Feeling so low about persistent abdominal pain and bleeding

[PumpkinChai]

Awake at silly o'clock (silly as I've two young kids that will no doubt wake multiple times and be up early) because my abdominal pain is playing up again.

For the past few years I've had persistent abdominal pain and bleeding when I do a poo, or sometimes its just blood not even poo. Strangely the only time it isnt an issue is when I'm pregnant.

I had a failed colonoscopy 2 years ago but nothing since. I keep going to my GP and they just say there is nothing they can do.

For the past month I've lost so much weight unintentionally, doesn't matter how much I eat, it just falls off.

I'm so tired too, but that could be from being kept awake from the pain (I do nap during the day time though)

Just wondered if anyone knew what I could do.

Thanks

Please contact your GP again, and tell them about the weight loss and tiredness as well. This must be investigated.

You need a colonoscopy. I had the same symptoms and was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Whatever it is needs treatment.

I have been having problems with my stomach and bowels. My gp advised it was ibs and that I didn’t need any tests however I saw a consultant about my gallbladder and told him about these symptoms. He has arranged a colonoscopy and some other tests as he advised gp should not have said ibs without ruling everything out.

I really think you should go back to your gp especially as you are having bleeding along with the weight loss.

I understand how draining these issues can be. I am up now as lying in bed gave me stomach pains and so will be tired tomorrow.

Hi op, apologies if this appears left field but what are your periods like?

I ised to have pain while pooping and it was really bad if I had a tampon in, so much so that I switched to pads. It turned out I had endometriosis with adhesions on my bowel. Please go and see a doctor, this type of thing gets worse every month. If its a digestion problem, you also need to be seen quickly, loosing lots of weight for no good reason is a big red flag. Please please go and be seen and push for tests, scans and referrals to specialists

Strangely the only time it isnt an issue is when I'm pregnant

Any period issues?

@lostandfound55 yes ibs is essentially a dx of exclusion it's basically meaningless it describes a set of symptoms without identifying a cause which the nhs is really shit for doing

The bleeding without pain concerns me too this DEFINITELY needs a follow up with a gastro possibly gynae specialist

Women are regularly dismissed and ignored by drs unfortunately

You need to go back and insist on another referral, you have several red flags, don't be fobbed off as like Graphista said women regularly get dismissed.

Why did your last colonoscopy fail? What did they say after that about further investigations?

Thank you everyone.

Last colonoscopy failed as it was too painful, they had me semi sedated but it wasn't enough, was awful. They didn't get very far, apparently I have a very kinked intestine.

My periods aren't that bad, not having any atm as breastfeeding. I have had very heavy ones, where I flood through every hour but over past 4 years I've been more pregnant than not pregnant (multiple losses) so not really sure what my periods are like

@PumpkinChai endometriosis was something that immediately came to mind when you said things improved when pregnant.

I asked my GP if it could be that @DigitalChristmas and she said it sounded more like PCOS if anything (not convinced by that personally considering I ovulate pretty bang on the same every cycle, regardless of erratic bleeding between periods)

Can I have endo though even if I'm not currently having any periods? And does it effect bowels? Wouldn't they have seen something on my scans or the short lived colonoscopy?

Thank you btw

Yes endo can and does affect bowels I have endo and I have uterine tissue and scarring on my bowels. Was I believe misdx with ibs around 10 years before getting endo dx

Scans very rarely pick up endo you need exploratory surgery really to dx

and even if not endo the failed colonoscopy needs followed up as your symptoms could be of other serious conditions

You need to push for a referral to gastro/gynae

Don't let your GP fob you off with IBS. I'm not suggesting IBS isn't real, but it's not the cause of every pain of the kind you're describing that the GP hasn't managed to diagnose.

I was told for years I had IBS, which in the end turned out to be gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed and it finally went away.

If you have bloody stools then you definitely do need a colonoscopy. I don't understand why your GP is saying there's nothing they can do - that's bizarre! If I were you I'd swap GPs and start again with a new one. Good luck to you x

@CarolinaPink can I ask what symptoms you had with your gallstones that they said were ibs?

I had similar failed colonoscopy.
Had another under GA ~endometriosis had permeated bowel wall.
investigations shouldn't have stopped for you st this point tbh.
insist on follow up xx

Same as other: go back to GP. Pooping blood is no joke!
It could be anything from crohns, colitis, pcos. All of them have treatment plans that help. IBS is a generic term when it's not this severe and everything else is ruled out. Not instead of doing the tests.
I don't know if you can ask for full sleep colonoscopy here, but if possible push for that.

Please, please, please insist on more investigations, even if it is to put your mind at rest.

@PumpkinChai how are you feeling?

Still crap, thank you for asking, haven't secured a DRs app yet. I have been following a low fodmap diet thinking that may help, past 2 days it was looking good but today its been awful.

I’d be terrified that I had bowel cancer to be honest. Keep pushing for an appointment.

@nimbuscloud GP already ruled that out with blood tests and said something would have shown up on the stool sample. Plus, it has been going on for 5 years now

Hello, so sorry you're having a horrid time, 5 years is far to long to be left without an answer and a follow up colonoscopy should have been arranged with suitable sedation. What did your bloods tell you about things like inflammatory markers etc?

Unexplained bleeding from the bowel for this long needs investigation. The fact it improved in pregnancy might point towards an autoimmune condition like ulcerative colitis ( which I have) or something else, but without proper tests, it's really guesswork. Whatever it is, if it's not sorted there may be risks of acute complications if it continues without management not to mention things like anaemia (when was your last blood test?)

Submit a complaint to the practice manager and ask to see a new doctor. Push for a referral and if you don't get it I'd strongly suggest changing GP or even a private consultation if you can manage. It's v hard to advocate for yourself when you're feeling crap but your health is too important. Xx

Just sending hugs. Am going through something similar but without bloody poo but have terrible pelvic pain, back pain and now pain during sex. Mine is only recent but I have had IBS for years so they are trying to say it’s dietary too.

I can't stress enough how much you need to see your gp and get an urgent referral. This isn't something that can be left. If you're unhappy with the GP you've seen, ask to see another in the practice. Check on the website for NICE recommendations as the gp should refer you on the 2 week pathway.