And here's my full story.
My first child turned just 1 when I got pregnant again in Oct 23. By mid Dec 23, I had nasal polyps which caused nose blockage (don't stop, read on for haemorrhoids diarrhea etc). I tried otc decongestants for nasal polyps which didn't help. Repeated runs to the clinic with no help, I was told that it's Jan and cold so it's normal!!! Finally in Feb 24 I was prescribed a steroid based decongestant which helped fix noise blockage. But then I got diarrhea!!
By end of Feb I was going to the loo at least 6 times a day. To worsen right after 5 days of diarrhoea I started to bleed from back passage with bad nausea and vomiting. I rushed to the clinic where the doctor said it's not getting better any time soon and advised diet. Again after few days as diarrhoea and bleeding were worse I went to the clinic who fwd me to A&E. The A&E simply dismissed all my suffering. Again, after few days I went to another clinic where the doctor referred me to a stool test for IBD which came negative. Still suffering from diarrhoea and heavy bleeding from back, I called 111 who sent me to A&E. 5+ months pregnant with over night chilly stay at A&E with 1 year old, the surgeon finally checked me. Finger test and confirmed it is external haemorrhoids which should get better after pregnancy and gave me glucose drip and advised electrolytes (salts). By now I am also gestational diabetic!!
Things for worse and later in May'24 I went to private specialist. They helped me with gastro specialist who did external telescopic check (piroscopy) and confirmed grade 1/2 internal haemorrhoids. Advised diet control. And also advised that haemorrhoids is quite common pregnancy issue, and diarrhea is because of bowel movements. I carried on losing blood everyday everytime. I was slowly losing weight. My weight pre pregnancy was 52kg which by June was about 45kg.
I made a mistake of accepting it was haemorrhoids and bloody stools causing blood loss and nausea and vomiting which did not let me eat anything added to weight loss. I was more concerned now about baby's growth. Repeated scans always dotted my baby growth on borderline adding more to anxiety.
Finally as the days neared the D-date, I was more eager but also concerned if the baby was doing fine all the time. GTT worsened with little to no rest during my visits to the antenatal. Diabetic midwives, some were really helpful but some didn't care.
End of July'24, I almost delivered the baby normally but as the baby breached at the last minute I had a C section. God's grace, thankfully the baby is all healthy and well above average weight. I was discharged the next day.
First 10 days post partum, I was doing great. Able to eat, walk and do what not. I thought all my problems were gone like a breeze. But then, they were all back to once and hard. I started with diarrhea and heavy blood in the poo. Severe nausea and vomiting didn't let me eat anything. My feet are swollen. My heartbeat was above normal. I felt chills and had fever from time to time. My GP sucked. I called 111 who sent me to A&E on Aug 7th. There were only about 5 patients but still I had to wait almost 10 hours to get my Blood tests done and seen by a surgeon. The surgeon this time helped referral for a gastro pre assessment appointment in mid of September (which I had to repeatedly call the hospital appointments to get that booked).
Fast forward, I am bed ridden by 18 Aug. With about 2 year old and a new born, I was fluctuating in moods, depressed and to worsen I am only about 38kgs now. I thought my days are near.
Last hopes, again I went to a private specialist on Aug 24th who helped perform Thyroid function tests including blood tests and a CT scan of the stomach and bowel areas.
It appears I have hyperthyroidism and minor haemorrhoids. The CT scans were normal (no internal bleeding).
I am now administered with potassium and sodium chlorides to pump up electrolytes in my body. I am waiting for the next steps to treat hyperthyroidism and diarrhea.
Lessons learnt: it is not always haemorrhoids, and it is not always every doctor gets it right. Don't stop until you actually feel alright (physically and mentally).