What the effing hell is wrong with my guts?

[prioneyes]

Been having constipation problems for a few months, assumed they were hormonal because I was just getting back to periods after breastfeeding. When there was dark blood, mucus and Malteser poos I saw my GP who referred me for sigmoidoscopy which I am awaiting.

2 days after seeing her I had transient colitis - mucus, straining etc. Since then poos have been soft with a bit of urgency but only once daily. And in the last 24 hours proper sale voluminous diarrhoea suggestive of a small intestinal thing, pretty much every time I eat. I feel fine - a touch of nausea occasionally but no pain or anything. No weight loss.

We need to rule out cancer due to family history. Otherwise I'm thinking maybe some form of coeliac or something ... or is that too out there?

[belledechocchipcookie]

Gall stones??

[prioneyes]

Hmm, that hadn't crossed my mind. Isn't that meant to be painful? I'm not nature's most sensitive creation but I'm generally pain-free.

[belledechocchipcookie]

It depends upon the size of the stones. Generally, it causes pale, fluffy poop, usually after eating something fatty. It's best to see your GP though, make sure he/she doesn't fob you off.

[prioneyes]

Fluffy sounds familiar. Had a cream scone yesterday which may have led to the toilet nightmare. I think I'll call her. Thank you.

[prioneyes]

Sorry to bump this again. I've had upper left sided pain tonight which I'd previously attributed to trapped wind. Pancreas?

[belledechocchipcookie]

Could still be a gall stone. My anatomy's a bit rusty but there's a junction between the gall bladder and the stomach that's towards the left. The pancreas is slightly to the left of this. Have you been to see your GP?

[BurningBridges]

Hello Prion, have a look through this thread, you might spot some similar symptoms:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1195264-Please-help-so-fed-up-and-been-ill-for-months-is-it-an-ulcer-ibs-gallstones-or-what

[prioneyes]

Thanks, seeing GP tomorrow. That thread makes worrying reading, ugh!

[belledechocchipcookie]

That's good news. Insist on some tests, they should not diagnose IBS without.

[prioneyes]

She's suggested waiting it out to see what the results of the sigmoidoscopy are, and suspects they will recall me for a full colonoscopy. In the meantime she's suggested I try to reduce my wheat intake and she thinks it might be an idea to take some blood to check my gluten antibodies at some point. We also had a chat about my comfort/overeating and I'm having a look at a website she's recommended. Just feel fed up and annoyed that some of this is probably self-inflicted, but hey, I'll get there.

[belledechocchipcookie]

Sounds promising. Don't see it as self inflicted, see it as a sign of your body telling you it needs sorting out now. It may help to keep a food diary as this will help you to work out if there's certain foods that trigger it. Don't avoid foods without seeking medical advice though as it may cause a deficiency.

[BurningBridges]

Hi Prion, I agree with everything Belle says. Are you able to tell us the website the GP recommended - is it any good?

[BurningBridges]

PS - when is the sigmoidoscopy scheduled for?

[prioneyes]

The website is for eating disorders b-eat I think, can't link as on phone. Sig scheduled for next week.

[prioneyes]

Well, I had the sigmoidoscopy this morning - 'twas a piece of cake! - and the consultant couldn't see any problems. Having said that, the enema hadn't been that effective (IMO because my poo is so sticky and weird just now) so he didn't get a great look. No polyps or anything though and I felt a bit like he thought his time had been wasted. Anyway, I guess next I cut out wheat and take it from there. Just had some rice cakes for lunch, mmm-mmm