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Original poster

Scared I have UC or Chrones

60 replies

Sienna333 · 24/11/2017 15:24

Had stomach waves of cramps, migraine, diarrhoea (Which turned bloody for a few days then returned to 'normal' diarrhoea) a few weeks ago. I am now slowly getting back on track but do still have to be careful what I eat and bum still feels weird (Like a bubble has got stuck). Stool sample came back normal and I am not in pain but am worried this was a first real flare up of ulcerative colitis or chrones or even worse anal cancer. Does it suddenly come on like this and can go away on its own? My doctor thinks I may have had food poisoning originally which can cause blood in stools.

OP posts:
BeeMyBaby · 26/11/2017 22:33

From NHS 24s website:
anal fissure – a small tear in the skin of the anus, which can be painful as the skin is very sensitive. The blood is usually bright red and the bleeding soon stops. You may feel like you need to keep passing stools, even when your bowel is empty. It often heals on its own within a few weeks

Perhaps it was this as it matches the symptoms? Maybe you can check with the GP and see if they agree to put your mind at ease?

BeeMyBaby · 26/11/2017 22:33

Sorry for the double post!

Wolfiefan · 26/11/2017 22:35

Yes. It's the health anxiety you need to deal with. If you don't then no amount of testing will reassure you.
Can you call GP tomorrow?

Original poster
Sienna333 · 26/11/2017 22:51

I don't think it was an anal fissure as it was painless. I never heard of anyone getting blood with food poisoning. When my boss heard (I had to tell him the details) he was highly shocked and said no stomach bug or infection should cause that. It just ramps up the anxiety.

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Original poster
Sienna333 · 26/11/2017 22:54

I did tell the GP at the time about the bleeding but said it had stopped aftre a few days. She didn't even blink and didn't seem concerned/suggest further tests at all which was weird. I thought blood in stools for any amount of time (Even a couple of days like I had) was a major cause for concern. I am not happy with any of the doctors at my surgery and am contemplating changing surgeries.

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Wolfiefan · 26/11/2017 22:55

STOP
You need to see the GP about your health anxiety. Changing surgeries won't help. More tests won't help. Even posting here won't help.

sillysausage16 · 26/11/2017 23:06

Hi, as someone who has suffered from terrible health anxiety in the past and who is only recently coming out of a horrific relapse from having a few health problems one after the other (h pylori, uti and knackered sacroiliac joint) I beg you to go to the doctors and tell them how you are feeling. My gp has been fantastic with me and I've went back into velafaxine which is very good for anxiety

sillysausage16 · 26/11/2017 23:10

I also went on a google rampage of symptoms and NOTHING good can come of it. Absolutely everything can be a symptom of cancer etc and I actually willed myself to have physical symptoms. Now that my medication is taking effect I can see how irrational my thought patterns were and the symptoms have gradually faded aswell. Please please go for help because I know how absolutely terrifying it is

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 26/11/2017 23:16

No advice really but if it help reassure you, to add I have UC, and do you know much it affects my life?
Not very much.
I had a serious flare up once, as in lots of bleeding, had steroids, took a little while to shift but it was ok in the end
I have small amounts of intermittent bleeding every now and then.
I realise this isn't the case for everyone with this condition, but even if you did have UC, it might not cause you illness and pain every day.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 26/11/2017 23:20

I can't just stop I am afraid Wolfie, that's not how it works.
I want to be rational but the anxiety stops that from happening. It is absolutely terrifying. I will stop posting however as I don't want to be annoying.

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Wolfiefan · 26/11/2017 23:23

So do something about the actual problem which is the anxiety.
Call the GP. Get help. Start to make changes.
Anxiety is shit. It will rule your life and ruin your every waking moment if you let it. Trust me. I know!
Make a call. Start the change.
Imagine not being ruled by this. Not going round in circles. What if? But what about? How?
I know. You can't imagine it now. But you can get there.
Please seek treatment. For the anxiety.

Bumdishcloths · 26/11/2017 23:54

You are going round in circles, and as you are aware, that is not helpful.

Crohns and UC are hugely debilitating illnesses. What you have described sounds like gastro or food poisoning which has irritated the bowel and caused bloody stools. I've had salmonella before and it was vile, and I got it from eating unwashed salad.

Make an appointment with your GP to discuss your anxiety and your anxiety ALONE. You need treatment for that, not for a bowel issue which has largely resolved.

Silvercatowner · 27/11/2017 06:52

A friend of mine had bacterial food poisoning in the summer - her symptoms were very similar to yours and lasted for ages. She still isn't completely better but is almost there.

LEMtheoriginal · 27/11/2017 07:21

It is difficult to post in this thread but I managed to read it so I will. I suffer from. Health anxiety as well as generalised anxiety and it has pretty much stolen my life.

You do realise that your symptoms are probably that of anxiety ? Especially the unfinished feeling and discomfort. Your adrenalin levels will be elevated and this makes the gut more active so you may well be reacting to certain foods more because your bowel is already on high alert as it were.

One thing you can do is use this as s push to eat healthily and maybe keep a food diary. I find fatty foods disagree with me

This is partly due to gall bladder removal but also anxiety plays a massive role. I am highly anxious at the moment and my bowels reflect this. Coffee is also a massive trigger for cramping and diarrieah.

Do talk to your Dr. This is very common and no shame in it. Help is out there and you don't have to live like this Flowers

Original poster
Sienna333 · 27/11/2017 07:36

Silvercatowner I wish it was something as simple as bacterial food poisioning but I don't think so as it was so severe and went on so long with bleeding. Since I had it I have been in tears over the fact it may be-

  1. Bowel cancer
  2. Anal cancer
  3. Ischemic coltis
  4. Diverticulitis
  5. UC
  6. Chrones
  7. Pancreatic cancer
  8. Ovarian cancer
  9. MS
10. Overactive thyroid 11. Severe case of IBS 12. Severe food intolerance

Even now I am still worried I have UC/Chrones but also diverticulitis which has sent me into a panic as I know you can get various ongoing attacks.

I know. I am bat*t crazy :(

I have never had anxiety about health before but I wouldn't wish it on anyone, it is terrifying.

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Kaylasmum49 · 27/11/2017 07:45

I understand how you're feeling, I have HA and have been going through this latest episode for 15 months now and it has taken over my life. It has changed me and i'm not enjoying life right now, I just struggle through every single day.

My focus is also my bowels and the more I worry the worse it becomes. HA has raken so much from me, my granddaughter was born just at the beginning of this episode and its taken the joy out of a happy event.

I am on my 3rd round of cbt and desperately want to overcome this. Please ask your gp to be referred for the anxiety, dont let this strip you of your happiness.

Graceadlerdesigns · 27/11/2017 12:04

Sienna no one herr can tell you if you have any of those things. Statiscally it is very unlikely.

What we can do is advise you to see a go for health anxiety.

There is a reason your gp didn't bat an eyelid- because it is a very common health complaint. Unpleasant and something thst should be checked out but it is very common.

Please see someone for your health anxiety.

CremeFresh · 27/11/2017 12:20

One of our consultants says that diverticulitis is like grey hair - lots and lots of people have it with no symptoms at all. I have proctitis, which is UC of the rectum, I have flare ups but treat them with suppositories.

I agree that you really need to address your anxiety , you don't have to let it rule your life, take some control and go and see your GP. And stop googling!

sillysausage16 · 27/11/2017 16:56

As someone put it to me. Google is not a doctor and if everyone could tell what was wrong with them by using a search engine there would be no doctors

Silvercatowner · 27/11/2017 20:19

something as simple as bacterial food poisioning

Bacterial food poisoning can be symptomless but can also kill. Campylobacter, salmonella, listeria - all of these can cause the symptoms you describe. Cholera also can but I doubt you have that. It is far more likely that you have had some sort of food poisoning, particularly as you are recovered.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 27/11/2017 20:40

It wouldn't cause bloody poo though I don't think. This bubble feeling in my bum is really worrying me. Had it a couple of days now. Trying not to google too much.

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Silvercatowner · 27/11/2017 21:29

Yes, it can.

Graceadlerdesigns · 27/11/2017 22:21

Sienna... see your gp! Posting here is not the solution and neither is google.

Wolfiefan · 27/11/2017 22:52

Instead of googling or posting on here about Crohns etc you need to focus on the anxiety itself. Use your energy against that.
Call the GP. But about the health anxiety. It won't get better until you seek help. For the anxiety.
If you have to google then Google mindfulness or techniques to cope with health anxiety or anxiety.
That's the problem you actually have.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 28/11/2017 18:59

Someone on another forum said they did think I was seriously ill as I had weeks of diarrhoea then constipation now a bubble, quite sore feeling in my bum. I won't post anymore here or there but not everyone thinks I am well.

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