IBS or something else?

[Vivi0120]

I have always had some sort of bowel issue usually constipation but in the last month I have been under a lot of stress and going to the toilet every day which is not typical. Then on Friday I had to go multiple times and on Saturday I was producing mucus only nothing else when I had an urge to go. Today the mucus is gone but I need to go to the toilet every 30 minutes and what comes out is pretty hard like constipation consistency.

I spoke to a GP they said they can't diagnose without tests so now I'm waiting for blood tests but I'm wondering has anyone had anything like this and what might help?

I went on low fodmap diet since Saturday but not sure this is best. No idea what to eat. Any suggestions? I have oats and strawberry for breakfast, squash soup lunch and chicken and tomatoes for dinner. Does this sound OK?

My stomach is gurgling and I have period like pains.

Help!

Does sound like my IBS when I have milk (mucous production is particularly related to dairy). And yes stress makes it worse.

Still worth having tests though to rule out anything else.

I have had this for a few days ,colicky pain ,explosive loose stools and today a smear of blood and a bit mucousy . Shall give it another day or so and then contact GP if no better.

I went to the doctor and they did a FIT test and the result for calprotectin came back as over 1000. I'm freaking out.

My symptoms got better so I thought it was just something stress related or a tummy bug but with this result I don't know what to think.

I'm getting a referral for a colonoscopy. :(

Anyone with such high levels?

@Vivi0120 My calprotectin came back as >2000 last week. Because I'm old and had been passing blood/mucus I got fast tracked under a 2 week wait for a colonoscopy that I had last Monday - it showed colitis and took biopsies to differentiate what type and then I assume what treatment

Thank you spiggydit. This is what my doctor suspects based on my symptoms as well. Hoping it's nothing worse than that.

Hope you arenfeeling better and they are treating your symptoms!

Have you been on any antibiotics? I was like you but realised I had been on multiple courses of antibiotics for about 18 months. I started taking pre & probiotics & after a couple of months, I'm back to normal. Mine was so bad that every time I put any food in my mouth, I was running to the toilet.

I haven't taken any ab.

I’ve had 3 calprotectin tests this year
first was over 300 with normal fit test
after re-test it was over 2000 and I had a colonoscopy
it was clear and I had another one 2 months later which was 7! 🤷‍♀️
I have no bowel issues now except for v occasional diarrhoea and GP is not concerned.
I have acid reflux though so my system isn’t back to ‘normal’ . still having tests for this.

Seeds are really irritating to the bowel if you do have something like ulcerative colitis. So I would cut out the strawberries and tomatoes for a while.

Ya I get the impression this test is not absolutely correct so I take the result with a pinch of salt.

Obviously there is something wrong so I'm waiting for the colonoscopy it will be in 2 weeks.

I have cut down in foods that bloat me like cauliflower beans and brocoli I feel really bad after eating those.

I have eaten a lot of tomatoes recently so I really hope they are fine. I will try to cut them down just in case.

Or try removing the seeds, if fresh tomatoes. (Although the seeds are the best bit!)

You probably don't want to entirely overhaul your diet before the colonoscopy, in case you magically heal yourself and they don't reach a diagnosis.

I have Ulcerative Colitis and if I'm flaring or my symptoms start worsening, I cut out/ down on seeds and leaves like salads/ leafy veg as they stick to the gut.

Before I knew this, one of my worst episodes was triggered/ exacerbated by starting a diet involving a daily morning smoothie with lots of berries, seeds and oats. Once I realised, I was able to get on top of the flare and into remission.

Thank you. This actually makes sense. I also felt worse when eating lettuce.

Is eating sort of try and figure out or its sort of universal rules?

Also, is UC one of those where the condition and flare ups depends on every person?

I don't have diarrhea I usually am constipated so this confuses me as I read UC is associated to loose stool.

I had issues that sound similar to yours last year, except I was also experiencing visible blood in the mucus. My calprotectin came back somewhere above 3000 and a colonoscopy diagnosed me with Ulcerative Colitis (proctosigmoiditis rather than the whole colon). I have been taking mezalazine suppositories since then and haven't had any real issues since.

I don't know huge amounts about it, but the Crohn's and Colitis UK website is really helpful for understanding a bit more about things. I really hope you get some answers and effective treatment soon.

@Winglessvulture, Thank you! I also hope all will be well. I keep hoping it's just stress but if it's anything else I'm sure it's better to know now and deal with it. :)

Just a quick update. Nothing was seen on colonoscopy so diagnosed with IBS.

Thanks for the update. Hopefully the diagnosis is a relief and that your symptoms improve soon.