10 years of bowel issues

[EmbarrassedToBeEmbarassed]

I feel so ridiculous for having to post here, and also a bit lonely because I'm turning to anonymous strangers rather than friends.

Coming up 10 years (started after first DC) I have had issues with bleeding after a bowel movement, it varies in how bad it is. Occasionally it turns the toilet water red (very few times) but I regularly have bleeding when I wipe.

4 years about I went to the GP and had a few appointments and a stool test, they didnt find anything (no piles or tears they could see and actual stool didnt have blood) and I was supposed to follow up but life just distracted me and I didn't.

It's now coming up to 10 years, I've also started to notice there is mucus sometimes. I have a GP appointment on Monday to have the coil fitted so I'm going to raise it then, but also worried I will chicken out. Ive no idea why but I just think I'm embarrassed about the delay which is entirely my fault and a fear that it is something serious.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm posting here, maybe just for conversation or encouragement to follow up.

Blood and mucus can be an indicator for inflammatory bowel disease. Have a look at the Crohn's and Colitis UK website - they have a symptom checker which can generate a letter to show your GP if you tick off enough of the symptoms. If it is this there are plenty of treatment options available.

I know it can be scary going to the dr but whatever is going on it's much better to get a diagnosis as then you can start focusing on treatment and hopefully starting to feel better. Good luck.

Thankyou. I did it there so will give me a starting point with the GP xx

Are your stools normal? Sorry if that is upfront but that is first thing GP will ask, I have Crohn's disease x

@baddecisions11 a bit hard but rarely loose which is what I would associate with crohns but I never considered it so don't really know anything about it.