IBD?

[lougle]

I used to have perfect bowels before having DC. DH used to call me 'teflon bowels' because I was a once per day, no issues girl, and he has a tendency to constipation.

I started having some mucous in my stools about 2 years ago, and when I told the GP, she said 'Oh that sounds like IBS(C)'. Nothing more was said.

It's got gradually worse over the last year or so, so that mucous was visible around stools, and then sometimes in the toilet pan. I sometimes passed just mucous. Sometimes orange, pale brown, light brown, green, or off-white with blood mixed throughout it. When I pass stools there is sometimes visible blood streaked through it. I don't think it's 'on' it, because it doesn't discolour the water. I sometimes have a slight tear if I pass a large stool, and that is clearly different, because there will be fresh blood on the toilet paper and some blood drops into the pan.

It's significantly worsened over the last month, to the point that I've developed a degree of urgency, and increased number of motions in the day. Several will be just liquid/mucous and gas. Tonight, I had a motion of light brown liquid, two small solid stools, then 30 minutes later, a motion of off-white mucous with blood mixed throughout it.

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be? I do take Naproxen about 2-3 times per week (prescribed), but also take omeprazole (prescribed) as gut cover. If I go to the GP, is it best to take a sample with me, rather than wait for them to ask for one? I presume they'll need one.

I'd see the gp first, could always take a photo but stool samples need to be fresh and sent off at a particular time with a form akin to a blood form so best get that if required then pop your sample in to the receptionist with the completed form when you've done it (from experience I recommend fashioning a boat from tin foil, then using the tiny shovel provided to get the sample in the tube).
You don't mention pain, are you in any? If no pain I'd guess your gut is irritated by the naproxen thought I'm not a healthcare professional. I do have crohn's though, and the pain of a flare is worse than contractions!

Get yourself to the GP. You need a gastroenterology referral. Sounds like crohns or colitis to me (I have colitis)

You will need an examination, which is unpleasant but necessary. Not least to rule out anything more sinister, don't worry too much, it sounds very like IBD to me.

A positive is that while IBS is diagnosed by ruling out everything else, IBD has visible symptoms.

NACC are very good for info and support. Be aware that it is a disability under employment law, so if you are diagnosed and need some adjustments at work they need to accommodate you, within reason.

I'm sorry you're going through this, it's hard.

Thanks for the replies. No pain, which is a good thing, I presume? I have urgency, but no pain except crampy feelings and the feeling that I haven't fully emptied my bowels when I go to the toilet.

I've been to the GP. Showed her a small sample. She examined me and said I haven't got any masses (good, and expected). Generally tender across the lower abdomen, but not painful, when examined. She's referring to Gastro, and said it's possible she may be able to use 2 week wait due to blood in stools, but isn't sure. I'm doing a sample for fecal procalprotectin and blood for inflammatory markers.

Good luck. I was referred on a 2ww, scary but better than waiting longer.

I had a phonecall today. They've given me an appointment under the two-week wait protocol. I could have had 8th March, but it wasn't suitable due to the location of the hospital and childcare, so I have the 13th March in the morning. I handed in my sample this morning and had bloods taken, so I should know more within two weeks.

Can you swap the naproxen for something else or at least cut back on it..? Hope the hospital checks go well for you..

I only take 2-3 tablets per week, and not every week. I'm prescribed 14 tablets per week. So I'm down to a very low dose. It's really only when my head is very bad. I have completely cut them out over the last two weeks. The GP felt that with the omeprazole on board, it wasn't likely to be the issue, but it could be.

Part of the advice I have been given for UC is to avoid all NSAIDs. Even if the naproxen isn't the cause it could be aggravating it. I do appreciate needing to relieve pain though, I've got some joint issues but have been given strong cocodamol and was told they would explore opiates/morphine if cocodamol wasn't enough. Could GP give you some non NSAID pain relief instead?

This sounds identical to the issues I was having. Went through every test imaginable (countless blood tests, rectal examinations, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, stool samples etc). Saw a gastroenterologist a few times at the hospital. Nothing came of it and he just diagnosed me with bad IBS. I’ve had to drastically alter my diet (such a pain as I used to be a massive foody) but I no longer get the mucous or blood now or have to go more than twice a day now. My stools look completely normal now too. I still get the bloating and gas but it’s not as bad

This is helpful, thanks. Codeine is bad for headaches because it causes rebounds, but there may be alternatives. I try to ride out my migraines if they're not too severe, because I get so many, and I can sometimes get them to an acceptable roar with using 4head and doing nothing, which isn't ideal, but avoids drug stacking.

I'm going to keep a food/drug/migraine/bowel diary over the next couple of weeks, to see if there is any pattern.

Definitely a diary is a good idea, try to identify patterns. FODMAP diet is a good elimination diet too but probably best read up on it for now and hold off starting it until you've had advice. However when I heard that garlic, onion and mushrooms are terrible for people with ibd it was a lightbulb moment! I've cut all three out and feel much better with very little bloating now.
Your fecal calprotectin level will be interesting but a low level doesn't mean no issues unfortunately- it's not a fool proof test.
Best of luck

Have you tried Triptans for the migraines? My doctor has recently prescribed Zolmitriptan for mine and it has made such a difference.

Yes, I'm on triptans and have Botox.

I really struggle with anything leafy - salad, cabbage, spinach etc. And peas. I think it's different for everyone.

My faecal Calprotectin has come back as 'unrecordably high' (>6000). The GP said normal is 0-50. So there is definitely something wrong.

I have (or had) the same symptoms as you virtually to the letter and was diagnosed with proctitis. Which is ulcerative colitis that is just in the rectum. I had awful awful bleeding and mucus but that was easily sorted with meds and now it’s just an occasional annoyance. So please be reassured that awful symptoms don’t always mean awful prognosis.

NSAIDs def make it worse by the way despite omeprazole. For me anyway.

Thanks. I've stopped taking Naproxen.

Oh I'm sorry lougle

It's all about a diagnosis and then the specialist and you figuring out what diet and or drugs work for you personally now.

I went to the one-stop clinic today, but the Dr said my FC was so high that he wanted to do a full colonoscopy instead of the flexi-sig that they do at that clinic. So he's booked that and I'll get a date for 2-3 weeks' time.

Can I join you? Had similar symptoms for the last month and have scared myself silly after researching my symptoms
Just got my bloods back which show high levels of inflammation and point to IBD so I've also been referred for urgent investigation.

Hi, yes, please do join I hope you hear something soon. I've got a date for colonoscopy. 12th April.

There are various options for drugs when you have flex-sig, from nothing to GA. Don't know if they are the same for colonoscopy but would imagine they are.
I would strongly advise you have sedation at the very least.
Whilst people who have 'normal' tissue in their gut will tell you it's uncomfortable but not awful, please remember that they are looking to see if your gut is ulcerated and inflamed, and therefore very sensitive. They have to inflate with air to be able to see, and it puts stress and pressure on the sore places.
I had my last one under GA, and would not do any different in the future. I also found GA easier to get over than the sedation.

Thanks. I've got my first appointment next Weds. I assume they will just be going through my symptoms then before deciding what to do next.