Bowel symptoms

[Justworried5]

As my new username says, I'm just worried. I know that no-one can give me any answers and I need to seek medical support but I'm scared. I've had the pots in my bag for a stool sample for two weeks now 😔.

In mid January I developed constipation. I put it down to being busy, travelling and just the stresses of life. I was also very nauseous and struggled to eat. Spoke to GP mid Feb who recommended Laxido. This did help I started going to the toilet roughly every three days. Still felt very sick and had discomfort in my diary. Called my GP back after two weeks as instructed. Explained constipation was slightly better, sickness still the same and I had lost 10kg since mid Jan (so about 6 weeks at this point). Don't get me wrong, I have the weight to lose.

GP sent me for blood tests and stool samples. I've done the blood tests, nothing particularly of note, but I haven't done the stool sample; partially because I think it's going to be tricky to collect and because I think I'm scared of possible results. 3 members of my immediate family died of pancreatic cancer in their 40s, 50s and early 60s. I know if it's that, the prognosis is ridiculously poor.

I'm back to going to the toilet daily but also have haemorrhoids now so it's uncomfortable. The feeling of sickness and tummy pain is mostly gone apart from the occasional day. But I'm still losing weight at around 0.5kg every two days. I'm also tired most of the time.

I think the point of this post is I just need to air my thoughts out loud.

You need to do the poo sample. You only need a tiny amount. You can crap into a throw away bowl over the toilet then just use gloves and scoop a tiny bit into the pot.

Is there a chance you have a food intolerance? Does certain eating patterns exacerbate it?

I take docusate which is a stool softener. That really helps keep movements regular and comfortable. I'm prescribed that because I take opiate pain relief. So maybe try that?

I hope you feel better x

The stool sample is really easy to do and you have to do it. Earlier caught, easily cured. Big girl pants on, you can do this

If it is something bad then getting the results earlier will have better outcomes for you. Please don't wait because it feels complicated and the find out that an easier fix becomes harder. It's not difficult to collect, but even if you get it wrong, you can do it again. The professional have seen it all before.

I know, thank you. I appreciate your kind but sensible words.

Taking a stool sample is not fun nor glamorous, I understand (done a good few) but if you use a tupperware tub in the toilet bowl to go in and then wear gloves it's quite easy to get the sample as you only need a tiny amount in each pot.

In terms of the results, I sympathise because every time I have to do them I get very anxious as well anticipating the results BUT I have to (and do) just suffer through the anxiety because logically I know that if it does turn out to be something sinister then I need to know as soon as possible and so do you.

It's a good sign that you're now going daily again and that the sickness is easing. You may still be losing weight if you're not back up to your normal calorie intake pre-January when this started?

Pancreatic cancer is not usually picked up or investigated via stool samples. If your sample comes back with trace amounts of bloods or high inflammation you'll be sent for a colonoscopy for your bowel, they'll not check your pancreas. If you want your pancreas checked it would need to be an ultrasound or CT scan.

Thank you for all of your words of wisdom and encouragement. I got my act into gear and dropped off my samples this morning.

Well done OP! The yucky part is over, now a few days of anticipation to wait for the results but just try to keep yourself distracted as possible.

Results have been super speedy. Received a text from GP to book an appointment which I've done for next Tuesday which was the earliest.

Looked on the NHS app and test results are there. Positive for Helicobacter.

So glad you didn't have to wait long! I find the anticipation of the results the worst part for me. Now you can get the treatment and hopefully start to feel better.