Is this IBS?

[JustWantCake]

Firstly apologies for this poo related post.

A good while now I've been suffering with stomach bloating and cramping along with my bowles flip flopping between constipation and diarrhoea and I never quite feel like I've fully emptied. Sometimes the urgency to go is high and sudden and whilst often I do mange to poo sometimes nothing actually comes out and I'm left in does a limbo.
Now for past 2 years I've also had frequent blood in my poo. I did go GP once and he dismissed me saying it's something that happens sometimes and not to worry etc.
Lately I've also been really tired and had weight loss but tbf I have a 1 year old who still night wakes.
Could this all be IBS? Reason I wonder is my colleague and I got talking as she has IBS and it does sound bit like what she suffers with. Do I need to go GP about having IBS or just buy the over the counter stuff?
Thanks x

It could be IBS. Passing blood is not a normal symptom of IBS though, unless it has caused piles or a fissure.

Did the GP perform a rectal examination or any other tests?

These symptoms need to be followed up as they could be something more serious. IBS should only be diagnosed once other conditions have been excluded.

Thanks for your reply. Nope he didn't do anything other than say not to worry and probably is just piles. I don't really feel like it's piles though (I've had piles during and post pregnancy so know what that's like!) Maybe it's time I go back to GP then. I have moved surgeries so least it be a different GP

Yes, you should definitely make an appointment. Weight loss, change in bowel habits and passing blood should be enough to warrant a referral for a colonoscopy.

Oh no that wouldn't be great! Not sure if i feel great about that. Do I need one of those for diagnosis of IBS?

Well no, they're not exactly something people do for fun

Yes, ideally you would have one for an IBS diagnosis because they ought to rule out all the more serious conditions first.

I know people don't do them for fun just I know how horrid they are as my mum had one so really don't like the thought of it at all, especially now being able to eat of drink for 24 hours like she did. Think I'd pass out

I had all of those exact symptoms (other then the weight loss) and I had a rectal exam and was referred to a gastro dr at the hospital who then sent me off for a colonoscopy. Everything came back normal and I’ve been diagnosed with IBS and piles. Your doctor sounds useless! If you are bleeding and having weight loss then you need further investigations! Blood tests, rectal exam and a scope exam

Thanks Frosty, hoping your IBS is all nicely managed now. Hopefully just the weight loss is linked to lack of sleep from 1 year old. God knows about the bleeding though, it isn't a lot though and not in every poop

You could have internal piles. That’s why they need to give you a scope and a rectal exam. It’s unpleasant but please push your doctor for these to put your mind at rest otherwise you’ll always be wandering “what if” about sinister things.
buscopan helps my IBS so much. It stops me feeling generally unwell when it’s flaring up. I also take peppermint oil capsules and turmeric capsules which help with the bloats. I don’t cut any food out of my diet but I really limit things like chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, spicy stuff and raw fruit and veg. If I’m having any of those then i’ll stick to a small quantity or i’ll Swell up and feel awful. Hope you feel better soon

Weight loss and bleeding warrants a Colonoscopy, yes they are grim I've had 3, but very necessary with your symptoms. Very surprised your GP hasn't arranged this already.

Thank you both. I'll book myself in for next week then to see the GP.

So as a way of an update, saw the DR yesterday who is referring me straight to the cancer unit as an emergency didn't think it happened like that but the I don't even know what I was expecting anyway.

(Apologies for name change confusion, TwittleBee and JustWantCake are both me)

Yes if you have any of the "red flag" symptoms then you will be referred quickly. It doesn't necessarily mean that they think cancer is the most likely diagnosis (did your GP give any indication of what they thought?) but obviously they want to rule that out first.

Hopefully you'll get an appointment very soon so you can get some answers

Thank you WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo

After doing an examination, getting bloods and taking down all the symptoms he said he felt like it was the most likely cause if I wasn't only 24 years old. But he said I might as well start preparing myself for the worse as I'll be facing some uncomfortable examinations/procedures all in the cancer department soon.

Really trying hard to hold it all together as got a 14 month old to look after but I am struggling as i hate to think of him growing up without remembering me.

Also wondering if this actually explains why we have been struggling to conceive.

Hopefully he is wrong, but yes it is better to be prepared. You can join us on the cancer support thread if you'd like. Anyone who is having tests is welcome :) there's a few of us with bowel cancer.

Thank you WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo I shall take a look. Need some support that's for sure