Constant Diarrhoea

[mildlymiffed]

For the past two months constantly I've had diarrhoea. Some days up to 13 bowel movements. All horrible liquidy shits.

Went to the GP after the first two weeks. They did run some bloods- but nothing was flagged. And I just left it, but continued to feel rubbish.

Now two months on I've been back. They've run bloods and stool samples. This time I've taken a greater interest in my test results. And there are two that jump out as being off:

My b12 reading is 243 ng/l (in normal range apparently- but right at bottom end)
And my serum tibc is 71 umol/L (abnormal)

I rang the docs this morning and he said I needed to wait for the stool sample analysis to come back next week. So that was that and I'm left floundering still as to what is going on. But in the meantime can anyone comment on what they think of the two figures above and if they point to anything obvious?

I feel absolutely wiped, teary and lousy. I've taken the day off work (unheard of) as feeling so drained.

At the end of my tether really. Cried on the school run today in front of my 11yo ds. Just want to stop shitting and feeling grim.

I'm a 39yo generally healthy woman otherwise. Not veggie or vegan so shouldn't have dietary factors contributing to low iron.

Are they looking at the calprotectin levels in your stool sample? That often gives a much better idea of inflammation levels than looking at blood tests.
Once the stool sample results are back, the GP should have a much better idea of what the cause may be but if you are still not happy then do ask to be referred to gastroenterology at the hospital.

I had diarrhoea for about 18 months before I went to the GP, I kept thinking it was going to get better and it didn’t. I saw a gastroenterologist, had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and from there a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Mine was managed quite well once we got the combination of meds right and I worked quite happily with no problems.

Have they ruled out coeliac disease?

@MrsPnut I'm not sure what they're looking for in my stool sample. But it was a vile sample! Yellow and frothy; not normal on any way shape or form! Ugh. This whole thing is grim! I will push for a referral as I know this isn't right and I can't do this for another 2 months. I'm not sure how you lasted 18 months- but I do get it. I keep thinking, "tomorrow, I'll feel okay, I'm sure"...

@SillyYak no convos yet on coeliac disease. I'll raise that when I go back.

I want to assert myself to get more tests without sounding bolshy. It's not the easiest thing to do when you're feeling so wiped 😔

Do push your GP to at least rule it out. Your symptoms sound like it could be, and it’s not always the first thing GPs check for, despite it being a relatively common condition.

You might find this information helpful: www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease/what-are-coeliac-disease-symptoms/check-your-symptoms/

Could you have giardia? This sounds exactly like what I experienced a couple of years ago. No idea where I caught it. A course of strong antibiotics and all was sorted.

Really appreciate your suggestions. I buckled today and took some Imodium so I have had a stay of execution for the day. Decided that I really wanted to be able to enjoy my weekend.

I’m guessing they are looking at inflammation for ulcerative colitis, also for signs of Crohns - they may also look for ant signs of pathogens like giardia it didn’t.

Make an appointment with GP next week, and get them to talk you through and insist on a very brisk referral to gastro (although the GP can poss refer you for a colonoscopy in advance). They’ve allowed this to go on longer than it should so press hard. It’s a good sign I would think that Imodium works for you, when I’ve had active UC and previously guardians

@partyatthepalace not sure the Imodium was the best idea! I ended up bloated and gassy and was incredibly uncomfortable the whole evening!

Damned if I do, damned if I don't!

Will head back to the surgery early next week. With a renewed sense of gusto to get this sorted.

Yeah - exaggerate your symptoms like crazy and sit on them till they refer you as an emergency. Both times I had similar symptoms I didn’t make a fuss till I ended up
Being hospitalised for several days (with near kidney damage on one occasion due to dehydration)... make a noise!

Classic symptoms of coeliac- has this been ruled out by bloods? Does the diarrhea change depending on foods eaten? Try less gluten more veg.

Can't help but I had a similar problem when I was on maternity leave. I felt tied to the house as I constantly needed for poo after eating or drinking, so even going to a friends house was stressful as I needed to poo so much.

The doctor ran various tests all came back inconclusive and eventually as I needed ro go back to work, they prescribed Imodium to take on a daily basis. It did work and I was able to work and eventually problem resolved even though I had no idea what caused it

You poor thing x have you had your gallbladder removed or ever been diagnosed with gallstones? Does it happen more after fatty foods or dairy products?

Never had my gallbladder removed. It is so relentless (diarrhoea, burping excessively, and fatigue (yet still suffer from insomnia) are the main things) that it's really getting me down. Back to square one today as Imodium has worn off, and I'm glued to the loo.

I think I eat pretty well. Lots of home cooked food, fruit and veg. So generally a well balanced diet.

He said he was doing a wheat intolerance test as part of the bloods- but it apparently that test has to be sent to outer space for analysis and he said it wasn't a quick turnaround. I'm conscious not to start excluding stuff until they've tested for everything as don't want any false negatives.

Thing is I can talk firmly when I'm at home about what I'm going to say to the doctors, but when I get in there I'm nervous about just crumbling and not standing my ground. I'm also nervous that currently there may be long waits for tests 😞. But need it fixed, and the sooner the better.

@partyatthepalace

Yeah - exaggerate your symptoms like crazy and sit on them till they refer you as an emergency. Both times I had similar symptoms I didn’t make a fuss till I ended up Being hospitalised for several days (with near kidney damage on one occasion due to dehydration)... make a noise!

Not sure this is the greatest advice. Be clear about your symptoms when they're at their worst by all means, but don't 'exaggerate them like crazy' or you risk being prioritised over someone else who actually does have worse symptoms.

So managed to push for a referral today to a gastroenterologist. Was a bit like pulling teeth as GP said not all test results were back, and that some could take a further 2-3 weeks and he wanted to hang on for them. I questioned why he couldn't line up a consultants appointment so that I have test results to arrive around the same time as appt., at which point he conceded that he could and he did.

Symptoms still persistent. Growing more and more weary each day. Met a friend for a short walk today and had to dash to loo at beginning and end of last walk- with cramps to boot 😞.

But at least I'm hoping it's now the start of the process.

Good for you, at least you can feel like something might be happening.

Has your CA-19 been checked when they did your bloods?

Do you eat any foods that contain artificial sweetener? Or drinks like Diet Coke? I was fine until mid 40s and then I ended up with problems with both which I’d previously been fine with.

The B12 reading suggests malabsorption. A burnt hair or wet dog smell (of stool) is characteristic of gut malabsorption. Do you have that?

@RickiTarr haven't noticed those particularly aromas, but I know I am not absorbing stuff properly. I take the contraceptive pill and I had breakthrough bleeding this month despite taking my pill as directed- because I'm not absorbing it properly.

@Elieza nope- not a fizzy drink person. Water, very diluted squash, and tea. That's the extent of it!

@bloodywhitecat I can't see that one on the list of tests...

Just hoping the referral doesn't take too long. I want this to be a distant memory. Very crampy today and been a few times already... 😒

Is the bm acidic? Ie. Does it sting coming out? If so, it may be Bile Acid Malabsorption.

But definitely get them to test for coeliacs, IDB and the like. You may need a camera up the bum and one down the throat. But the bum one is easier!

Also, have a look at the low fodmap diet, which may help you control symptoms for a while. Basically it's eating low fibre foods, so white bread, rice and pasta and limited fruit and veg. I have colitis and when I'm flaring potatoes and rice are my friends!

@mildlymiffed

Really appreciate your suggestions. I buckled today and took some Imodium so I have had a stay of execution for the day. Decided that I really wanted to be able to enjoy my weekend.

What do you mean by you buckled? If you need Imodium take it. I have IBS D pretty severely and take loperamide pretty much every day it's the only way I can function.

@idontlikealdi buckled because I don't like taking it. For me, I find it is a short term bung and I pay for taking it the next day. When I took it at the weekend though I paid for it within hours though as was bloated and gassy and very uncomfortable. So yes, not running to the loo- but not pleasant in other ways. It's not a long term solution for me. I appreciate that it gives others relief though.

@bunburyscucumbersandwich yes, it does burn. I have haemorrhoids too now, which isn't helping. I'll try some very plain fodmap'ing and see if it helps.

I suppose I just want to know what it is that is causing my stomach so much grief... I'll take a camera up the bum if that gives me answers. I suppose, like most people, the thought of "unexplained" is what is giving me the most fear!