Student-Having bowel problems and really concerned

[Hobbes2019]

For about three weeks I’ve been having bowel problems, from constipation to diarrhoea and occasional cramping. I’ve occasionally noticed blood in my stool, and at first put it down to maybe constipation causing tears etc, but now it’s starting to concern me. I’m a student and not registered at my family doctor’s where I’m now living again and it seems getting appointments during this time is proving extremely difficult, added to the fact I don’t want to be wasting any time that GP’s need to spend doing more important things. But I did the typical (stupid) thing of symptom checking online and it seems that my symptoms highly relate to IBS (which I don’t mind so much) but also I have nearly every symptom of bowel/colon cancer and am starting to panic! I was wondering if people had any knowledge in this area, I.e would it hurt to leave it a month or so longer (when hopefully Covid19 has died down) or do I need to urgently get this seen to? thanks for your time. Any response is appreciated. I know I’ve Been an idiot self diagnosing.

Have you had any weight loss? Is there mucous with the diarrhoea? At your age, with bloody diarrhoea it is more likely to be inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis. ( disclaimer I'm a lapsed doctor, so jot an expert but DH has IBD)

It's a tricky Tim's to have a medical problem. Your local GP surgery should take you as a temporary patient. You could make a routine appt. While you're waiting DH managed to dampen early attacks (pre/diagnosis - he thought it was food poisoning ) with probiotics. Oily fish is good too.

Tricky time.

It does usually say that if the blood is red it comes from near the opening and can be caused by a tear or pile. Piles also make the bum area itch. You could try a pile cream and see if that settles it down.
Buscapan can be bought over the counter and might help with the cramps.
Having said this I really would try to get to a gp, but the otc medicines might tide you over Easter.

I’m really skinny as it is so hard to tell but wouldn’t think I’ve lost any weight, at least not noticeably. I don’t know how obvious mucous is but I’ve not noticed any, i don’t bleed all the time. I have noticed it about three or four times in the past three weeks and it’s never loads but sometimes it’ll be in the toilet too. and today I have particularly bad cramping. I have been trying to go to the toilet loads because I never feel like my bowels are completely empty, so I’m thinking the straining could maybe cause a tear? It’s odd because I’m keeping active and eating relatively well. I think I’ll try a few otc things for a couple of weeks because I’d really rather not see a GP at this time, and maybe check in with them in a few weeks If you reckon that wouldn’t be too problematic?

@cathyandclare I’m really skinny as it is so hard to tell but wouldn’t think I’ve lost any weight, at least not noticeably. I don’t know how obvious mucous is but I’ve not noticed any, i don’t bleed all the time. I have noticed it about three or four times in the past three weeks and it’s never loads but sometimes it’ll be in the toilet too. and today I have particularly bad cramping. I have been trying to go to the toilet loads because I never feel like my bowels are completely empty, so I’m thinking the straining could maybe cause a tear? It’s odd because I’m keeping active and eating relatively well. I think I’ll try a few otc things for a couple of weeks because I’d really rather not see a GP at this time, and maybe check in with them in a few weeks If you reckon that wouldn’t be too problematic?

My doctors surgery isn’t any more or less busy just now. Doctors are seconded to the hospital but there are still GPs! Please just make an appointment! X

@AnnaC2020 the issue is re-registering because I’m currently registered with my uni doctor. Considering it’s also something they’d need to look at I’m concerned how successful a video appointment would be when realistically I need to see someone in person. X

As the previous poster said, I would call your GP. I had to call my surgery the other day about a very run of the mill problem, a dr rang me back for a telephone appt within the hour, and issued the relevant prescription to collect. Your concerns would entirely justify a telephone appt. All the best.

I have a fissure and when it opens the blood drips into the loo, bright red. It's really painful and alarming.

But noone on the internet can help you. Speak to the NHS on 111, they will help with the health issue and the doctor appointment. All GPs will see anyone, you can see them as a visitor, take ID, preferably a passport. I went to one near my sister a few years ago, it wasn't even her GP as she was registered somewhere further away so I went to the one nearest her and it was fine.