Bowel issues IBS now worried its something els ...

[43mumof2]

Just wondered if anyone could give support or advice ....hand holding ..
im just 43 , and iv been diagnosed for past 7 years or so with IBS , has flex sig and consultant happy .
years gone by , same on off symptoms bloating , left side stitch pain , wind ... last year i went to see him as i was still concerned , he put my mind at rest saying still thinks its severe IBS as i suffer with bad anxiety also , this year had lots of stress , but just recently the bloating is more constant along with nagging pain and bloating lower down womb area below belly botton , last few days on and off pain , on left side , but 2 days ago was on my right lower side by ubove knicker line and the bloating ...and then this morning my BM sorry TMI was quite dark ...not black but darker than iv had in past .....dull pain on right side still about ...
iv not lost weight , still eating , and only 1 motion a day ....
im worried sick now ....that its BC ...
iv made an appointment to see consultant tomorrow afternoon to get advice but im just worried , could it be something els other than BC ....
or has anyone had similar ...

[FortyCoats]

Hi there :)

I know that fear! I've been diagnosed with IBS for a number of years now and my symptoms are always different - life likes to scare the hell out of me!
I also suffer anxiety and depression and am stressed out most of the time which I know contributes to it.

If its a constipation episode it would explain the pain 'moving' because of course that's hard fecal matter navigating an irritable bowel. I've found peppermint oil capsules great for decreasing the number of those particular episodes and of course copious amounts of water. The darker stool could also be explained by this - sensitive bowel walls, bleeding under strain and irritation.

Still, if you're anything like me, you won't believe a word of that and head to the doctor anyway which incidentally I think is a good idea because a simple blood test will put your mind at ease and automatically relieve stress.

[43mumof2]

thanks forty , im highly anxious also most of the time to , iv had loads of blood tests done throughout this year and all ok apart from slight high white blood count which went normal again on re test .
i know its good iv got appointment tomorrow , just scared if iv had it all these years and its been missed not not caught early and its going to be bad news ...
sorry bit worried as you can prob tell
thanks for listening x

[Minime85]

Hi. I completely understand. I've been diagnosed IBS for 12 years now. Have ups and downs as you say. You are doing best thing seeing consultant. I'm sure it's just ibs changing its spots like it does.

Have you tried changing your diet to help or taking a supplement? Acupuncture ?

Hope appointment goes well x

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

If it helps I have colitis and have a number of dark bm each day at best. In a flare up it is lots of blood too but the progression of mine is such that my risk of BC is not elevated. Plus pains and bloating and so on.
I don't mean to do oneupmanship at all. Just wanted to show you that scary stuff can be OK.
So try not to panic but do talk to the hcps

[BualadhBos]

I have IBS. Had umbilical hernia and I get really bad bloating in that area as well. Feels like the hernia is trying to get back out through the repair. Haven't been to doctors for a while as I just can't face it. Had loads of tests a couple of years ago and nothing serious found so just have to live with it. I understand how scary it can be. I find Buscopan is the best thing for it. If your bloods are OK then it's probably nothing serious but I completely sympathise with you.

[43mumof2]

thank you everyone , helps to hear your stories , iv been under so much stress anxiety lately , so this not helping ,

WARNING TMI IF YOU READ ON BUT THOUGHTS APRECIATED IF YOU DO READ ...

i on sunday did try some gluten free bread , had 4 slices through the day had a cheese sandwhich then soon after had bad indigestion took gaviscon , then monday morning i had the stomach pains first thing on right side was in agony ,went after an hour or so , wondered if the bread could have done this ?
that morning BM ok ..well ok as mine are ...monday had fruite and fibre breakfast , egg, tom on seed bread and crisps lunch , tea spag bol , Tuesday BM , ok as can be for me , tuesday ate porrige , chicken salad lunch , nuts and seeds dry fruit , tea baked fish , pot and brocoli , as so bloated from monday fibre day before i think ,
then wednesday morning BM was the darker one ....got me worried ....dull pain most of day pelvic area, had porridge for breakfast , skipped lunch bit of fruit as so anxious worried , but had chilli and rice dinner , this morning BM bit dark patch but rest normal for me ....which is basically undigested food and broken ...but colour was brown ..

im going to go tonight say all this hope can either explanation or whatever he may suggest , iv had IBS for years live life of anxiety alot , this change has only just happened so im hoping its either just a blip ....or indeed if change iv caught early if anything sinister ....but hoping another explination ....

sorry im probably sounding over the top but im just a little scared ...

[43mumof2]

been thinking so much got myself all worried and googled ..

[43mumof2]

just been reading up on Colitis and some of my symptoms do fit ..although i dont get constant diharea .... i get loose motions and when stressed looser the rest of time mushy mainly .... do get cramping and iv been getting the mild tempreture thing , iv had this for months , my doctors said was my anxiety , also saw on one site rashes can be a symptom , iv been getting this also ...again doctor said was my anxiety ....

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

I don't get constant diarrhoea either. May be worth talking to your consultant about it. Sigmoidoscopy can confirm it.
Good luck and try not to worry!

[43mumof2]

thanks i will do , what were your other symptoms ...

[Minime85]

A good probiotic can really help I used to have a drink called symprove. I can't eat any wheat at all and dread to think what would happen if I ate bran flakes or anything like that.

I try not to have too much of anything really so I eat gluten free bread but only a couple of slices a day and only every couple of days. See veg like broccoli can be harsh on tummy. I'd keep a really close food diary and see what you notice. Hope appointment has been useful

[43mumof2]

thanks , appointment is at 6.30 so on count down ....gosh im so worried

[SunshineAndShadows]

Hi OP also consider Bile Acid Malabsorption it's responsible for about 1/3 IBS cases and treatable but massively under diagnosed.

[43mumof2]

thanks sunshine , not heard of that before i must say

[43mumof2]

ok back , well think im reasured a little .....

went in told him my months history of anxiety and blood tests from doctors etc high temp , aching etc ....wasnt to concerned about all that .

told him about my recent BM and my worrries with the right side pain and dark colour BM , but he said nothing i was saying was ringing alarm bells and that he thinks is just all part of my IBS playing up ....
he could see i was anxious as i got a bit tounge tied ...he said the fact that the pain had gone and isnt constant is a good sign and iv no weight loss or passing blood and i go my usual once a day , so hes not concerned .
but will do a inflamitory BM test just to tick all the boxes so i will do that next week and then see him again in a month to see how im going .
He also will put me in touch with a dietitian so can maybe help with my diet ...as i said i get so confused what to eat what not ...

so all in all i guess i should feel reasured shouldt i ????

[Minime85]

Absolutely. Be reassured.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

Sorry was busy earlier. Do be reassured. Absolutely.
I get explosive urgency at least 3 times a day most days. It is usually a mix of poo, mucous and blood. Sometimes it is mostly blood. Steroids help.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

43mumof2 Sounds like the faecal calprotectin test. I had that recently and came back high but mine was due to taking anti inflammatories for a number of years. Think it's a fairly new test and good at spotting inflammatory conditions. Hope you get sorted.

[43mumof2]

thanks , BM this morning bit of darker bit there rest my normal mushy brown undigested food ones ...which are "normal for me as he put it ...
no more pain on right side ....
trying to feel reassured but still feeling anxious .....if he was really concerned hed have me in for investigations surly ?

trying not to let anxiety run my head ...

looked up that symprove probotic looks good , not sure where an get it from though ...will try get some i think ...

[43mumof2]

still very worried now , been googling once more and found more info about colour of stools , maroon being one of them being internal bleeding from BC or other digestive issues ...
my BM was dark not black but possibly maroon ....meaty looking ...sorry TMI
i looked very closely today , few darker patches but mainly my normal mush , undigested food etc ..
but reading this info has freaked me out ..... what should i do now ...anything ? wait for stool test i guess see if shows inflimation ...didnt know about the maroon colour was looking out for black stools ....
and gastroconsultant was asking if black ...and or any visiable blood ...didnt mention maroon ....

sorry i must sound nuts but im getting myself so anxious not sure where to go with it all ...any advice ? hand holding .. thanks for listening x

[123why456]

I need to stop googling other wise ur bowls will not settle if u being anxious makes them worse, I suffer with ibs and also health anxiety if I'm really anxious my bowls go but and then I think I have bc and it just goes round in circles, I stopped googling as I would spend hours looking up symptoms and convince my self it was something bad once I stopped googling and calmed down my bowls went back to normal as they could be, I only get it bad before my period now and then it settles! As soon as I feel anxious I go for a walk or distract my self. XXXX

[43mumof2]

thank you 123why , for kind words in your reply , i know your right , and i know googling wont help , nor will me constantly worrying but i just cant seem to stop myself , i feel like im a neusence to everyone and iv no where to turn at times , im frightened and scared to be honest, and my consultant the other day wasnt helping me much he had no compassion at all , i saw him roll his eyes at one point ...
i have health anxiety yes i know, and i understand i can come across over anxious and desperate and thats hard for some people to deal with , but all i want is a little kindness and compassion and for him to say , your doing the right thing and i will do my best to help you , i am paying him £130 for 15 min consultation ....a little kindness wasnt to much to ask ...

i dont know its prob just me again ...i am trying to distract myself today , get out of the house today , may help , glasd you seem to have your IBS under control x
thank you for listening

[123why456]

Health anxiety is horrible me health anxiety and ibs started after I had my dd I was convinced some things bad was going to happen to her but after I went to and spoke to them I calmed down but seem to have passed it on to my self, I think my doctors got fed up of me but I had one who was very understanding and really did put my mind at East after sending in samples and blood tests they all came back clear now I keep a eye on when I'm due on and know of my stools start changing its normally a week or 2 before I'm due on so keeping a diary had also helped me cope as I know why it's happening xxx

[gobbin]

You seem to be eating a lot of fibre which can irritate an inflamed bowel. Have you tried a low residue diet? Have a look and try it for a couple of weeks to see if things settle a little.

It doesn't have to be too restrictive, the link below gives typical advice. Hooe it helps

www.gwh.nhs.uk/media/140811/low-residue_diet.pdf

[43mumof2]

thank you both , yes iv been back and forth to my doctors through the years about my IBS i even saw my consultant last year who again said was all my IBS ...
and this year iv been back and forth to the doctors with varoious symptoms all they keep putting it down to is my anxiety ....and ibs

im at a total loss when it comes to diet i must say ....but will look up the link now thank you gobbin x

i feel like i want to get seen by someone who can understand me and help meand take the time to go through my symptoms one by one and get to the bottom of it all

xxxx