on the constipated side - which is normal for me. Also gained back 4lbs in a month. I'm wondering if I need to be concerned about some type of tumor/lymphoma in my abdomen. The symptoms seemed to come out of no where. My doctor told me this week to cut the pills in half (making it 5mg of amitriptyline) because I was on the constipated side. Well I've been doing that for 5 days now, and I'm experiencing cramps, bloating, and diarrhea again. My question is - If I had an abdominal lymphoma/tumor, would I have more symptoms/constant pain? Would my blood work be off? Is the amitriptyline masking something more serious? Doc said that since the 10mg amitriptyline worked, it's IBS. I'm wondering if I should be worried???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Amit Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Please see the details Detailed Answer: Hello! Thanks for putting your query in XXXXXXX I am a Gastroenterologist (DM). Weight gain , reappearance of appetite, improvement in symptoms, normal colonoscopy suggest that you don't have any tumour or lymphoma as these condition would have progressed( that is symptoms would have worsened) even with amitryptiline. Blood examination (routine tests) may be normal in cancer or lymphoma. There are some tumour markers which may support the diagnosis. But I don't think they are required to be done. So I don't think there is anything to worry as of now I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Amit Jain

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 1524 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can Constant Cramps,bloating,and Diarrhea Be Symptoms Of Abdominal Or Intestinal Lymphoma?

Brief Answer: Please see the details Detailed Answer: Hello! Thanks for putting your query in XXXXXXX I am a Gastroenterologist (DM). Weight gain , reappearance of appetite, improvement in symptoms, normal colonoscopy suggest that you don't have any tumour or lymphoma as these condition would have progressed( that is symptoms would have worsened) even with amitryptiline. Blood examination (routine tests) may be normal in cancer or lymphoma. There are some tumour markers which may support the diagnosis. But I don't think they are required to be done. So I don't think there is anything to worry as of now I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.