What is wrong with me

[babachic]

I'm in so much pain I can barely move, had constant stomach/lower back pains since Tuesday. Thought it was a tummy bug due to nature of the pain but had no vomiting or diarrhoea, just non stop nausea. My entire body aches and I'm exhausted but nothing.l seems to be helping 😭

Was at out of hours last night where they did a pregnancy test and test on my kidneys and all came back ok, just some protein in my urine, and it was ruled as stomach bug but Ihave never been so unwell with a bug before.

Getting myself in a state as over the past few months I've had issues with my stools (blood streaks, pain, blood in the toilet) but I haven't told anyone because my GP surgery is impossible to get through to on the phone and I didn't say to the hospital last night because I was too concerned about the back pain and possible kidney issues (this is what they were focusing on too)

I'm supposed to be back at work tomorrow and I'm in so much pain and feel constantly sick and I just want to know what is wrong and how to make it better 😭

I’m glad they’re finally listening @babachic good luck with everything

I wonder...(It feels trite to suggest it but I suppose you have nothing to lose by trying)

..I wonder if peppermint might help ease the pain a little? I use peppermint tea myself but lots of people have luck with peppermint oil. There is scientific evidence to support it...

I'd obviously say check with pharmacist before taking peppermint capsules and I'm not suggesting it will cure the pain but it might help take the edge off maybe.

Also don't underestimate paracetamol as a painkiller but stay away from aspirin and ibrubrofen

Ginger is also a good anti sickness remedy btw so ginger tea might help

@TaraR2020 oh that's a fab idea, I actually
love peppermint tea but have just been having water as too scared to drink anything else with the nausea. will give it a try just now before going to bed and hope for the best!

trying a hot water bottle tonight as well as paracetamol, hoping for anything to make the pains stop for a wee while at least 🤞

@babachic how are you feeling today? I hope peppermint tea provided a little relief

hi @TaraR2020 thanks for checking in

Not great today, the pain has been really bad and I've spent most of today in bed crying so DP contacted the doctors to see if they can get my bloods done quicker than next week (no luck) but they offered some co codamol. just taken the first one so hoping it makes a difference

If the pain's that bad, you ought to go to A&E, honestly! If they admit you they can give you proper pain relief, monitor you, and run all the investigations they need to.

Time to kick up a stink, op!

I really feel for you @babachic as I’ve been there & I know how horrible it is. Are you able to eat anything? Is the pain affecting your sleep? I didn’t respond to codeine but I found Tramadol cut through the pain. But most people find Codeine does the job.

I do agree with @TaraR2020 though that you should consider going to A&E. I found in general medical staff were quite dismissive of abdominal pain. When I was finally admitted I met other women that had similar experiences of being fobbed off.

@Bluekangaroo123 i am still able to eat but i don't really feel like it although trying my best for at least dinner and a snack every day! i agree with them being dismissive, i had lots of abdominal pains in my late teens and was told by a doctor that 80% of abdominal pain goes undiagnosed so i should just learn to deal with it 

@TaraR2020 i'm going to see how the pain goes tonight but thinking i'll go to A&E tomorrow to hopefully get some tests done as it's now been 7 days of pain and nothing has helped

First time taking co-codamol tonight as well - wow it's making me very sleepy!

Glad you can at least eat something Babachic. I really hope you get some relief tonight. Good plan to go to A&E tomorrow. Yes the positive of co-codamol is that the woozy side effect can be quite pleasant!

How are you Babachic?

hi @Bluekangaroo123, the cocodamol has really taken the edge off the pain which is good. Didn't manage to get a blood appointment for this week (tried calling for cancellations everyday) so will be getting them done next week the day before the wedding (looking forward to the bruised arms in my wedding pics )

Things haven't been great today but not because of me - my daughter has a sickness bug so we've been up since 2.30am and i haven't had a minute to think about my pain because been too busy sorting her which is good and bad i guess!

Feeling much better compared to the start of the week now that the ball is rolling and i have good pain medication but the pain hasn't been as intense as it was Mon-Wed which i'm hoping is a good sign

How are you?

I hope you can enjoy your wedding

So relieved to hear this Babachic. Sorry to hear about your daughter but glad to hear the pain is less intense. Hope you can enjoy your wedding & at least the blood test will start the process of seeing what’s going on.
I’m ok, thanks for asking.

Hello OP. Glad you have an appointment. Make sure they do fecal calprotectin test and full bloods (there is a shortage of blood test vials at the moment so push hard if they try to put you off). Blood in poo should always be treated seriously. It can be embarrassing but believe me, they've seen it all before

I have crohns and ulcerative colitis. Both can present with bleeding and pain, with nausea. It can take a long time to get diagnosed so ask if they are testing for it and ruling it in or out.

Like others have said it could be many things but make sure that crohns and colitis is in their list. It often starts in late teens /early 20s.

Please tell the doctors about the bleeding.

Wishing you a speedy diagnosis and recovery.

@DuckPancake @Bluekangaroo123
thank you! Can't believe it's so close now 

@ablutiions thank you, and sorry to hear they took a while to diagnose you! I had blood tests today and sent my samples away, it was q fit and just a normal sample bottle so hoping to get them all back by the end of the week. the doctor did mention something about checking for possible inflammation/inflammatory issues so hoping they can check as much as possible with these tests and things become clearer 🤞

hi everyone!

I chased up my blood and q fit results today and was told my bloods are same as usual (fine with slightly low iron) but the doctor wants to talk to me about the q-fit results. The earliest appointment they could give was Monday, unsure what it could mean but DH (how weird to say he's my husband now!) is worrying

Anyone got experience of this?

Sorry to hear what you have been going thru!
Could it possibly be crohns?

@Hoorayhenryyah honestly I have no idea, I had a look at the symptoms for crohns and there's definitely some crossover with what I have but my symptoms also match with so many things in some parts that I feel totally confused

got my call with the doctor tomorrow and getting nervous

Hey @babachic , hang in there.

Make sure you have a list of any questions and a clear understanding of next steps in diagnosis and treatment whilst you are getting to a diagnosis.

The dismissive comment re 80% of pain being undiagnosed is not helpful, and not applicable for such extreme pain. Please keep pressing until you have answers and an effective way to control symptoms.

Re the colonoscopy, they give you very strong laxatives to take beforehand to clear you out. I can recommend applying a barrier of sudocrem before you take it, as it protects your bum from getting sore (no one told me first time !). And stay near a loo, as they act very quickly sometimes . Colonoscopy is never a fun day out, but it gives the doctors a really good way to look at your bowels, and take biopsies to rule things in and out. You get used to them after a while . I've met some lovely bottom doctors over the years

You may or may or may not have crohns or colitis, but this useful resource tells you more about diagnosis- the same methods are used for a number of conditions, so may be helpful.

https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/getting-a-diagnosis

Let us know how you get on.

Sorry, meant to include this link for information on the tests they might do

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/tests-and-investigations-for-ibd

I also came across a reference to guts.uk which might also be helpful . gutscharity.org.uk/

@ablutiions thank you very much for your fab advice and lots of useful links! will have a read through

Doc called and said the test for inflammation was negative but my blood shows low iron and my fit test was positive too so i'm now being referred to the gastro specialists at hospital - I assume next steps will be colonoscopy?