Blood in stool and tummy pain

[Ribbon14]

Hi all,

i've had tummy troubles on and off for about 6 years. About 3 years ago it was very bad (bad cramping especially in the morning, loose bowel movements all the time and some blood). I had this checked out and was told it was just ibs. Since then I have been on/off ill having periods of months where I have relatively few symptoms and normal bowel movements then suddenly it will switch back to me having bad pain and cramping and loose bowel movements.

I have been bad again with it for the past 6 months or so but in the last month it has got worse again and have got bad pain, very liquid bowel movements (sorry tmi) and have seen blood splattered in the toilet. I'm feeling very worried about what's going on but have been repeatedly to gp in the past about this and just get dismissed (have had blood tests and stool samples before). Does it sound like just ibs or should I ask to be checked again? I also have other symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, gassiness and aches and pains but these could be unrelated.

Thanks

I’m sorry your GP isn’t following this up, they definitely should be.
FWIW, i have intermittant pain, and when i had blood in stools (no loose stools though) i was sent for a colonoscopy which found and removed polyps. They were biopsied and found non-cancerous, but they recur so i go for an annual colonoscopy now to remove them. So not scary, but (literally) a pain the arse. Hope that reassures a little.

Thanks for your reply. Tbh not sure why I've never been referred for a colonoscopy given my symptoms. I had a bad episode last year where i could only pass mucus but had rectal examination, blood tests and stool sample which were all clear and then I was fine. So I guess i've just dismissed it as ibs. Certain foods seem to trigger symptoms but i'm not sure a food intolerance could cause the blood unless that's just from a small tear from repeated loo trips?!

Op, not a medic but if I was you I would insist on a colonoscopy or CT scan. You’ll know for sure then. I have history of bowel cancer in my family & your symptoms would be a cause of concern to me if I was in your shoes. It could all be fine but without a colonoscopy/ CT you won’t know for sure.

Thanks. My symptoms at the moment are bad cramps/gas every morning with repeated toilet trips and blood some of the time. Seen the dr today who thinks it's an infection but I'm not so sure.. have to do a stool sample but won't know results for a week. It seems a bit strange that the symptoms are worst in the mornings

If you can ask that an additional stool sample is sent for calprotectin then that screens for IBD

I would really insist on a colposcopy, even just to rule out anything sinister. Really push for it.

Thanks. I've been screened for IBD before via the stool test. I've had ultrasounds too.. it's all just not really making sense. Latest episode seems to have been brought on by very spicy food and onions that didn't agree with me

I went to the GP with similar symptoms and was referred for a colonoscopy even though I’m only 33. Nothing was found and it’s been put down to piles and ibs but it’s good to be sure there’s nothing sinister

Poor you. Definitely push for more tests as IBS shouldn't really be causing blood loss as you describe. Blood could be for many reasons inc fissure, piles, polyps, ulcerative colitis etc etc.

Thanks everyone. I suddenly had painful cramps again just now and only liquid came out (sorry tmi) and it was kind of pinky coloured? My tummy is hurting again now... I don;t know whether to just go to walk in/hospital. Feeling quite worried and depressed now and just want to know what's wrong

I don't want to worry you but I would seriously insist on them further investigating this.
My gran died this morning from an infection she's had in her bowel for a few months, she didn't know the infection was there and just put her stomach pain and bad toilet trips down to trapped wind etc.. the infection had been left untreated for so long her bowel became gangrene and resulted in gangrene gas that has just poisoned her whole body.
She too lost blood when going to the toilet and had loose movements and stomach pain.
Please please go and get checked out and insist on the doctor sending you for a colonoscopy. I don't want anyone else to have missed symptoms and to suffer with something similar 

:( so sorry to hear about your gran. I'm worried now..

Thank you.
I didn't want to alarm you but if she had sought help for her symptoms then she would still be here now. Obviously you have tried several times and it's not your fault the doctors aren't helping you but I would definitely try and be more pushy and forceful with it 

I have had what sounds like v similar symptoms to you off and on over the years for last 15 years or so.

Was referred to a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with proctitis which is a mild form of colitis - an autoimmune disease. It's treated (to go into remission usually for minimum 6-18 months ) with steroid suppositories or enemas.

Recently my joints have started hurting and I was referred to a rheumatologist. Turns out it's actually my ligaments that are painful and it is v common with those that have colitis/proctitis. Am now taking oral steroids in order to push this symptom into remission and currently feel totally normal.

Good luck whatever it is it's miserable, but def push for a referral to a gastroenterologist first for a colonoscopy.

I have Crohns your symptoms are the same as mine especially the fatigue

As you have been symptomatic for over 3 weeks, in your shoes I would be pressing for a referral for colonoscopy. Having one bowel condition does not mean that others cannot arise. And NHS published advice is that diarrhoea which does not resolve in 3 weeks should be checked.

Thanks everyone. I've sent off a stool sample today but won't get the results until next week. I'm not really sure what to do in the meantime... I feel ok in myself and am eating normally but am still getting very bad urges for the toilet and having very loose bowel movements that sometimes have blood. I did have an internal haemorrhoid before so don't know if it could be this again or something else.. should I get seen again or just wait for the results next week?

Hi @Ribbon14

How did you get on?

So blood tests showed raised inflammatory markers. Having another stool test done to look for inflammation and being referred for sigmoidoscopy. Am so worried. I'm only 25 but can't stop thinking this could be cancer. Am also equally worried about it being colitis or crohns and how I will cope. I have severe anxiety so am finding all this really difficult. The weird thing is my tummy is only really bad in the morning and then the rest of the day I feel fine. When my Dr felt my stomach, no pain at all but then in the evening it comes back gassy and uncomfortable again. Does anyone have similar experiences? Or any kind words of reassurance. Am struggling to function because of the worry.

I suffered from horrendous stress last year due to family stuff, my mum was diagnosed terminally ill, work was horrendous. I wasn't sleeping well, constant tummy pain, sometimes being sick but all the symptoms you describe. I genuinely thought I was dying or had some horrendous illness like cancer. It was all anxiety and stress related. Don't underestimate what stress and anxiety can do to you physically. I genuinely did not believe it could be 'just' anxiety, the mind is powerful and creates real and horrible physical symptoms. I totally understand why you are so worried, I hope I provide some level of comfort but I know your mind will be racing. After some food changes, more exercise,less rushing around and some anti-anxiety meds things are much better. I still suffer occasionally but not daily or every other day anymore. Try not to worry 

Sorry, should have added I cut out dairy, wheat and gluten (not easy!) but that also helped. I now eat clean, no processed foods, all freshly made, is it possible it's a food intolerance? I was told you can develop them at any time, but particularly if you're stressed. I follow a mainly Palaeolithic diet.

I have suffered from a lot of stress and anxiety but I'm not sure that those things would cause the blood and raised inflammatory markers :( i'm just scared for all the tests I have to have done

Hi,
Sorry to hear you going through this. It sounds a lot like colitis - but don't stress about it too much as yes, stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms (not cause it generally but cause/worsen it in susceptible individuals. Avoid eating stuff that you find hard to digest for now e.g. raw greens, milk etc.

I think you'll know better once you've had an colonoscopy but problem with NHS is everything has a waiting list and they take you through numerous repeats of the same/similar tests before they let you get a colonoscopy but make sure to keep pushing them for it.

Don't be too worried - there's lots of treatments for this out there and try upping your vitamin D if needed and keep a check on your iron levels with all the blood less (could risk causing anemia, especially if you are a female due to menstrual blood loss additionally)

Hi there

A few years ago I had similar and stool samples came back as high calprotectin. I was worried sick it was cancer or ibd. Went for colonoscopy and it was completely clear and the consultant said sometimes it can raise slightly after a stomach bug and/or ibs. I was told I had ibs.

What I would say though is you would be better asking for a colonoscopy as that checks all round your bowel where are the sigmoidoscopy only goes so far. Just so you can get full peace of mind.

Thank you so much. That's reassuring. What symptoms did you have? Did they settle down? Yes it probably is worth getting the full colons copy, I just suffer from severe anxiety and am worried about coping with it especially the prep beforehand. What was your experience with it?