Should I be worried ? Or is it nothing

[progestermoan]

Had stomach/bowel issues for nearly a year now

Severe pains, wind, constant changes in bowel movements, mucous etc and occasionally small amounts of blood (v small gp said probably piles but can’t see or feel any)

Was referred to gynae not gastro as they said at my age unlikely to be bowel issues even though a family history of it.

I’ve put up with this and it’s getting bad again cannot pinpoint any food issues or trigger and I’m actually fed up.
I get pain on left side constantly and it’s extreme just before needing to go and after. Usually I go once every 1-2 days (and when I need to it’s urgent) but this week out of nowhere I haven’t been in 5 days ?? I feel uncomfortable but higher up if that makes sense but def no need to go which is odd.

If I go back to the gp they’ll fob me off again I think but this is affecting my whole life I get backache from it too and so many times I’ve gone to a and e when the pain has been severe. I’m drained and always anaemic but bloods show nothing else.
It is affecting my quality of life.
I’m considering if it’s worth it to go private to bypass being fobbed off but it’s so expensive or do I just get an emergency appt tomorrow.

Um, that sounds an obstruction.

Neither adhesions or a bowel stricture would show up on an ultrasound. I'm not aware of any scans that would show adhesions, but MRI can pick up a stricture.

You need to push for colonoscopy.

More immediately, how much clear fluid are you drinking?

If you have a stricture (narrowing of your intestine caused by scar tissue or inflammation) then it could cause all the issues you describe. Increasing fibre would make it worse because it would cause partial or full obstruction.

The last urgent bowel movement you had was liquid presumably? If so, you definitely sound obstructed. If you had a narrowing of your bowel on the left side, then all that would be able to pass through would be liquid.

Drink lots more water or clear fluids, cut the caffeine, and see if it starts to pass. It may not be that sensible to be eating until it clears.

If it doesn't, and especially if you start getting pain too, you need to seek medical attention. An obstruction could lead to perforation and sepsis.

Radiating pain... At its worst do you feel shivery too?

Stabbing? Pulling? Throbbing? Pressure? What kind of pain?

How far does it radiate?

It starts a few inches in from my hip bone and radiates down but not quite to my groin and up to almost under ribs
It’s a sharp pain where it starts and the rest is more dull
Just before during and after for a few mins going to the toilet the left side feels awful then it subsides. It feels ‘full’ and achy and I never feel like I’m empty even after going.
Last time I went it wasn’t liquid it was just not right, not ’normal’ for me at all I’d say semi solid, and thinner than usual which I’ve looked up and I think I need to mention that to the gp

No not shivery

Do you have 'attacks' that subside and then recur days or weeks later? Do you ever feel really nauseous but not throw up?

It’s always there so not attacks as such but sometimes it gets a lot worse
Rarely feel sick, but have a little bit today

Go back to your GP for proper medical advice. Keep going back until it's sorted.

I could have written your post. I lived with it for years after being fobbed off by GPs - turned out to be ulcerative colitis, which is now very well managed but flared up so badly before it was diagnosed that I very nearly died. Go back to your GP and push for a colonoscopy!

35 & you could be describing me but no anemia. Recently had intercusseption (sp?) which is when the weak bowel twists/telescopes into itself! Weird & painful. My colonoscopy was clear too....

What has helped is OATS EVERY DAY - you say porridge but is it processed/instant variety? Whole oats every day are a big help

Also brown bread - not good enough, it’s often bleached brown but no better. Breads with loads of visible seeds & very grainy are better

Have veggies with every meal

I know some may not agree but medicinal marijuna is also a laxative for me

All the best

I really think you need a colonoscopy, asap. If it were me I'd try my best to get a referral appt for one in the morning, and if that doesn't work I'd go private.

Oh OP, you MUST push for colonoscopy. Tomorrow.

Agree with everyone that you must have a colonoscopy. I suffered a twisted bowel, total blockage eventually due to a build-up of scar tissue. I didn't get to my colonoscopy: whilst waiting for it I collapsed and underwent emergency surgery - I would have died without this. Your symptoms sound a bit different to mine, but hopefully your problem will equally fixable (and with less drama!)

You need a colonoscopy, and ask for faecal calprotectin test too.
The bleeding and mucus can be signs of Ulcerative colitis. Have they checked the inflammation markers in your blood too?

IBD doesn’t discriminate against age. Your diet is very healthy but I’ve got Crohn’s disease and it would cripple me.

Push for a colonoscopy. Best of luck.

Hi OP, I could have written your post word for word except i do have piles. I saw my gp last week and he has requested an urgent colonoscopy and took blood and stool samples the same day. He said if I were in my 20s he’d say IBS, but as I am in my late 40s he wants a thorough check. Please push for an urgent colonoscopy.

OP my husband had exactly the same symptoms as you and he ended up being diagnosed with coeliac disease. Please go back to your GP.

I’m sorry to hear your story, sounds exactly the same as me, bizarre! I had to cut out a whole lot of things one by one to try and see what the (many) triggers were. One of the surprises was Diet Coke or coffee with sweeteners gives me the runs if I have one daily. Answer is to cut out sweetener or have it only every second day. Also I can’t eat peas or carrots as they give me agonising cramps for three days. And other things. It took over a year of pain and suffering to get my gp to take a poo sample to test for signs of nasty things like inflammation etc. All clear. He referred me to the nhs dietician because I can eat so few foods and am peri menopausal so have to consider my bone strength etc. The appointment took many weeks to arrive but was helpful. I looked at fodmap stuff too. And I took homeopathic remedies prescribed for me (and they worked for me and I don’t care if there is no evidence) and I am much better now. I’ve upped my protein and now eat nuts and have cut out dairy almost totally. Good luck with your gp. Insist on further help. I hope you get answers soon and feel better.

This chap me and my husband are seeing had a few strict words to say about coffee
How it’s a Poseidon to the system
Even decaf

Dh is gutted
Thankfully I’m not a coffee drinker

I had digestive problems for years, too long and occasionally gross to list, most likely gastritis but I never actually got a diagnosis - had scans, tests for coeliac and h. pylori but nothing definitive.

After completely cutting out coffee and alcohol, massively reducing citrus and being careful with other irritants such as tomato, it’s miles better. Pretty much normal.

Whilst still pushing with GP for a diagnosis, try cutting out coffee and other acidic foods. It won’t do any harm and it may do some good.

Poison bloody hell..Poseidon
Does gluten free help with ulcerative colitis.

Since cutting out all gluten from whatever source and dairy.
I’m in a more normal for me bowel programme
I also think the castor oil..just three caps every other day is kind of oiling the system

I know I have a lot of healing to do...but yes do get your gp to thoroughly get you checked over
I’ve had all the blood tests and scans and nothing was found but I’ve had tremendous problems still
I asked my doc for dietary advice and he leaned across the table and said
My dear, I think you know more about this than I do

So I’ve turned to different sources and I feelim finally climbing the greasy pole of good health.

It’s an awful thing not being able to eat like normal people, but once you accept it and work with it you realise that having a well, healthy day is so much better than a piece of pizza or a donut

I'd say you definitely need an emergency appointment tomorrow morning. Ask - and push for - an urgent referral to a Gastroenterologist too. If your symptoms get worse, go to an urgent care centre tonight to check for obstruction. By all means modify your diet, but you need a diagnosis first.

My sister had this (similar anyway) eventually after a year of being fobbed off by the gp she went private and has been diagnosed with an yeast allergy - the difference in her is amazing, she is so well now. There are so many foods with hidden yeast products in them, she eats well now but makes lots from scratch and all her symptoms have gone.

Have got a referral

Managed to ‘go’ finally but it was followed by a huge amount of mucous so something is really not right hopefully the appt comes through soon

Don't do all sorts of weird diet adjustments. This sounds like ulcerative colitis - get back to the GP and be as firm as you can about your symptoms; you could keep a diary about them before your appointment.
FYI there is no evidence suggesting that diet affects colitis at all, so all the people self diagnosing about gluten etc need to be careful. All that's suggested is low residue and not too much fat.