Bowel issues

[lhmua12]

Embarrassed to talk to my GP about this!

For the past month or so, I have had weird bowel issues. Generally loose stools bordering on persistent diarrhea, I’m not sure what triggers it. I’m also either bloated or dealing with high water retention. Lots of flatulence too.

I’m 22 and no other health issues. In May I took iron supplements as I had low ferritin and had the usual constipation and dark stools etc as expected, but my body went back to normal once I stopped taking them in July. No idea what the issue is now.

Please speak to your GP.

I had some issues a few years ago and turns out I have IBD. GP was brilliant, they've definitely seen it all before and if you do need a referral for anything it's always best sooner rather than later.

It could be nothing, it could be something. Either way it's not pleasant to live with, even temporarily.
Get yourself checked
Xx

Your doctor will not even bat an eyelid. Please get it checked out

@toteswingingit ah thanks for the speedy reply! How old were you when you were diagnosed if you don’t mind me asking? Is it something that just suddenly began or did you always have bowel problems?

I wonder if I have a food intolerance as my issues seem to be on/off, like something specifically triggers it? Also I have been drinking a ridiculous amount of coffee which probably isn’t helping.

I was 30.
Never had problems before, apparently most people show symptoms earlier than I did.

I now have treatment and can genuinely say my IBD doesn't affect my day to day life 95% of the time as it's well managed.

Please get it checked, it might be an intolerance or something else, but you will be able to get some sort of resolution.

You really need o see a doctor, I don't want to scare you but DSiL had very similar symptoms early this year. His GP fobbed him off saying it was a stomach bug but he couldn't eat without being ill. One day he was a different GP who took one look at his previous "no problems found" blood test and sent him straight to the hospital. He was diagnosed with Chron's . He nearly died because he didn't get the diagnosis early enough. It's currently being managed. At the opposite end of the spectrum I get similar too but in my case it's an intolerance to saturated fats.

Don't be embarrassed to see your doctor. They have to do physical examinations on people who never wash, and other unthinkable things.

Your diarrhoea and farts will be a breath of fresh air to them. As long as you don't fart while you're in there

Do get it checked out though. It's most likely something simple, so you'll be glad you did. Also, if it did happen to be something more serious, you'll be even more glad you did.

Have you tried quitting the coffee for a bit, to see if it changes anything?

Thank you all the for the replies

Yep, have already stopped drinking coffee. Tbh I only started because I have a free Pret subscription(!) - but these issues began before I started drinking it frequently and have slightly eased now that I have stopped.

I have been experimenting with my diet a bit, I think carbs are a trigger but hard to be sure as yet. Going to call my GP next week!

@toteswingingit that’s great that it has such little impact on your life now!

@goose1964 sorry to hear about your DSiL, glad he’s being treated now

@Eckhart haha that’s true - drs do deal with worser issues!

I have had IBS for 22 years and was diagnosed at 25. My symptoms were the same as yours. Definitely worth a trip to the gp but whilst your waiting try cutting out diary, it really helped with my diarrhoea. If you are diagnosed with IBS I would recommend the low fodmap diet but ask your gp to refer you to a NHS dietician as it’s a tricky diet to follow but gives many followers relief from their symptoms.

Make an appointment OP.

If it turns out to be nothing, then it doesn't matter.

If it's something that needs investigation with a hospital consultant, you'll go on a waiting list.

During the time you're on the list, your symptoms might get worse and you'll be wishing the day of your appointment was sooner.

Make the GP appointment straightaway.