Any ideas what might be causing these GI symptoms (mid-teens)

[MyYellowLabradorLife]

We have a doctors appointment later this week, but just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what this might be:

Intermittent diarrhea, generally painless so can be unexpected/urgent.

we’ve previously put it down to anxiety as often linked.

episodes over last month increasing in frequency to a few times per week. Can no longer just put it down to anxiety.

can also sometimes be constipated.

blood in toilet/on paper - previously put it down to piles caused by the GI episodes but i’m not so sure now. Can be either a small amount or quite a lot (dripping into bowl). Fresh blood.

Bloating on and off.

also heavy periods

generally has felt and looked a bit ‘off’ the last few weeks, falling asleep on sofa in the evenings earlier than normal bedtime.

has had a slightly raised temp on and off over the last few weeks too, nothing remarkable but enough to make her feel not so great.

I would ask GP for a blood test to rule out coeliac disease. There are so many symptoms and it’s always worth ruling it out as it requires a complete lifestyle overhaul. My children are coeliac; DD had horrific symptoms and was symptomatic for 4 years before the GP finally agreed to a simple blood test which confirmed it. My son, on the other hand, had zero symptoms and it was only because the rest of the family were tested after DD’s diagnosis. See what the GP says but push for a blood test.

Coeliac, Crohns or Colitis should be ruled out.

Thanks @RecyclingSal. Did your DD’s symptoms start suddenly or ramp up over time?

Started suddenly and then got worse. She was bloated, constipated, bouts diarrhoea with nothing but mucus, headaches, tiredness - loads of symptoms! It started when she was 2 and finally diagnosed aged 6 with coeliac. Good luck with the GP, Im not saying it definitely is coeliac but it is worth ruling it out

As others posters have suggested, coeliac, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, etc. The blood could be from a small fissure, possibly, & with the constipation then diarrhoea, it will be starting to heal a little before it tears again. Are there any particular foods that seem to act as a trigger? And stress can be a major factor in IBD flares. I hope the GP appointment goes well, your DD sounds very similar to me at her age - I was diagnosed with Crohn’s at 18, but it was probably active for a couple of years prior. But with GCSEs, then A-Levels, a lot of my symptoms were put down to anxiety.

Endometriosis should also be ruled out. Does the blood occur when she’s on her period, or at different times of month?

I agree with others need to rule out IBD etc.
My daughter had same symptoms and she was diagnosed with crohns.

Don’t let your gp dismiss you, they are not that great with their knowledge on this field.
Your daughter needs to be reffered to the gastro team at your local hospital.

Good luck hope you get answers.

Thank you all, it is very much appreciated. Luckily our GP is lovely and very thorough, so I’m hopeful she’ll take action.

I actually have my DD on my private insurance through work, so we are very fortunate in that we’ll be able to fast track any investigations if needed.

It’s at different times.

I have also wondered about endometriosis, however - not as a result of the gastro issues but because of her very heavy and painful periods.

@Lbet, did your DD start off with sporadic gastro issues too? How did her symptoms develop?

My DC had similar - turned out to be coeliac
history of anxiety and taking an SSRI is apparently relevant

Now that is interesting. She has been on SSRIs for a few years due to severe OCD

Indeed. Interesting link - look up anxiety, SSRI and coeliac
if it turns out to be Coeliac - blood test will give u levels - be careful of GP saying your DD needs to keep consuming gluten prior to formal diagnosis at Gastro -
guidance has been updated and diagnosis can be made on strength of the blood test - so query that

My daughters symptoms were gradual over a year but then became consistent.
She too was coming home from school and sleeping on the sofa night.
Sometimes had fevers at night and she was opening her bowels at least three times a day and it smelt awful.
She never had any stomach pains, she was very pale and suffered mouth ulcers.
Once she was diagnosed and on treatment She became her normal real self again and stayed that way for the last 9 years.