Blood in stools and low vitamin B12 - could they be linked?

[snowingg]

I'm in my 20s, no other health issues. Around once a year since I was a teenager I would have these episodes of intense stomach cramps, diarrhea and fainting (from the pain of the stomach cramps). The last two times this has happened (last week and a couple of months ago) I had bloody mucus in my stools. It was bright red. The stomach pain is just above my belly button and is a burning kind of pain. The first time it happened my GP thought it was a bug, but the second time has meant I've had a stool test and blood test.

I'm waiting for results from my stool test (testing for calprotectin and infections). My blood test results have come back normal aside from low B12, my GP has advised that I have a repeat blood test in 3 months to check these again. I don't have many symptoms of low B12 aside from tiredness, brain fog and occasional tinnitus - all of these symptoms flare up when I'm stressed though so I attributed them to stress. I am a vegetarian though, and I don't eat cereal or eggs though as I just don't like them and eggs make me feel sick so it could be diet-related.

Aside from these episodes, my bowel movements are pretty normal. I do have irregular bowel movements, but I can always attribute it to something e.g. every Monday I have loose stools and urgency because I always feel anxious on Mondays due to work, every weekend I barely go as I'm not eating or drinking enough, etc. On average I go 2-3 times a day, mainly in the morning.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Could the gastro issues and B12 be linked?

If you have bright red blood in your stool I would be seeking an urgent colonoscopy. Not wanting to freak you out but two people I know had this- one left it too long due to GP being too relaxed. She sadly passed from bowel cancer. The other has spent the last two years battling bowel cancer also and is still sick. Im aware the majority of blood in stools is not bowel cancer but Id be aware of the possibility. I also dont think your bowel movements seem regular. When you say you barely go at weekends is that bowel movements? Or urination? Also 2- 3 bowel movements in a day is excessive no?

I'm going to the GP again next week for a follow up, and then will likely be referred for a colonoscopy if nothing shows in my stool sample.

Yes on the weekend I tend to not have many bowel movements, and on week days it tends to be 2-3 per day. In the morning I will go once, and then half an hour later will need to go again, and then half an hour later again. It's quite disruptive, but a few of my relatives are the same and they have IBS.

Well if you're a veggie who doesn't eat cereal or eggs, it's just likely to be that.

Either eat a more balanced diet or take a supplement.

Thats excessive in terms of movements. Out of interest have you noticed if they decrease if you are taking ibuprofen? I would really push for colonoscopy but at the same time Id really work on IBS if I could. I was vegetarian for 15 years and it was the unhealthiest I ever was esp in relation to b12 etc.

An update, my stool test showed high levels of inflammation so I've been urgently referred to the gastroenterology department. I'm feeling quite anxious about it all, and worried about needing time off work

I know it's difficult but try not to panic. My friend was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and he is doing well with meds and drastic diet changes. I hope you're seen quickly and things are treatable for you.