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?

I’m sorry you are suffering OP, and for so long too!

It sounds very much like a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (NOT IBS - this is different from IBD) such as crohns or colitis. However, your symptoms are red flags for other concerning problems and you therefore should have received an urgent referral immediately after reporting symptoms.

You need a faecal calprotectin level and a colonoscopy for a formal diagnosis.

Hi, a thought…..are you fasting or skipping meals at all?
I had dreadful painful cramping, vomiting and diarrhoea about 2 hours after eating my main meal for years. Happened about once per week. All the tests etc. It took me a long time to twig it was because I skipped lunch occasionally. Simple as that. I need to eat something, no matter how small between noon and 2:30pm or if I eat my main meal on an empty stomach, 2 hours later my body purges it painfully.
Just a possibility …..

I support the words of newmummyinlockdown.

Hope you get a diagnosis and get treatment soon. Can you afford go go privately?

Thanks for the replies again. I’ve been keeping a food and symptom diary and nothing showing up yet.
I’ve got an appointment for a blood test, stool sample and general blood pressure etc check.
It does sounds like IBD, a lot of the symptoms fit.
Also, it’s flared right up, then a day later period hits. Cycle has been irregular (21-31 days) the last year or so. I’m mid 30s. Mum had an early menopause at 40.
Maybe it is endo related after all??

Not fasting/skipping meals, if anything I eat too many meals

Sounds like ulcerative colitis or crohns ask your gp fof a referal to gastro because you are consitently having diarrhea. Inform them if you do indeed have weight loss. Might speed them up abit.

@HelloEmbarrassing

Definitely push for a colonoscopy please don't be fobbed off with just blood tests etc the only way to know for sure is for them to look at your bowel.

I’ve had the blood test results back. All normal except low ferritin (12 and 15+ is normal).
Inflammation levels normal, B12/vit D normal.
Waiting for the stool sample results.
Nothing linking up in symptom/food diary.
Missed a day of work this week as could t get off the loo

You need to be referred to a gastroenterologist. If the GP is puzzled by results it needs to go to the specialist. Please push for a referral.

Have they looked at gluten?

Given your gynae issues it could be endometriosis of the bowel. If it infiltrates within the bowel you can get some shocking symptoms.

I’ve tested negative for coeliac on the blood test, but know that isn’t always accurate.

Have got the nhs app and my stool sample result has come in this evening - intermediate - which apparently means I need to do another sample in a couple of weeks.

I am going to keep on about it, have put up with it for too long. It’s not normal, although I’ve been trying to live like it is, and I can’t keep on like this.

Thank you everyone for the ideas and support, I’m really glad I posted.

I had similar symptoms and a colonoscopy last week which showed diverticular disease. Flares for me when stressed. Just waiting for the GP to give me advice on management. They should have you on the two week pathway.

Btw, my stool samples (for bacteria and blood) were normal as were my bloods. White cells showed in my urine. I went to a private gastroenterologist as GP dragging their feet due to 'normal' test results and he pushed for me to be seen on the two week gastro pathway. Had a ct scan, gastroscopy and colonoscopy within 10 days on the Nhs.

I had very similar symptoms, "normal" blood tests and stage 3 bowel cancer. GP wouldn't refer me because of the bloods and kept telling me it was IBS.

Mucus is not normal, but don't wait for blood before you get a referral. I didn't lose blood until after I had finally been referred and was going through the tests.

Since the cancer I have developed microscopic colitis which is basically more of the same.

It is less likely that you have bowel cancer than one of the previously mentioned conditions, but it does worry me when posters airily suggest diet changes etc. Eliminate the serious first.

@Changednamesorry how soon after starting medication did you go back to normal?
I had a colonoscopy this week and mild patchy colitis was found. Going back soon for biopsy results for formal diagnosis. Just wondering how soon I could potentially clear up? I know if it different for everyone but just as an example.

Thanks

Good luck OP sounds like you’re on the way to sorting it. It does sound like colitis to me or something similar