Change in bowel movments - a concern or a resolve on it's own sort of thing?

[anon10980]

Hey,

Wondered if anyone has any similar experiences etc.

For the past 3+ months I have been having this change in bowel movements/patterns, I have this dreadful achey pain in my stomach on my right side, sometimes it goes to my back. I have these loose stools and sometimes there is blood on the paper when I wipe although that is likely because I am going to the toilet all the time, the other day I went 6 times and that was just the morning! I have lost my appetite lately as I just feel so full all the time, so bloated. I’m 30 and have had a previous c section nearly 2 years ago so perhaps its adhesions or something but either way its very, very uncomfortable.

Any words of wisdom or ideas of whats happening that would be great. I am a bit worried about calling the GP and perhaps it just needing time to resolve on it’s own! I don’t want to waste their time.

Thanks so much.

You definitely aren't wasting the GP time and would much better talking to them than getting advice on the Internet

Don't hang around any longer, OP. Call the GP on Monday.

Why would you think you are wasting a gp’s time. You have symptoms of what might be bowel cancer, irritable bowel syndrome or other illnesses. Going to the toilet 6 times in the morning is not normal.
Call the gp tomorrow morning.

Thank you for your replies. I think I needed some prodding to make the call! I will call them tomorrow and make an appointment. I stupidly just assumed becuase of my age it would just resolve on its own as I thought that if it was anything sinister you are a little older.

Call the GP tomorrow. Don't wait.

Definitely don't hold off any longer with this op .

Definitely GP, they should send you for investigations.

Yes, loss of appetite and a change in bowel habits warrants a GP appointment. Make sure you tell them why when you ring for an appointment.
Is the blood on the toilet paper bright red ie fresh or dark red?

@anon10980 at your age it’s much more likely to be something like irritable bowel, but do have it checked and you can stop worrying about it, as well as have some medication to ease the symptoms.

I went to the GP last week as i was in the same situation as you, OP, she was absolutely brilliant and took my concerns very seriously, did a rectal exam and ordered bloods, home stool sample and arranged for hospital to supply a FIT test. I had blood test Friday and handed in my stool sample and the FIT test kit arrived yesterday so I will so that today. Please book in with your GP.

Coeliac disease is a less sinister possibility but not one to ignore. At any rate, any time you're in pain for months, don't soldier on, see your GP

Thanks all!

@OlliesocksThe blood is bright red.

@Madbadandusuallysad Thank you for sharing your expeience, that is reassuring to know they took you seriously.

Definately make that appointment. Its best to start the ball rolling and get an answer. Best of luck x

Hope you managed to get an appointment booked, OP?

@Madbadandusuallysad Thanks for asking. Yes I did manage to, its tomorrow.

Wishing you all the best with it. I had a message from my surgery today to say my blood test has come back and that I have to make an appointment to see the GP, i'm hoping they found manageable things and nothing major.

Hope your appointment went OK. I have an inflammatory bowel disease called colitis and can get these symptoms during a flare up. Mine was diagnosed with a colonoscopy and biopsies.

Hi OP, and others jn this situation - just wondering how you are doing and any updates. I'm in a similar situation. Going to call GP in the morn but worrying in the mean time....

Hope all is Ok OP?

@anon10980 any update? Did you get seen?

Hey, thank you for thinking of me.

Sorry for the delay, I didn't have the original appointment because I got Covid. I had the appointment today instead, anyway the doctor I saw really listened to me and took me seriously. She examined me and ordered an ultrasound, bloods for celiac and a stool sample and then take it from there.

Thank you for all the support!

Well done for going OP! Hope you get answers quickly.

Good luck OP

Glad you got seen now OP. Sorry it was delayed as you were ill. But at least the ball is rolling now.

My own update is that the surgery asked me to come and see the doctor to discuss my blood results. She also said that they didn't label/send off my stool sample properly so had to re-do, which I was delayed sending a second sample as I was busy with work and commitments. So no result on that or my FIT test kit.

Anyway at the appointment she prescribed xyloproct ointment for anal irritation and dacktacort cream for a mild infection around my bum area.

She said my bloods were all negative for celiac, and iron (the iron one surprised me). But they hadn't tested my cholesterol and vitamin d levels.
Also said I was pretty much diabetic but need a further blood test to confirm this (and test for vit D and cholesterol) which I will have done in two weeks time.

The waiting around sucks

@anon10980 hi OP, how did this ever turn out? X