Hello, I've been suffering with bowel problems for ages & am starting to get really fed up with it all. I would be really grateful if anyone has any advice or ideas of what it could be.
It started at the beginning of April, I had diarrhoea (which was just like water) every day, several times a day. This lasted for six weeks, I felt very weak and ill and lost quite a lot of weight. (I am 5ft11 and did weigh about 10st7, I am now 9st3).
I went to my GP several times, they sent me for blood tests and a stool sample. The stool sample came back clear, the blood tests showed that my white blood cell count was too high.
The GP said I needed an urgent referral to a gastroenterologist and she would fax the referral and I would hear in about a week. (This was at the beginning of May).
I didn't hear anything and have phoned and been back to the GP many times but the hospital is apparently so busy and they have so many people waiting that they can't give me an appointment at the moment and can't say when it will be. I have tried the nhs choose and book system and no other hospitals in the area (I am in London) have any appointments until the end of August, when I am on holiday anyway.
The constant diarrhoea eventually stopped, however I now have days when I am so bloated and constipated & I just can't go, some days I have to run to the loo and it's very explosive and others where I have diarrhoea and am on the loo all day. At the moment I am so bloated I feel like I have a balloon in my stomach.
I have also been getting one or two migraines a week, indigestion, reflux, hiccups several times a day, numb fingertips and palpitations. My periods have been lasting much longer and are much heavier than they used to be. (I'm 37) I have also felt faint a few times and had to sit down quickly so I don't pass out. I feel tearful and really down all the time, I'm normally a happy person. DS (10) said to me yesterday that I used to be fun before I was ill but I'm not any more!
I have made another appointment to see the GP later today, someone suggested I should ask for a blood test for coeliac disease?
I'm sorry this is so long and boring, well done if you are still reading! I would be very grateful if anyone can help. Thank you.