Can IBD present out of the blue like this/could this be IBD

[nononononooooooo]

I'm in my 20s and otherwise healthy.

6 months ago I had an episode of diarrhea and stomach cramps, I fainted because of the stomach cramps and a few hours later passed what looked like bright red bloody mucus that sink straight to the bottom of the toilet bowl. My stomach felt sensitive for a few days after that but no other symptoms. I went to the GP who said they thought it was a bug or food poisoning.

It's happened again, exact same symptoms - diarrhea and stomach cramps followed by rectal bleeding. I've had the bleeding for 3 days now, the diarrhea has finished and I have normal stool but am passing bright red jelly/liquid along with my stools/on the outside of my stool. I still have the stomach cramps, a burning feeling in my lower abdomen. I've been to the GP and I'm having stool samples tested for calprotectin/inflammation and an infection. I'm also having a full blood count. I had a rectal exam and have no lumps or piles.

Does this sound like it could be a flare up/the beginning of IBD? Or something else?

One of my most prominent symptoms when I flare is the mucus/blood mix you describe. I have Crohn's Disease.

Flares can come out of nowhere but rarely settle fully without intervention.

I am glad you are having those tests done. It may help to have a colonoscopy, too, you can ask your GP to refer for that, or they can refer you to your local gastro team for further investigation.

Try not to worry too much. Even if it is IBD, the treatments available are wonderful and there is so much support out there x

DH had a huge flare out of the blue. Severe diarrhoea through the day and up in the night, vomiting, stomach pain, weight loss etc. Lasted 2 weeks then disappeared.
A month later, it came back. Went to GP, DH was on the ball and asked for calprotectin test and it came back as astronomically high and after a colonoscopy, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
He does pretty well on his meds. Got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a few years on but again, responding well to meds.
He works and we can go out without issues. He has had to adapt his diet and lifestyle but he does ok. You will be as well, don't try and cope alone. There is a lot of support out there. DH said the worst part was the unknown but once he got the diagnosis and was on the right meds, everything started to feel less frightening x

I have Crohn’s disease which was finally diagnosed at 36! Early 20s was told that it sounded like I had ‘a touch of ibs’. I didn’t push and just took on board what they said but I never had any energy, sore joints and often bouts of diarrhoea for no reason. Mid 20s they diagnosed panic attacks based on my symptoms. Feeling faint, heat rushing over me, rushing to the toilet etc. I assumed they knew what they were talking about as they were the Doctors and I didn’t even know much, if anything about IBD.
Finally, I suppose with the right doctor and after some terrible bleeding I was transferred and finally diagnosed. Now I know what my flares feel like I 100% know that I have never had a panic attack. That was what was wrong all along. Ask for the calprotectin test and a colonoscopy. I ended up hospitalised because things got so bad. I’m now doing really well on my meds and life is so much better. I know what to look for at the first stages of a flare so that things never get that bad. Moral of the story is push until you get the right tests, don’t be like me and just plod along, I’d never have gotten so sick had I known what to push for.

DS has IBD and his initi symptoms were a bit of blood in his poo and a few days of diarrhoea. Calprotectin was high and following colonoscopy and endoscopy diagnosed. Glad the gp is doing calprotectin test as that can be very helpful (not always). But I thought blood in stool for adults should be immediate referral for scopes.

I've had my results from my stool sample back and there is no sign of infection but high inflammation so I've been urgently referred to gastroenterology. Feeling quite upset and anxious about it all

Sorry you feel so worried op I’ve been there and it’s not nice at all. It’s good that you have it back and hopefully the next part will come through quickly. Try not to worry I Googled my results and made myself a million times worse. Next step should be a colonoscopy and they will take biopsies and see where the inflammation is. From there they will know what it is and how to medicate you to help. I’m now 2 years in and been good for a year. I did take advantage of counselling my work offered. I didn’t want to or think it would help but it actually did. Don’t get me wrong I have bad days were I feel sad because I know I now have the potential to be seriously ill again but they are few and far between. Just take each day as it comes and know that you are at least getting the help you need.

Have you taken anti-inflammatories recently? (My gut just won't get on with them, even if I take PPIs at the same time, e.g. omeprazole.)
Also, I had a nasty reaction to a particular type of antibiotics years ago (macrolide family), which I eventually found out was the reason for the most awful pains and bloody diarrhoea - I'd lost the lining of my gut, so it was bleeding quite profusely. It was the only time ever that I thought I would die as I felt so bad. So I'm wondering if you've had ABs recently too.
Your urgent referral just means they want to rule out something nasty, rather than rule it in - I underwent two flexible sigmoidoscopies earlier this year as it was possible I had bowel cancer as the cause of my symptoms - it wasn't cancer, but they had to check.
Try to think of the referral as the fast lane to getting treatment for whatever it is.
There are a whole host of things out there that could be causing your symptoms.
I know that's easier said than done. Good luck.

Sorry to hear you're feeling anxious but great you're being referred to gastroenterology - you'll likely be seen by a consultant and/or an IBD specialist nurse - they really know their stuff and being under their care is best way to get a diagnosis. If it is IBD its better know ASAP so that you can start treatment, there's lots of options & they can be really effective at keeping flares under control & stopping any damage to your bowel.

I have crohns & had various treatments over the years so very happy to answer any questions.

@nononononooooooo

Hi, just wondering how things ended up for you?

Hi, I had a colonoscopy which showed everything appeared normal, and all my biopsies came back normal too. I've not had the bleeding since, but still get episodes of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. I have a follow-up with an IBD consultant in a few weeks so I'll update this thread if I gain any more information.

Glad to hear all was ok. Hope you get some answers though. Good luck. Thanks for the update