Loose stools, lack of appetite & weight loss

[Ohtheaudacity]

I’m trying not to Google but starting to get a bit worried. On and off for the last 3 months I have periods of very loose stools, sometimes going to the loo 6-8 times a day. More recently I’ve lost my appetite and get full very quickly, I can only manage half my normal portion size. I’ve also lost 8 pounds in 5 weeks. I haven’t been trying to lose weight, I just feel completely uninterested in eating and that’s not like me at all! I am otherwise healthy. I have 2 kids aged 1 & 4. No history of bowel issues. Any ideas?

I have a GP apt for Friday 10th June to discuss these issues but I’m not sure if I’m over reacting and should cancel.

I would definitely keep the GP appointment, you're not over reacting.

You should always contact your GP if you have a change in toilet habits that last longer than about a fortnight. Don't cancel your appointment!

Ok, thank you. I’ll be honest I’m a bit worried. Is this kind of thing always something?

Keep appointment. Good luck OP.

Even if it is 'something' then it can be successfully treated. Please keep the appointment.

Has your diet changed recently? It could be a food intolerance, but absolutely keep your appointment.

I haven’t intentionally changed my diet, no. I am naturally eating smaller portions due to decreased appetite but that’s it. My elder sister is a coeliac and has ulcerative colitis. My maternal aunt is a coeliac too. I will mention that to the GP as they both got diagnosed in their 30’s too (I’m 31)

100% keep your appointment , they'll do a stool sample , blood test and colonoscopy
I have diverticular disease ( 2 ulceralted areas , lucky me ) but they went through the tests to rule out bowel cancer , Chrons , ulcerative coloitis

The colonoscopy isn't the best day of your life but not as bad as youd imagine ( though the prep to clear your bowel is grim It;s the worst flavoured drink and hours on the loo ) !

You're not overreacting. I would write down a list of all your symptoms to take with you because it's easy to forget one, e.g. urinating more frequently. If your not sure, I would ask a relative if there's a history of IBS, bowel cancer, ovarian cancer etc. in your family, before your appointment.

It might also be helpful to keep a food diary.

Definitely do not cancel your appointment. It’s likely something that can be easily addressed but there needs to be proper tests, including CA125 blood test.

Those are good suggestions, thank you! I tend to get a bit of white coat syndrome and minimise the symptoms out of fear of causing a fuss. A list is a great idea. I have kept some food diaries on the very bad days; I’m not nutritionist but I can’t see a pattern. I also have several days in a row of totally normal bowel movements, which is why I’m second guessing myself. I’ve also cut out alcohol but that doesn’t seem to have made a difference. Writing here is helping to keep me calm, thank you.

Also make a note is theres any
bleeding (and colour if its fresh blood or dark like tar or coffee grind)
any blood in stool
any mucous
any pain like sharp pinching pain or spasms
any bloating

It all helps build up a picture for the diagnosis

And ovarian issues can be dismissed as oh it's only IBS so they might do a scan (ultrasound or CT)

I only had diarrhoea once a week when I was diagnosed with coeliac disease at 40, it doesn't have to be every day
The antibody tests that the GP did always came back negative though, I had genetic test and duodenal biopsies which confirmed it

I wouldn't cut out any food ahead of your appointment. You'll need to be still eating gluten inorder to get an accurate test for Coeliacs. Cutting out coffee may help make your bowel movements less frequent.

I agree that you shouldn’t cancel.

The doctor should do bloods on you, make sure the CA125 is among those requested and ideally an ultrasound to have a look at what’s going on.

My mum died from Ovarian cancer. She was told repeatedly her symptoms were ibs, menopause or indigestion.
I don't think you have this as the symptoms are persistent. She didn't have a few days of normal. Once the symptoms started they were persistent and became worse over 12 weeks.
The tell tail sign was bloating. She stomach was huge and it wasn't a post meal bloat that goes over night it was there constantly. She also had urinary issues but no uti was present.

@Justwingingit2005 I’m so sorry to hear about your mum. Thank you for sharing her story. I don’t often feel bloated but do feel full quickly which I know can be a sign. I’ll be sure to be persistent with the doctor.

The lack of appetite and the bloating normally go hand in hand together as the bloating is from ascites which is a fluid produced by the body in response to the cancer. The fluid presses up on the stomach and down on the bowel and bladder causing the issues.
I would ask for an abdominal ultrasound. Ca125 is ok but can cause alot of worry. It only highlights something is wrong it doesn't pinpoint what, so if yours comes back higher than 35 you'll need an scan anyway.
Mine hovers around 30 to 35 and I've had my ovaries removed.

Thought I’d update - saw the doctor and I felt they really listened to me and took it seriously. They’ve ordered non-urgent blood tests and I have to provide 2 stool samples - I stupidly forgot to ask what these are looking for. They are going to test for coeliac too. If that’s all clear they will investigate further. I’ll try to update here as I came across lots of threads during my search and always wondered what the outcomes were.

Great news that they took you seriously, OP.

Hi OP,

How are you now? I'm also suffering the exact same symptoms. 7lb down in 2 weeks, no appetite at all and can barely manage a kids size portion and runs 4/5 times a day some days. Getting a little worried x

@bigskydeepsea have you made a GP appointment? The advice above is well worth following. I have ovarian cancer and my only noticeable symptoms were a change in bowel habits and then bloating. Looking back I can see that I was also full quicker than I am now but that was very gradual and I didn’t notice.

The best thing to do with any symptoms like these are request blood tests from the GP to include CA125 and CA199. Hopefully they’ll also refer you for an ultrasound.

OP I hope your results came back normal in the end.

@AGreatUsername I'm so sorry to hear that and sending love & hope to you. Are you currently having treatment?

Stupidly because I know it's so hard to get into the doctors I haven't made an appointment but I'm starting to become quite concerned, I struggled to eat 1 piece of toast earlier and have already been to the toilet 4 times today.

@bigskydeepsea Yes, I’m currently having chemotherapy following a big surgery. Not ideal but hey ho, 1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some point in our lives, we just have to hope treatment continues to advance.

Thats a pity, GPs can really be a nightmare these days, too many patients and not enough doctors. I’d try Tuesday and mention you’re very concerned about cancer, they should squeeze you in! If you are really poorly over the 4 days weekend or can’t eat at all call 111 for advice I suppose.