Bowel problems & health anxiety

[Aloneinacrowd70]

Last summer I had terrible health anxiety about a few different issues. Part of this was around bowel movements - they became much looser and I had terrible wind. GP did blood tests which were all fine; and thought it was all connected to my anxiety. I felt this was probably the case too, as my anxiety does seem to trigger loose bowels. Anyway, it was still going on in September so GP (reluctantly as she thought it was anxiety) referred me for a colonoscopy.

I have finally got the letter for an appointment and now I'm wondering whether to go. Since last September, once I accepted the bowel issue was probably anxiety (and the other issue went away), my bowels settled down, and haven't really caused me much problems since. However, over the last week, I've had a bit of a resurgence of the loose bowels. Not sure what to do. I know just going to the appointment will cause me massive anxiety and part of me thinks there's no need now...Any advice? I was thinking of phoning my GP this week to see what she thinks. (I haven't seen her since Sept so haven't reported that everything settled down for 4 months or so)

Thanks, Otters. I am on a 6 month waiting list for CBT, and have been trying mindfulness and it really has seemed to have helped. Haven't gone down the medication route yet but that's an option.

Have you been stressed about anything this last week? If so then it's likely that it's triggered your loose bowels and therefore you don't need the appointment. No point adding to your anxiety!!
Well done on accepting that it was anxiety causing the issue originally - that's half the battle and will help the issue ongoing as you won't be stressing about that too.

What are you eating? Check that out too. It could be the food, or something in the food.

I just phoned about the appt (the letter was to ask me to contact them to make an appt) and in fact the waiting list could be as long as a further 6 months! (I guess I'm not urgent, but still that will mean it could be nearly a year from referral to being seen!) So I'll stay on the waiting list and try and put it out my mind until then and focus on dealing with the anxiety. I saw a CPN a few months ago for an assessment for CPD and he recommended a fantastic book for anxiety which I have found really helpful. (The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris, if anyone's interested).

Please keep the appointment as then at least other issues will be ruled out. I was told I had IBS due to anxiety for years but after weeks of fecal incontinence last year I went to my GP. I had more detailed and thorough tests which showed I've got a whole range of things going on with my guts, and it's becoming more manageable due to medication and a change of diet.

*CBT, not CPD!