Too scared to go to the doctor

[wuell]

Not a troll, have been here for 6+ years that MNHQ can verify.

I haven't had a 'normal' bowel movement in about 8 months, most of my 'movements' have been diarrhoea. My flatulence smells like something has died inside of me. I have told the GP about the diarrhoea a few months ago but they weren't interested. I now have bright red blood in my stools/when I wipe and my stomach hurts and I'm petrified and too scared to go back to the doctors. My grandfather and uncle both have IBS and I assumed I had that too, but neither of them ever had blood in their stool. Aibu to not go back? I'm so worried and I just can't face it

Call tomorrow.

The vast vast likelihood is the blood is piles - which is a normal thing to get if you are suffering from diarrhoea due to IBS.

Another possibility is it’s an inflammatory bowel condition like ulcerative colitis or crohns, both of which can be treated, but the sooner the better.

The doctor will take stool and blood samples. If nothing shows up it’s IBS in which case you will have to work on your diet. If inflammation shows up then you’ll be referred to gastro who will figure out what it is. Again, sooner the better.

The chances of it being cancer are small so focus on what’s more likely and sorting that out.

BYW probiotics really help some people - I find symprove is great.

IBD is one. There will be others do. It’s doesn’t mean you have cancer.

OP I had all these symptoms, for a longer period, and I was terrified to go to the doctor. I assumed it was bowel cancer as my poor mum had died from that later in life... it was in fact a giant polyp that was removed in a very straightforward colonoscopy procedure, and everything has been completely fine since then! Getting it checked was the best thing I ever did, please go and see someone, it's very unlikely to be what you are most scared of.

I get that the GP wasn't particularly interested initially - but why on earth let tfe problem continue for months without going back - or at least checking in with 111?
Definitely go back to your GP.

@Cleoforever no, haven't ever been abroad.

You know you need to go back to a GP.

The blood and pain will make them take you seriously.

It could be one of a number of other conditions: Diverticulitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, (different to IBS), Colitis, Constipation, Piles etc.
Going to see your doctor won’t give you cancer or any other condition, if you’ve got it then you’ve got it however it might just save your life if it is cancer.
Make that appointment, not knowing is worse than be diagnosed.

Knowing or not knowing won't change what it is - but knowing will mean you can get help - be brave op,.you can do it.

Are you thinking giardiasis? It's brutal. I lost a lot of weight before i was brave enough to go to the doctor.

My daughter had those symptoms and she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis which is managed by medication. It could also be Crohn’s disease which is not great but manageable. Please get it checked out.

I have Crohn's disease so that (or ulcerative colitis) are always my first though reading threads like these, but of course there are many other possible explanations. Crohn's and Colitis Uk has a symptom checker tool on their website which might be worth looking at and potentially showing to your GP if it flags a need for medical check.

I got shigella

horrific

but Antibiotics sorted very very quickly

Hope you get it sorted soon OP

Could be giardiasis. That gives those kind of symptoms.

Please make an appointment to see your GP.
I had the same symptoms and was fobbed off with “anxiety” and given antidepressants, sleeping pills and diazepam for months.
It was only when my GP referred me to a gastro consultant, “ so that he can tell you there’s nothing wrong with you”, that I was given a colonoscopy and diagnosed with Crohn’s - not one part of my bowel was healthy.
The consultant was furious - the GP had ignored every red flag, such as blood in stool, weight loss, pain etc.

Ive been diagnosed for 13 years now and am in remission but on meds, and I have annual tests and a colonoscopy every 5 years, so I’m under surveillance for bowel cancer, which gives me peace of mind.

This myth gets trotted out on here every time rectal bleeding is mentioned. Yes, bright red blood may be haemorrhoids or an anal fissure but can also be a symptom of colon or rectal cancer. OP needs to go to her GP.

Don't be in the situation a year from now of wishing you had gone and got this sorted.

Even if its cancer, and it might not be, you have plenty of options for treatment if caught early. My mum is elderly, has had cancer 3 times, one being very rare, and she has been in remission for 7 years.

If you don't go you're basically burying your head in the sand and giving yourself no chance? You honestly don't want to leave this unlocked at because if its serious you'll need treatment or pain relief anyway further down the line. Don't have regrets.

Hi guys, in case anyone was wondering, the doctor suspects IBS/Chron's but the bleeding was due to a pile

I’m so pleased you got seen OP. Piles are very common and nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve had some on and off ever since I gave birth to my DS. They flare up sometimes but they’re not enflamed most of the time.

Presumably the GP will do some tests if they suspect Crohn’s? I hope all goes well and you are able to get to the, ahem, bottom of it!

@wuell Did they say IBD or IBS? They're two very different things. IBD is the umbrella term for the autoimmune diseases Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis. They can be treated but they're chronic. IBS is a catch all term for general tummy issues, usually used when they can't find another cause. The treatments usually focus on diet, stress and over the counter things like peppermint capsules.

Have they referred you for further tests? You’ll need a colonoscopy to confirm Crohn’s - it’s a very different condition to ibs (my mum had severe Crohn’s all her life).

Ha! Thanks for update. I hope you're on a pathway to feeling much better.

I don't want to worry you but please please push for proper screening. I know a couple of people who had symptoms dismissed as IBS without investigation and was actually cancer.

You will need blood tests, colonoscopy and possibly imaging.

Please go. Lots of things cause blood in stools that can be fixed xxx