Hand hold...asked to repeat stool sample... stomach problems... thought it was IC and IBS

[testingtesting101]

Hi all, I have had stomach problems for ages but recently they got worse (pain moving around, alternating loose and hard stools), wind, and finally pain at the end of peeing which seemed to be related to the pain. Definitely worse with bread/gluten. I am 48 and really suffering with the perimenopause and thought it might be related.

In any case, I had some bloods which are apparently all ok... but have just been asked to repeat a stool sample I gave last week. The receptionist couldn't tell me why but I am pretty scared (no weight loss or blood that I could see in my stools though).

Has anyone else been through this? Are stool tests ever inconclusive/no results could be obtained, rather than finding anything sinister?

Am not usually someone who needs a handhold but the past 6 months, plus losing my mother has made me very anxious....

Hey there. I've never had to give a stool sample but I know that when my relative gave one that wasn't good, they proceeded straight to colonoscopy. They didn't mess around waiting for another sample to make sure.

(Just to put your mind at ease slightly, said relative had a polyp which was then removed, no further issues.)

I'm just guessing but probably something went wrong with the testing. I once had to go back for a second smear test because they'd stuffed up the first sample. The second sample was fine and no issues found.

I haven’t had to repeat a sample but they probably lost it in the confusion of Covid-paused services restarting up and them being busy so I wouldn’t worry.

Re the pain, I had that pain thing too related to bloating related to eating foods that caused ibs.

I stopped eating the foods I blamed and it improved significantly and no more pain on peeing (which I think was due to the swelling being pressed upon by my pee when it expanded the pee tubes (don’t know terminology) inside me from bladder to exit point.

Try the FODMAP diet to work out what’s causing your problems and avoid trigger foods and you’ll feel so much better.

Sorry about your Mum

Thanks so much Elieza and Lucy, hopefully it's nothing (and reassuring to hear that you had similar pain Elieza that resolved). Feel like I am at the limit of my stress levels at the moment!

And the stress alone will have your guts in knots!

Once you work out what not to eat you will feel a lot more comfortable. I looked 8 months pregnant side on when I was bloated, it was awful. PS similar age to you, peri, can’t eat much veg now or I get the pains and runs. My pal is the same. Must be hormonal.

Thanks, yes hopefully that will be it. I did have a three week period where it went away which suggests it's not something terrible, and so much stress this year on top of the whole pandemic including 2 house moves too as well as losing my mum. Horribly hormonal too, it's never ending. Not in pain today though which is reassuring but finding it very hard not to let anxiety spin off.