Embarrassing problem

[Bumtrouble]

Name changed for obvious reasons

For the past month or so I've had diarrhoea on and off as well as left sided abdominal pain. Embarrassingly I have actually soiled myself twice while out walking & unable to find a toilet. It's got to the stage where I'm constantly uncomfortable and worried about being able to find a toilet if I need one.

I've phoned my gp & have blood & other tests booked for a couple of weeks time but im just really scared. Im early 50s.

@Bumtrouble

Pain wise I'm already taking prescribed Naproxen daily for arthritis along with Omeprazole to protect my stomach. I also take paracetamol & have Co dydramol which I only take at night if needed as it makes me sleepy.

do push for quicker tests OP so you know what you are dealing with, hopefully just an infection that the body is finding it hard to shift.

Sorry to say that that cocktail of drugs you are in is going to be a big strain on the bowel in the longer term. Once you get this sorted out I'd push hard for a referral to a pain clinic where they can help you to manage the pain with less use of meds.

Hopefully I won't be on this 'cocktail' of drugs long term. Once I have surgery to the arthritic joint the naproxen will no longer be needed. The others are temporary to deal with my current issue

Had bloods & poo test last Wednesday & my gp has phoned this morning & asked to see me urgently today. Now I'm scared

Hopefully they will have the results for you and if they showed something then there will be a referral to a gastroenterologist.
Medication, once you get the right combination makes a massive difference.

Please don't panic .
It could be anything and you've taken the important first step.
Wishing you the best of luck with your appointment.

Wishing you the best of luck @Bumtrouble. Think of this as the first step to you feeling better.💐

Don’t panic! They are going to help you get better

Easier said than done but try not to panic! I’ve found my GP surgery to be eerily quiet these days, it could be that yours is the same and so they’ve been able to get you in earlier than expected

i hope you get answers soon

Hope u get some answers xx

How did you get on x

Fast track appointment she said 'query cancer'. Trying hard not to panic but feeling awful not helping.

Oh bless you OP that must be so frightening for you
I know it probably won’t come as much comfort to you at the minute but most referrals actually don’t lead to a cancer diagnosis.
Your fast-track referral is standard practice, the doctor has to do it if you meet the criteria. Basically the referral has to be made in order to exclude cancer...it’s not necessarily because she thinks you do have it. They have to exclude the worst case scenario before exploring other conditions.
I’ve had a fast track referral twice due to meeting certain criteria of two different cancers and thankfully all came back fine after investigation. I hope this is the same for you

So sorry you got worrying new op.

Remember that GP are trying to use the fast track system as much as possible in the pandemic as so few people are coming forward due to Covid concerns. They have done the right thing to get you sorted ASAP. I hope you feel better soon. 💐

Hi
I started with severe diarrhoea in July 2019. I had tests and investigations, including a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and a Colonoscopy. They removed a couple of polyps but the diarrhoea continued. In January 2020, quite by chance they found a small tumour on my kidney, this was removed by a partial nephrectomy in February 2020 and my diarrhoea disappeared two weeks later. There has been no reoccurrence and I am absolutely fine now. The advice from the department who did the Sigmoidoscopy etc was to take Imodium as you needed it to control the diarrhoea. Without it I had no control at all and stopped going anywhere in case I had an accident. Please don't worry as that makes it worse.

Have they checked for coeliac?

Thanks @Vomadetroit that's reassuring

I have exactly the same symptoms. My GP referred me under a cancer referral as it was the only way to be seen quickly. She said not to worry about the letters saying cancer referral. All tests were fine. I still have the symptoms and nothing is resolved. Tena lady pants in a large size help with soiling while out.

I have no appetite & there's nothing I fancy eating. Live alone so nobody to cook for. Can anyone suggest what I can eat please?

How did you get on today?

See above :(

I’m so sorry I missed that! I hope you are okay. Perhaps she just has done this to get you seen quicker? Did she say what had been found that was worrisome?

High levels of inflammation in poo sample

Oh Bumtrouble If it helps at all, both DH and I have been referred for similar issues in the last couple of years. We were both fast tracked, which only added to the worry. Colonoscopy showed nothing wrong at all for either of us. DH turned out to have stress/depression related IBS. Mine was most likely a result of food poisoning which had made me intolerant to certain foods.

Obviously that's not proof it's nothing sinister for certain, but sudden severe symptoms can come from nowhere and turn out to be nothing to worry about. Sending you and I hope you get answers quickly.

Agree, there’s lots of possible causes for inflammation but they have to rule out the very worst. Can you try some toast? Dry crackers? A banana? The stress will likely play havoc with your apetite.