Bowel stuff

[NeonHalo]

I’ve always had funny bowels. Not sure if related to my hypermobility syndrome but I’ve had loose stools most mornings since I was a teenager (I’m late 30s now). Nothing identified but never properly investigated by GP.

Last 4 weeks I’ve had alternating diarrhoea and constipation across the day. No blood or mucous but cramping which is relieved when I pass wind. I’m also burping a lot out of nowhere!

I’ve ordered a private FIT test as takes weeks to see GP. Family history of colorectal cancer (grandma and great grandma died in their 60s and mum had pre-cancerous polyps in her 50s). I’m so anxious I have bowel cancer! Any advice or similar experiences? Thank you.

I went through a colonoscopy on the nhs, they were able to tell me straight away not cancer (family history Dad, grandma, grandad etc) 11 weeks for other results which didn’t come back as anything as if you can just get random inflammation of the bowel to no known cause. Not interested in taking the pill camera or upper as I don’t suffer heartburn or reflux.

Always said it strange problems only occurred since the fit of miracle coil and it’s not like anyone listened when I tried aged 40 to establish why my periods were all over the place. I just think in the end the change of life can play a role in upsetting the gi tract.

Go and see your GP. There are lot of potential causes of these symptoms, not all
of them as scary as cancer.

Def with seeing GP. My dh got a colonoscopy pretty quick on the nhs recently- in 3 months. Different symptoms, but if they feel they warrant investigation it won’t be too long a wait (he was fine in end, but symptoms alarming).

Thanks all. I appreciate it. I’ll definitely make a GP appointment but hopefully if I can get a negative FIT this week that will ease the anxiety a bit.

Hypermobility, when it impacts gut motility, causes constipation rather than diarrhoea, so that’s another reason to get things checked. There are lots & lots of non-sinister causes for your [escalation in] symptoms so please try not to worry yourself about the maybes.

Thanks @RosaMayBillinghurst I appreciate your kind words. I’ve made a GP appt but it’s not for another few weeks so will wait on private FIT results in the meantime. The diarrhoea has calmed but I’m absolutely full of wind from both ends. Feel like my whole GI system is all over the place.

That’s ok @NeonHalo - it’s stressful when you’re ill, &/or when things change from your usual personal version of not-normal to something else, especially when somehow any symptom you might DuckGoogleBing could be cancer.

Keep talking to us here if it helps - have you a diagnosis of GORD? It’s very common in hypermobile patients - it’s worth asking a pharmacist for advice if you haven’t already as OTC treatments might alleviate some of your symptoms (just keep track of any changes obviously).

I have been a long time lurker on MN but never joined and don't do social media but couldn't ignore your post. My DH had bowel cancer twice with 10 years in between. The second time he was told that he had a faulty gene caused by Lynch Syndrome (a bit like BRAC), which means that people get bowel cancer much younger and it is more likely to come back (and at greater risk of other cancers e.g. stomach). Very recently the NHS has started to test for Lynch syndrome which shows in a blood test. Not all GPs are aware of it. Given your family history there is a possibility that you may have the syndrome and you need a blood test to confirm. Hopefully you will be all clear. If not, then you need an urgent appointment with the GP.
By the way the fact that people don't have classic bowel cancer symptoms isn't the point - it's what is not right for YOU.
Wishing you well

@RosaMayBillinghurst Thanks again for replying. No GORD but isolated episodes of reflux across the years. Again often stress related. I will keep the thread updated with what’s going on as it is helpful to write it down.

@Ianisgreat1 I really appreciate your post. I do hope your DH is doing okay and presumably being regularly screened now. I read about lynch syndrome recently on a BBC news article but it sort of slipped my mind. I will definitely be raising it with my GP when I see them in a few weeks. Thanks for the reminder!

Have a look at SIBO/IMO, it can cause all the symptoms you mention and is common in hypermobile people

I am undergoing investigation for bowel and gut issues right now. I've just had the blood test for coeliac, which meant of course that I had to eat the foods that make me ill.

I can't give you any medical suggestions, but I can suggest something that may make your rumbling bowels more bearable: medicinal charcoal. You can get it from Holland and Barrett. They say 2 capsules 3 xdaily with meals. No. Take two capsules between meals, including before breakfast and after supper. The idea is to get the charcoal to your bowel, where the wind is generated, so that it can absorb the gas. It really works. I've tried it both ways (with and between meal) and between is vastly better.

@FanOhFan oh I’ve read about this on
my internet travels. Do you have it yourself? Is there a way of being tested?

@Dilbertian sorry you’re suffering too. Do you think coeliac is what’s going on for you? Thanks for the recommendation, that’s really helpful 🙂

Yes, I've struggled with it for a long time! Treatable with antibiotics but unless you treat the cause, then it reoccurs (with hypermobility it tends to be caused by slow motility). The NHS are not the best at diagnosing/treating it, but they're getting better

Just wanted to add here I had awful pain from mirena coil for four years which was mistaken for IBS, bowel issues, had so many scans and a colonoscopy and eventually had it removed under general during investigations for endometriosis and the pain disappeared immediately. Seemingly incredibly rare but I had it put back in five years later and the same thing happened unfortunately.!

I will be suffering much less soon, once I've not been eating wheat for a week or so! I doing think I have coeliac. Definitely some fit of wheat intolerance. Possibly some other intolerances as well. But it's a good idea to exclude other problems.

@Dilbertian i hope it gives you some clarity 🙂 (and is worth the suffering!)

My FIT came back today as negative (my score gives me a 1/1000 chance of having bowel cancer) which I will take as a big reassurance whilst I wait for my GP appointment to discuss what happens next. I know this doesn’t mean it’s not bowel cancer but it’s definitely calmed me down a bit.

What fantastic news from your FIT Test @NeonHalo - thanks for letting us know. Will keep my fingers crossed & thumbs held for you.

I have virtually the same issues as you.
I have had IBS and funny bowels since I was 25 (51 now).

Since I hit my late 30’s the symptoms went haywire and are still playing me up on a daily basis. Over the last 5 years I’ve had 2 colonoscopies, a pill camera endoscopy, scans, FIT tests and a bile acid malabsorption scan. Luckily all clear but that still hasn’t helped me understand why I have all these upper and lower gut issues. I did test positive for hydrogen sibo last year but am struggling to deal with that and both my gastroenterologist and dietician have told me to shelve focusing on that in favour of trying to get my gut health to it’s optimum (which is more difficult than it sounds!).

I too have joint hypermobility and I also found out last year I have endometriosis which I’m sure is contributing to everything. I think my hormones are exacerbating my issues too. Peri has not been kind to my gut health.

It’s reassuring you have had a negative FIT test. I pay for one once a year for peace of mind.

Are you under any stress at all op? I have a very stressful life and think that’s contributing to my issues but dealing with that is easier said than done.

I do hope you start to resolve your issues soon. Having gut issues, especially upper and lower, is no fun at all. You have my empathy.

@Cosyautumnnights I’m so sorry to hear it’s been a real battle for you. I’m relieved of course it’s nothing sinister that you’re facing but the day to day management of it must be exhausting. Are you having specialist support to optimise your gut health? It’s so hard to know where to start isn’t it. I hope my GP is prepared to look further at my situation. Thank you for writing.

And yes, sadly it’s been an incredibly stressful year for various reasons which I’m sure is part of the issue. Balancing small children, parents in poor health and a busy NHS job has been quite overwhelming at times!

Thanks so much @RosaMayBillinghurst 🙂

Sometimes bowel symptoms can be exacerbated by low magnesium levels. Maybe try taking a supplement before bed (its also helpful with getting to sleep)and see if it calms things down

But def also go to the GP

I am working with some health profesionals.

I can empathise as I too am part of the sandwich generation. Working, looking after elderly/unwell parents and still have dc at home. It is pretty taxing on our physical and mental health isn't it? I do hope your issues resolve quickly for you. Good luck.

@Cosyautumnnights thank you and you too 🙂

But of course @NeonHalo - juggling health stuff is tiring & it’s hard: good news should always be celebrated.