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Month 4 of diarrhoea

13 replies

KittenOfWoe · 29/07/2020 20:18

Evening all. Can I pick your collective brains please?
I started feeling ropey back in March, pre-lockdown. Started with diarrhoea most evenings and sometime mid-afternoon too, weird timing. Lots of bloating and abdomimal cramps, wind and generally feeling rubbish. Random dark green poo two days in a row as a one-off too. Keep getting that weird popping feeling in my tummy too (def not pg, before you ask!).
I've had ibs before so put it all down to that, despite it feeling different than before. Previous triggers have been stress and overdoing the caffeine, I've no known food triggers and never thought I had a food issue tied to this.
Some days I'll be fine, some not. Sometimes I'll be really happy and bright and then the urgency hits me, so I can't tell if it's stress/mood related! But right now I'm so, so fed up. Happening most evenings.
I eventually mentioned it to the docs a month ago, and so far I've had stool samples and blood tests checked for: signs of infection, inflammation, anaemia, coeliac, diabetes, kidney and liver function, thyroid, and all came back clear. Hormones are being rerun at the moment as borderline (suspected early menopause - still get occasional bleeds but so randomised and far apart it's impossible to guess cycle stage), to see if related to menopause.
In the meantime I've cut out: cruciferous veg, caffeine, sorbitol and similar artificial sweeteners, dried pasta, spice, processed potato, wholewheat, avoiding the skin on some veg and fruit, have cut down on dairy and fat, and am keeping a food diary. No change (barring a minor but much needed weightloss as I can't eat the house any more!).

I don't know what to do any more. Got a docs follow up call on Monday but not sure what to say/ask any more. Any ideas what the f is going on?!

OP posts:
PandaGreen · 29/07/2020 20:22

I don't know but I found the FODMAP diet helpful to get on top of my IBS.

Saturdayrabbit42 · 29/07/2020 20:31

May be worth considering a colonoscopy if not already done...good to talk to your doctor re this...good luck x

KittenOfWoe · 29/07/2020 22:03

Thanks love. Do you find it very restrictive? Trying a lot of it all in one go and don't know if it's too much or if I'm supposed to cut one thing out at a time. It's been best part if a week so far and no change...

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KittenOfWoe · 29/07/2020 22:05

@Saturdayrabbit42

May be worth considering a colonoscopy if not already done...good to talk to your doctor re this...good luck x
Thanks, I fear that might be on the cards.

I'm just a bit worried the doc will just say it's hormones or suggest a strict FODMAP route and wash her hands of me. I feel so confused and depressed...

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Throughabushbackwards · 29/07/2020 22:10

Do you think it might be Covid OP? There are people experiencing long term GI symptoms after contracting the virus.

GiraffeHat · 29/07/2020 22:21

Not wanting to scare you OP, and I'm sure it absolutely isn't the case, but please have ovarian cancer screening just to rule it out.

KittenOfWoe · 29/07/2020 23:09

@GiraffeHat

Not wanting to scare you OP, and I'm sure it absolutely isn't the case, but please have ovarian cancer screening just to rule it out.
Good idea, a friend had bowel cancer so I'm a little aware of the risks for that and was considering asking if a blood test could be run to check for those markers. However I hadn't considered this angle - my maternal Grandmother survived cervical and ovarian cancer, and my Mother has survived endometrial cancer so definitely should get that checked to rule it out too, thank you.

Throughabushbackwards - hadn't thought of that either!! A couple of people in my office were ill in March with what we strongly suspect was C19, although none of us have been tested. I'd assumed I got off scot free, but I guess that could be a possibility too!?

OP posts:
Freddie28 · 29/07/2020 23:37

I had 34 days of diarrhoea, tests showed ESR levels were way out and stool sample showed blood. GP kindly told me over the phone ‘Oh it’s probably bowel cancer’. Consultant rang me and I am awaiting the colonoscopy. I had Covid from February to April, then this started.
I can’t believe you haven’t had tests (PET sample), blood tests or a colonoscopy.

KittenOfWoe · 30/07/2020 01:10

Just had to do some googling there Grin
Think I will be asking on Monday for tests to look for any cancer markers if nothing else gets turned up by then; had various checks done but nothing cancer specific.

Keep telling myself it's 99.999999% going to be a stress or hormone thing, but I can't stop the thoughts popping into my head that it might be something more sinister.....

Can't believe your GP was so blasé on the phone to you, that's awful. Really hope you get some good news soon x

OP posts:
MrsKypp · 30/07/2020 02:48

I know someone who had the diarrhoea version of Covid-19 - no cough, but terrible diarrhoea.

He had a confirmed case of Covid-19. Blood tests at the time and then antibodies. Positive results from both tests. (Not in the UK).

MrsKypp · 30/07/2020 03:15

Sorry, of course I also meant to say I hope things start to improve for you and it all goes well. x

fizzybootlace · 30/07/2020 03:42

Is your diarrhoea yellow OP?

Mine was and turned out to be a 2.5cm gallstone and manky gallbladder. I had lots of gas and grumbling but not the searing pain that more common small stones can cause. Diagnosed by ultrasound so non invasive.

Before it was removed I couldn't tolerate any fat at all and was literally surviving on eggs and toast. Did lose a stone though!! 95% better since it came out in November and eating pretty much what I like, ive tried to not to put the weight back on but I don't care, just happy to feel well again.

Good luck and best wishes.

KittenOfWoe · 30/07/2020 16:26

No not yellow, but thank you for checking - really appreciate all the theories. Glad you're on the mend, that sounds rough!!

Thank you MrsKypp, I'll def mention it to the Dr on my next call x

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