Bowel problems, gross details warning!

[HelloEmbarrassing]

First off. I’m not a poo troll! (I know that’s what a poo troll would say…)

I’ve been having problems for over 6 months.
Started with loads of pain, bloating all over and needing the loo 10+ times a day. Diarrhoea, but not totally liquid, more loose and unformed.
Nausea after and before eating. Didn’t matter what I ate, high fat/low fat/high fibre/low fibre.
Lasted for about 2 months, had a scan at GP, no gallstones, everything looked normal.

Flared up badly a couple of weeks ago, went to GP again and told to take anti spasmodic and paracetamol.

Still coming and going, I genuinely don’t remember when I last had a ‘normal’ poo

I’ve had gynae problems before and had to go private to get diagnosis and treatment. And that makes me expect to be fobbed off/that I’m exaggerating/it’s not that bad.

Diet wise I’m vegetarian, no dairy products, occasional eggs, partial to a bag of crisps, very low alcohol intake (couple of drinks a year). 5+ fruit and veg a day easily.
BMI 26

Anyone had similar? Any idea what I can do to help?

Ask to be referred to gastro for a scope. But be prepared for a very long wait.

Your diet sounds very restrictive, are you taking any multivitamin to make sure your getting what you should or is all the fruit and veg providing too much vit C and your body is just getting rid of what it doesn't need as quickly as possible. It is possible.

See

I'm surprised you haven't been referred for a colonoscopy. Back to your GP I think and ask for a referral. Good luck

I was like this, proctitis was diagnosed via a colonoscopy. It still flares up sometimes but can be controlled via medication and diet. I would take all the tests they offer you, it can sometimes take a while to find the cause and it’s awful living with symptoms like these.

I have chronic IBS, I don’t have any trigger foods and it’s a lottery if I end up on the toilet after eating anything.

Have you had a stool sample, I got a particularly nasty parasite after eating a Greek takeaway, not a common one in the uk - but I still caught it here, your symptoms sound very similar.

That sounds awful for you but glad you've been checked out for something more serious. Is the GP doing more tests however? Have you had blood tests for celiac disease for example as what you describe obviously isn't normal. Are you suffering stress as I'm also wondering whether it's IBS linked? Did the initial difficulties come on suddenly?

Some good pro-prebiotics may help. I know you say it doesn't matter what you eat but I also wonder whether it's worth examining this more fully with someone like a kinesiologist who will look at the impact of what you are eating or taking on your body. Just a few thoughts..

Have colitis or Chrohns been mentioned?

All of the above plus have you done a food diary yet? Do it before they ask if you haven't because it saves time

Has anyone in your family had bowel or womb cancer? If so, you need an urgent colonoscopy now. Actually with those symptoms I would be pushing for a colonoscopy anyway.

I’ll try and answer your questions, thanks for responding.

I take multivitamin, b12, vitamin D and vegan omega.
Fruit wise I probably have 2-3 portions a day, the rest is veg/legumes.

Yes I need to push for a colonoscopy. No bloods or stool sample suggested.

Never heard of proctitis, that sounds like it could be an answer.

I regularly have mucus and pain when using the loo. No blood/dark coloured stool.

It’s been going on for ages, but has ramped up badly a couple of times.
I bloat so badly and pain from ribs to pubic bone, arse daggers , low back pain.

Once vomiting uncontrollably for an hour (so bad I bruised my face and neck and burst blood vessels in my eyes). But only that once with the vomiting. That was the worst flare up.

Stress levels good now, but around the time it was worst was selling house, family bereavement, covid related work stress.

I haven’t done a food diary because I’m lazy I will actually start one today. With symptoms too,

No history of bowel or womb cancer in family. I had endometriosis but mostly symptom free since surgery, 2 pregnancies and breastfeeding for 3 years.

Stress triggers my IBS..

You really should get properly checked out.

I get those symptoms too when ovarian cysts play up. It's a misery. Peppermint tea really helps!

Oh and no weight changes over this time

You need to have a colonoscopy but also some proper blood tests - I’m thinking autoimmune conditions like Addison’s, thyroid issues, crohns, etc.

Do start that food diary and do a poo diary alongside it.

You poor thing. Sounds similar to ulcerative colitis or crohns.

Good luck

…..and google Bile Acid Malabsorption. Estimated that 1/3 of people told they have IBS have BAM. You’d need a thing called a SECHAT scan to diagnose. Can be controlled with meds/binders…..

I should have mentioned OP; when I was diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis, it was initially triggered by a very stressful time in my life. However, its also often triggered by hot weather; sounds strange but apparently it’s ‘physical distress’ and definitely affects me! When I have a flare up I also get terrible joint aches/pains.

Could it be linked to the endo?

I don’t think it’s linked to endo as I don’t have any difference in symptoms around my period. That stopped after surgery and also stopping caffeine, alcohol and dairy helps.

Going to do an e consult and push for more investigation.

I’ve done a food and symptom diary today and it’s put it in black and white how bad it is.
I’ve been to the loo 5x today, no ‘normal’ poos. And after having beetroot at lunch it was coming out the other end 7hrs later oh god why am I telling the internet thus

Thanks for all giving me the kick up the bum to stop just living with it

When i had endo on the bowel i had very simmilar symptoms which did not seem to be linked to my cycle. The consultant said the bowel can object to the endo touching it. May be worth looking into if you dont get anywhere with gastro.

One thing to check is sugar substitution in food. I had exactly the same, started to get really worried when I started to have accidents as couldn't hold any longer, then realised that it was worse after I had some diet bars. Turned out they are full of sacharin.

Then the same happened to my son and we found out that low sugar cereals had the same. Gum, sugar free sweets, yogurts etc...

Supposed to be ok if eating in moderation but if you have a bit more you know it!

I've given these up and I'm back to normal.

Do follow all the advice for extra tests and procedures, and in the meantime try ordering some saccharomyces boulaardii probiotics. Optibac are a good brand. They’re not cheap but can work miracles for IBS. I struggled for years in the way you describe but these sorted things out within days (you can have a couple of ropey days after starting them but then things get much better). They seem to have stopped me from catching every cold going as well. It’s been 2.5 years without a cold now and I used to get at least 4-5 per year. Didn’t stop me from catching Covid but you can’t have everything.

I had this, love. I paid for a private colonoscopy and then took results to my local public health doctor (am in Spain).

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and have been taking mezavant for 6 months and all symptoms are gone and I'm back to normal. I started on 3 a day and am now down to 2. No side effects. Push for the colonoscopy because ulcerative colitis is totally manageable with medication but an untreated flare can get nasty. Don't let them fob you off. Your situation sounds precisely like mine last September. Good luck and stand firm. 💝

Endometriosis symptoms are worse around ovulation for me - mine are exactly as you describe.