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Original poster

Is this 'just' IBS? Will my GP be able to help?

7 replies

augustslipped · 12/08/2023 22:25

I keep having episodes around once a week where I'll get intense stomach cramps in the middle of my abdomen (around my belly button area) when having a bowel movement, and will pass a lot of stool going from a normal consistency to diarrhoea or a mushy consistency. During this I will be drenched in sweat, ringing ears and be close to passing out. Afterwards I feel exhausted and usually need a nap, it doesn't affect my appetite but my stomach will feel a little sensitive after for a day or so. My stool always smells weird when I'm having one of these episodes, it doesn't smell like 'poo', I can't describe it but it smells kind of bitter or chemically.

I've done a food diary and can't find any patterns.

For background last year I had two of these episodes which resulted in blood in my stool, a few months apart. During both episodes I was passing blood for several days. I went to the GP and had high inflammation/calprotectin (1000+) and was referred for a colonoscopy. I had the colonoscopy earlier this year and everything was normal (including biopsies) so the gastroenterologist discharged me. I had a coeliac blood test which was negative.

I want to go back to the GP but I think they will just say it's IBS if my colonoscopy was normal? It's starting to really affect my life as I feel so scared of having one of these attacks when I'm out. I feel so vulnerable and scared when I'm having one, I honestly feel like I'm dying. The idea of having it happen when I'm out of the house makes me so anxious.

OP posts:
soreheadedbear · 12/08/2023 22:37

I don't know the answer. I have a lot of bowel issues too including sudden urgency and rectal bleeding. Seen the GP many times, had two clear colonoscopies in the last 10 years and all I get from the GP is 'ibs and piles, here have some cream.'

The bowel is a massive part of the body and there are many many things that can irritate it. In the absence of a diagnosed cause or an obvious reason, its incredibly hard to go about day to day life with this hanging over you. I'm sorry I have no answers but you're not alone. I would say that cutting back on coffee and booze has helped me a bit but it's not the root cause.

Original poster
augustslipped · 13/08/2023 13:18

soreheadedbear · 12/08/2023 22:37

I don't know the answer. I have a lot of bowel issues too including sudden urgency and rectal bleeding. Seen the GP many times, had two clear colonoscopies in the last 10 years and all I get from the GP is 'ibs and piles, here have some cream.'

The bowel is a massive part of the body and there are many many things that can irritate it. In the absence of a diagnosed cause or an obvious reason, its incredibly hard to go about day to day life with this hanging over you. I'm sorry I have no answers but you're not alone. I would say that cutting back on coffee and booze has helped me a bit but it's not the root cause.

Sorry to hear that you are also having bowel issues, I really sympathise. I don't drink alcohol but I'm going to cut down on my coffee intake to see if that helps

OP posts:
Whatsthepoint1234 · 13/08/2023 15:45

Have you had an MRI/CT? Crohns can sometimes just manifest in the small intestines (mine started off as inflammation in my ileum). I have had similar symptoms with my crohns.

Original poster
augustslipped · 13/08/2023 16:44

Whatsthepoint1234 · 13/08/2023 15:45

Have you had an MRI/CT? Crohns can sometimes just manifest in the small intestines (mine started off as inflammation in my ileum). I have had similar symptoms with my crohns.

No I've not, I've only had a colonoscopy.

I think I will go to the GP and ask for another calprotectin test as that would help see if the inflammation is still ongoing, and then if it is ask if they can investigate the possibility of Crohn's in the small intestine

OP posts:
sweetacheeks · 13/08/2023 16:46

Have you been allergy tested ? 1/10 is coeliac snd most dont know .. whole
Myriad of issues wnd leads to otjer automimmune stuff

Companies online are arouns £70

Original poster
augustslipped · 13/08/2023 16:50

sweetacheeks · 13/08/2023 16:46

Have you been allergy tested ? 1/10 is coeliac snd most dont know .. whole
Myriad of issues wnd leads to otjer automimmune stuff

Companies online are arouns £70

Yeah, I had a blood test for coeliac in January this year which was negative. I'm not sure if there can be false negatives?

OP posts:
slugHell · 13/08/2023 17:12

I have this exact issue, I've had to call for help at points as I've been reduced to vomiting and almost fainted. From research I think it's a vasovagal response, it seems to be more sensitive in some people than others. GP ran various tests and I think it's just IBS. Have you tried OTC medicines like Buscopan? When I saw the GP she prescribed about five different medications to see which one helped. The magic bullet for me was Mebeverine, I take it as soon as I feel an episode coming on and it stops the cramps within a few minutes.

Aside from that, what helped me was cutting out processed foods (especially ice cream, sadly) as I think it's all the additives that set me off. I no longer drink coffee as that was a huge trigger. Stress does bring it on and can't always be avoided but I've tried to fix my sleep schedule and meditate etc which seems to help.

I hope you get it sorted, OP. I've been there and it was awful, I felt so alone as I kept googling symptoms and not finding anything.

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