Should I be concerned for my concerned for my friend?

[Hairbrush123]

So my friend is telling me about these unusual symptoms she’s experiencing.

For the last week - she’s been experiencing severe stomach cramps (to the point where she’s lying on the floor in pain) which doesn’t seem to be easing, she said she’s quite constipated but passing mainly soft stools.

She’s been to the GP about it and they’ve prescribed her buscopan and some laxatives. They’ve done a blood test and a urine sample which she is awaiting results for. I’ve told her to ask to see a specialist for some sort of scan if these tests don’t show anything and the medication doesn’t work. I’m getting very worried for her.

Did anyone else have these symptoms? If so - what was it? Thanks.

These could be many things, but could also be IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It can be crippling. The blood and stood samples will also test for IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).

The doctor felt her tummy and said where her bowel is feels tight and irritated. The doctor said it might be IBS or coeliac disease. I reminded her to tell her doctor that IBS is only a diagnosis when all other known causes have been ruled out so don’t be fobbed off with the IBS diagnosis. I just hope she’s ok .

Just realized I put concerned twice!

Getting any sort of bowel issues diagnosed is a long process unfortunately.
They were only perform a colonoscopy if there are inflammation markers in her bloods and / or stools.
Tbh, it could be purely constipation. If she’s backed up that can cause agony too.

I don't suppose there's any chance your friend is pregnant, is there? I had an ectopic pregnancy which had symptoms similar to the ones you describe. It felt nothing like pregnancy related pain, more like agonising constipation, but bowel movements were normal. I had this on and off for over a week before I ended up in hospital.