What is happening with my bowels??

[slipperandpjsmum]

I have recently had a sigmoidoscopy, where they found a polyp - biopsy came back clear therefore they say this is not the cause of my symptoms.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing my diarrhea. I have has it for around a year now. Always first thing in the morning with a real sense of urgency. No pain. Previously I had it through the day but that is less frequent now. Sometimes in the evening I pass small pebble type stool (sorry for the detail) which has mucus in.

I am so sick of worrying about this. Please does anyone have anything similiar - can anyone help.

I'm back at the hospital this week to discuss my case.

Cut out gluten for about two weeks and see how you go. You can get gluten free pasta and bread. Try oat crackers and oat based cereals if you need carbs.

Next, get some Actimel and have about 2-3 per day for about a week, then cut down to 1 per day after that.

Avoid, artificial sweeteners - especially in drinks - no fizzy pop at all.

Try to eat a healthy diet and avoid junk and refined foods. Stick to plain stuff with fresh fruit and vegetables.

See if this helps.

How was the sigmoidoscopy I have to have one just waiting for the appointment and bit anxious about it. Sorry can't offer any advice my problems are not like yours hope things get better for you.

Do you think it sounds diet related hidden? Have you had something similar?

Hi Syd Its quick, from walking in to walking out is only about 15 mins. The most uncomfortable part is when they go round the bends! But apart from that its ok. I felt a little shaken afterwards I think because it was all over so quickly. They pump air in and your bowel knows something is in there are is trying to push it out. I was very windy later and my stomach was swollen up. Go home afterwards and relax if your situation allows.

Why are you having it done?

Let me know if I haven't answered everything you wanted to know.

I had something very similiar two years ago. I think I'd been taking too many worming tablets (don't ask). Knocked out the gut bacteria and started some kind of reaction to some of the food I was eating. I'm fine now. It's worth trying the dietary adjustment. One of my colleagues has just found out that she has a problem with wheat - she's 50 and has had to stop eating it because it was leaving her with problems.

I also had a resident (care home) with chronic diarrhoea. It had been going on for months and was making her sore and very unwell. Everyone was nonplussed and couldn't figure out what was causing it. Her family used to bring her sugar free lemonade and that was virtually all she drank. I persuaded everyone to stop giving it to her and gave her a daily Actimel. Within a couple of weeks she was fine

Thanks slipperandpjsmum - sounds like your experience wasn't too bad which is reassuring.

I've posted on here before about my tummy probs which have been ongoing for a good few months now. Mainly bad bloating, constipation and wind but the symptoms are not constant they come and go.

GP thinks irritable bowel but has had me checked out for various things to be sure. Had a scan to rule out ovarian cancer.

Saw the consultant yesterday actually and he tends to lean towards irritable bowel too but because there has been slight blood he recommends a good idea to have the procedure for peace of mind although it is ultimately up to me. Whilst I dread the thought of someone poking around back there, I feel my tummy hasn't been quite right for a while so would be good to get to the bottom of it (pardon the pun!) once and for all.

Hopefully you will get some answers soon and come back and let me know how you get on.

This sounds absolutely like IBS- 15% of the population has it but often not diagnosed.

There is a new diet out to help but you need a dietitian to help you with it- it is for 8 weeks and works on exlcusion to find which foods upset your gut.
You can google FODMAP for infor mation on the diet and your GP should be able to refer you to one of the dietitians who have been trained in this.

syd I found the ovarian cancer examination worst than the other tbh.

amelia can IBS give you a constantly upset stomach? Would I have to cut out carbs as thats may staple diet eat much less protein - only eat chicken and fish but I love potatoes pasta and bread!!

Have you been tested for Helicobacter Pylori? (stomach bacterial infection)

I had some bloods taken would that be one of the tests they run?

The symptoms of IBS are:
any combination of:
Bloating
Diarrhea
Constipation
Wind

Urgency in the morning is classic.
Going several times a day with urgency is classic.

Alternating diarrhea and constipation is common.

Food and drink which often makes it worse are gluten, many carbohydrates, alcohol and coffee.

OP if you are going back to see the consultant ask for a referral to a dietitian within the NHS. If the drs do not know about FODMAP ask them to look at the info on it from Kings College London, and trials carried out at Guys & St Thomas hospitals, London.

IBS isn't a disease in itself, it's just a group of symptoms that may well have different causes in different people. It's not really a diagnosis, just a catch all description of somebody's gut problems.

Yes, it's not a disease but it is a condition. It tends to be diagnosed when other things have been excluded. But this doesn't mean it is not treatable. The diet I've mentioned above has a 75% success rate.
You may wish to look at the info on the kings College website.

www.kingscollege.ac.uk search FODMAP.

I have been back to the hospital today and they are going to carry out colonoscopy in 2 weeks. Has anyone had one? Whats it like?

Hi I had a colonoscopy in January & it wasn't too bad. The worst part is the evil bowel prep stuff you have to drink the day before to clear everything out. The info leaflet said 'stay near a toilet' which actually means 'don't bother going back downstairs when you start to go!!!' I had a sedative to have mine & they did give me some painkiller as I had quite a bit of discomfort going round the corners. it was over in about 30 minutes & the Dr even let me look at the screen which was quite interesting!!

Hope everything goes ok for you.

Good luck with the procedure Slippers.

Interesting you found the ovarian examination worse than the sigmoidoscopy. I didn't think the ovarian one was too bad so that gives me hope as I am a bit of a coward when it comes to these kind of things.

Here's hoping we can all be properly diagnosed.

Good I am glad thats helped Syd its the unknown that can feel scary sometimes can't it.

Have you got your date through yet?

Not yet, I saw the consultant on Monday and he suggested I would be seen within 4-6 weeks so should get the appointment soon I guess. Off on holiday on Saturday so going to not think about it till we get back. Will keep an eye on this thread though and report back! All the best.

I had a colonoscopy recently. I was worried sick beforehand but as usual the anticipation was far worse than the reality. They give you a painkiller and muscle relaxant through a canula in your arm. They said I would be drowsy but I wasn't. No pain- not even what I would class as discomfort.

Hi, colonoscopy sounds far worse than the reality, I'm a wuss and do mine with no sedation/pain relief. All very interesting as you watch on the screen!

The prep is not much fun. Buy vaseline and perhaps moist wipes, a good book and don't plan anything for the day. This would apply to the actual day too, have time set aside to rest, eat nice food and recoup. I would have someone to drive you to the test, and mollycoddle you for the day, as much as the discomfort/pain is shortlived you will feel tired and drawnout.

Mucus is a sign of IBD, not IBS as I understand it. I have both and they are very different things. Mucus can be a sign of inflammation in the intestine, or blisters/sores. I get this from the last part of my small intestine, which is narrowed with crohns inflammation. (I am not saying this is what you have!)

I hope everything goes well, it sounds as though they are looking after you! I am waiting for tests in london to determine my stomach acid levels as I have severe reflux (Linked to the crohns as I get inflammation in my stomach) and have been URGENT on the waiting list for 3.5 mths now!

Best wishes, and keep us updated!!

I agree with peachypossum about the mucus being a symptom of IBD plus the urgency & diarrheoa would also indicate this. I've recently been diagnosed with Crohn's & had all the above symptoms but very little pain until the inflammation was so bad I needed to be hospitalised for IV drugs. I'm not saying this is what you have or what will happen to you- but it is good that you are being checked out properly.

Good luck for your colonoscopy - I really hope you get some answers as the not knowing is the worst part.