Please tell me it gets better

[needtogettothebottomofthis]

I've been having frequent bowel motions for 2+ months now. 3-6 times per day.

I spoke to the GP 7 weeks ago who told me to buy probiotic tablets and take them for 4-6 weeks before contacting again.
Needless to say they haven't worked.

I contacted again about 1.5 weeks ago and was prescribed mobeverine. I'm now in the toilet 10+ times a day.

I have terrible OCD which means I shower twice after using the toilet. My skin is red and burnt and peeling.

I contacted the GP again today who said, "I told you to take probiotics for 6 weeks and it's only been 2 weeks. "
She was very rude.

I asked to do a stool sample. They'll check for cancer and ibd. If its negative, I have ibs. But she said there is nothing I can do to reduce the frequency.

I haven't eaten in 2 days but I'm still going often. I'm so tired and crave sugar.

I can't go on

Sounds awful. You need to speak to a decent GP, is there someone else in the practice? You could ask the receptionist or look on their website to see if anyone has a special interest in mental health (for the OCD aspect). They might be more understanding. Have you taken Imodium just to calm things down while you wait for results?

Most likely you have frequent bowel movements die to the extremely high levels of anxiety you are experiencing. Anxiety makes us clear our bowels as part of the fight/flight response.

You need to seek mental health support for your OCD - that seems to me the burning building here. You need a registered clinical psychologist who can treat you for OCD. Very luckily OCD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions and responds well to good evidence-based treatment.

Can you pay privately if your local mental health service is overwhelmed? Does your gp know about the ocd and it's extent?

Thanks for the replies.

My OCD is stable, I have always showered after using the toilet but obviously with the frequent motions it's increased the frequency. I don't think the motions are caused by anxiety. I'm 26 and was diagnosed at a very young age so I have quite a good handle on it.

I just got some imodium this evening, so I'm trying to eat now.

My gp practice is quite rubbish. You have to ask a receptionist who demands you fill in an E consult but that says it can't be completed due to my symptoms (blood in stools etc) so I call them back, they book me with a random gp for a phone call some days later. There's absolutely no f2f unfortunately.

I'm just thinking surely people with ibs don't just do this 10x a day for the rest of their life?

I have gone 33 to 6 times a day for as long as I can remember. I have relatively mild IBS. I can have diarrhoea and constipation in the same day. If for any reason I miss a day altogether, the following day I have cramps and. if I do manage to go, very hard dry stools, which only gets worse if I don't manage it.

Everyone's normal is different. I manage the hygiene by having a cheap, pump action moisturiser by each of my toilets. Once paper has done the est it can, the next wipe has a liberal amount of moisturiser. A wipe with that followed, if necessary, another dry wipe.

Managing your OCD seems a bigger priority to me.

I don't know that stool samples (or blood tests) are always conclusive for IBD, you need to push for a colonoscopy.

I really feel for you and hope you get somewhere with the gp quickly

@NannyGythaOgg

I have gone 33 to 6 times a day for as long as I can remember. I have relatively mild IBS. I can have diarrhoea and constipation in the same day. If for any reason I miss a day altogether, the following day I have cramps and. if I do manage to go, very hard dry stools, which only gets worse if I don't manage it.

Everyone's normal is different. I manage the hygiene by having a cheap, pump action moisturiser by each of my toilets. Once paper has done the est it can, the next wipe has a liberal amount of moisturiser. A wipe with that followed, if necessary, another dry wipe.

Managing your OCD seems a bigger priority to me.

I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds dreadful.

Is there anything you take that relieves it at all?

I'm gonna try the moisturiser tip, thanks.

In regards to my OCD. It's been like this since I was 4. I used to drink and soak my skin in bleach and disinfectant to get rid of my dad's germs as he was contaminated and abused me.
Right now though it's not bad, it's my normal routine but the routine is more repeated due to the repeated toilet visits. I'm hoping I can learn to change the routine slightly. I've started to only have one shower after the toilet (usually 2) so that's a huge step forward.

@Susu49

I don't know that stool samples (or blood tests) are always conclusive for IBD, you need to push for a colonoscopy.

I really feel for you and hope you get somewhere with the gp quickly

Thank you so much. I'm going to request this tomorrow.

It's taken them 2 months to agree to do a stool sample so I'll definitely push for the colpnoscopy.

Thank you

Sounds horrible for you. I'd push for a test for coeliac disease. This is exactly how my mum's presented.

@colouringindoors funny you mention coeliac disease. If I touch pizza I have really bad symptoms. But only pizza type bread. I'm adding it to the list thank you x

Op, you're craving sugar because the frequency of going to the loo is depleting your energy stores.

I think most of us are assuming you're having diarrhoea, in which case speak to the pharmacist but I suggest you get some Rehydration salts and take them as per instructions. Certain foods can help, different for every individual but if ok for you things like eggs and marshmallow are 'binding'.

Also, in line with what your body tolerates, try and ensure you're eating some high calorie foods to keep your body fuelled.

Regardless of whether you have diarrhoea or not, keep up your fluids.

Keeping a diary of all symptoms can be really helpful when consulting with doctors.