What the hell is wrong with my bowels??

[SconesClottedCramRaspberryJam]

Not a troll post- I’m a regular poster but have namechanged for obvious reasons (Mumsnet can verify)

I’ve got some problems with my bowels and I’m confused about what is causing them. My own GP is at a loss and I’ve been referred for investigations at the hospital although it is an extremely long wait. I’ve tried googling the symptoms (worst idea, I know) but I haven’t found anything that exactly matches my symptoms. I’m really, really hoping someone reads this and has any advice for what it could be causing this.

I’ve got the most itchy, uncomfortable burning feeling at my back passage. Its EXTREMELY itchy. The only thing I could find online about this was threadworms which I definitely don’t have.

The other symptom I’ve noticed that comes along with the itching is fecal marks in my underwear. I use wet wipes or specific cleaning wipes and make sure I’m COMPLETELY clean, and I shower twice a day, but I still end up with marks in my underwear so I think it’s possibly slight incontenance. I sometimes notice blood too although this isn’t very often and it’s usually just fecal marks. It’s not just a little bit, it’s a lot and it affects the clothes and colours I can wear and I spend all day terrified of it happening.

For background, I’ve got IBS-diarrhoea. Bloods and stool samples all normal. No inflammation. I can sort of manage it by controlling my diet but it’s hard and I get random episodes of uncontrollable diarrhoea. I’ve been referred to see the consultant but it’s not an urgent referral so will be a bit of a wait, but these symptoms are absolutely destroying my confidence everyday and I haven’t found anything online that matches the symptoms.

Does anyone know what could be causing this all?

Not a doctor here but could it be piles?

Haemorrhoids for at least some of your symptoms (itching, staining)

@cherish123

Not a doctor here but could it be piles?

Sorry I forgot to say- it’s not piles, haemorrhoids or fissures. I’ve been to the doctor already and was convinced it was piles causing this, but I had a physical examination and absolutely nothing was found which could be causing this.

Allergy to loo paper? Washing powder?

Could you be having an allergic reaction to the wet wipes

Have you tried anusol pessary (the one with hydrocortisone in it) for the itching. I know it’s normally for piles, but it might help the itching.

The other thing is have you tried probiotics? I found symprove really improved things for me, and they could help with your IBS symptoms

Any chance you could pay for a private consultation to get a diagnoses quicker?

@Lillyhatesjaz

Could you be having an allergic reaction to the wet wipes

Yep this too. Try changing your washing powder and loo roll brands for anti allergy ones, and knock off the wet wipes for a bit.

I would say it’s the menopause. How old are you OP. The menopause can cause very dry itchy skin in the whole region. It can also lead to the other problems you mention.

@cherish123

Not a doctor here but could it be piles?

I was also going to suggest this. Again, not a doctor and anyway hopefully doc has checked for this?

Otherwise, I think the consultant would be more helpful, they can take a proper look inside...I'd be wondering if it's possible IBD related rather than IBS, or some other bowel disease.

If you're not already, keep a diary of bowel motions and symptoms, along with what you're eating - will be useful for consultant to refer to.

In the meantime, I'd suggest switching to black cotton underwear so that at least you're not confronted with marks because they're upsetting you so much.

Do creams like sudacrem help with itching? You could also ask your gp about barrier creams which might help.

If gastro give you the all clear, I'd consider a possible skin condition. There are some which can affect - ahem - intimate areas.

It's possible all the cleaning you're doing is aggravating the situation as well, especially if it is a skin condition. I'd perhaps dispense with the wipes and soap and switch to water and cotton wool for a bit to see if that makes a difference...You might find this easier to manage if you can be at home for a few days. You could also try removing soap from your washes, or if you feel you have to use something, pick up some aqueous cream.

Finally, diarrhoea is a big irritant and it might simply be that it's causing the itching and bleeding you're experiencing. It could also be the cause for any continence issues...manage the diarrhoea and the other symptoms might go away. There are many ways to do this but - especially given your symptoms - I'd advise being lead by the consultant for anything over and above the gp might have already suggested (assuming you use immodium already).

Certainly don't embark on elimination diets without medical guidance (gluten especially, as eliminating it would mean you couldn't be tested for coeliac disease).

Try not to worry too much and don't feel bad about the symptoms you're experiencing. I know its distressing but you're not dirty or anything like that.

Maybe bowel diarrhoea, loose bowel, Crohn's disease, or hemorrhoids. There are so many things that it could be. Are you seeing a specialist?

When you say fecal marks, could it be bowel mucous rather than fecal matter?

It reminds me of an embarassing bodies I saw. The dr advised a high fibre diet and this really helped the person. What is your diet like? it may be causing the incontinence and faeces is in an irritant so that could be causing the itching.

I had this. It was so awful it ruined a few months of my life.
I eventually realised it was bloody scented loo roll. I had t realised that almost al loo roll is scented. If they have diamond shaped patterns they usually are.

Are you able to see a consultant privately?

As an aside, I had IBS diarrhoea for many years but these days it’s mostly under control. The one thing I found has made a big difference is when I started doing the Fast 800 programme. It’s basically a Mediterranean diet which is low carb and high in lean protein, vege, some fruit and good fats. The low carb is what has made the difference- cut out bread (occasionally have a slice of sourdough), pasta, rice, cakes, biscuits m, processed foods etc. I’m not suggesting that you calorie count, just to try to cut down or eliminate carbs and see if it helps the diarrhoea. When I look back to 20 years ago when it was so bad that I needed to be near a toilet at all times, I also consumed a lot of bread, rice and pasta. When I occasionally fall off the wagon I get a bout or two of loose bowels.

For the underwear staining perhaps wear a pantyliner or pad towards the back of your underwear.

Also try contacting the Bladder & Bowel UK charity for advice.

Have you tried different loo roll?

Has your gallbladder been removed?

I would guess Internal haemorrhoids. The GP can't feel them on examination, they can only see external ones.

My suggestion is candida (sort of thrush) in your rectum. I’ve had that before (probably from too much sugar ) and the itching is horrendous and did cause some staining. I had to sort my diet out to make it better.

@Mull

My suggestion is candida (sort of thrush) in your rectum. I’ve had that before (probably from too much sugar ) and the itching is horrendous and did cause some staining. I had to sort my diet out to make it better.

I put up with this for months took the thrush tablet used the cream oh the relief. Menopause means no soap etc near my nether regions just plain old water and sudocrem for the sore bits I get. And yes diet is a cause

Try googling Bile acid malabsorption and see if it fits your symptoms. Suffered for years before getting a diagnosis but medication really does help.

You can have internal piles that can be so far up your back passage they can’t be felt on an internal exam.

I would throw everything at this - ovex incase of threadworms (just incase you do have them, won’t do any harm), then a week or so later take a 150mg Fluconazole thrush treatment tablet and at the same time as those get some anusol suppositories. Try all of those things. I think if you’ve had all the other tests it has to be one of those or possibly all of them.

Do you eat spicy foods? Maybe it’s a food group triggering an allergy. My sons bowel specialist explained this can happen.
Do you know what I would do? Ring colon irrigation person. A good one . Not one at a beauty clinic someone who had good credentials. They can help you with your ibs and they spend their days talking to people about their bums and poos so have seen it all.

Haemorrhoids- I'm surprised your gp hasn't worked that one out!

The itching could be because you're not clean. That sounds awful, I know you said you wipe until you're completely clean, what I mean is when you leave skid marks in your knickers, that poo has sat around your anus before it's got to you knickers and that could be causing the itch.

I'd try something for jock itch, daktarin intensiv. Worth a shot for a week or 2.

Do you wear panty liners or pads? If so it could be those.

Do you have constipation with your IBS?

You poor thing, sounds like quite the ordeal. Hope you get some answers/relief