OK, so this is going to be quite long so bear with me. Also I'm sorry about the correlation to my username!
I have been to the GP today which was the first available appointment I could get when I phoned about 3 weeks ago.
I made the appointment as I have been having very loose stools for months now but has been getting progressively worse. I originally went to GP in March/April time of this year and had blood tests, and stool samples. Heard nothing further so assumed all clear. No real improvement but I kind of lived with loose stools as my new "normal"
In August of this year it got worse, more frequent and more urgent, with more accompanying discomfort. Over the last few weeks it's become quite debilitating, I am woken every morning by my bowels and there have been a couple of occasions where I haven't made it to the loo in time. Earliest it has been is 4am but usually around 6- 6:30.
Other pertinent stuff, I'm 47, had hysterectomy and both ovaries out about 3 years ago (keyhole for ovaries, vaginal hyst)
So today GP just palpated abdomen and asked questions, he found a spot that was uncomfortable rather than painful but said he could feel something and it was almost certainly related to previous surgery.
He explained about adhesions and thinks this is most likely what's causing the trouble. He has requested an ultrasound and wants to see me in a month, he's also asked me to keep a diary of food eaten and symptoms.
To be honest I'm feeling a bit down, there's a part of me that was really hoping to walk out today with a prescription and start feeling better soon ( I know!)
I've turned down a nice weekend with family recently because of how I've been, really don't want to be away from my own bathroom while I'm like this and I'm lucky in that I work from home but it's still very restricting. The stools are always 3- 4 times in morning with occasional afternoon ones but feel like I need to go a lot more often, struggling to pass wind and when I do it doesn't relieve that "pressure" feeling.
Some days are better than others, but on bad days I'm scared to eat. I haven't lost weight, I don't have scales but my trousers and skirts are tighter, so suspect have put a few pounds on. My face however looks quite gaunt and frankly I look a bit shit, caught sight of myself in the mirror the other day and thought I looked a lot older :(
Any positive stories from anyone else with similar? Just feeling really down about getting through the next few weeks, I know I've made a start by seeing GP but just feeling sorry for myself!