Excessive bowel movements and other symptoms.

[PoorlyPoop]

Have name changed for this.

So, I have noticed I am having multiple bowel movements a day. When I eat, I need to poo within about 30-60 minutes and generally they are loose - Type 6 or 7 on the stool chart.

I've always been a fairly frequent pooper (daily, maybe twice some days) and had quite a sensitive stomach (certain foods give me cramps and diarrhea etc) but now this is happening just with me eating standard foods and some days I guess I am having about six bowel movements.

I also have a lot of joint pain. To the point where folding washing aches my shoulders and arms excessively.
I had put this down to Peri-menopause, but now with the bowel issues too, I'm wondering if something more is going on.

If I go to the doctors, what do I need to request test wise?

Last year I had a B12 deficiency and my body didn't absorb the tablet medication, I ended up getting B12 injections. My levels were then acceptable again so they ceased.

I guess what I'm trying to say is..could there be a bigger picture here?

All I know is I feel exhausted and sore most of the time 😥 Thanks

It could just be perimenopause, are you on HRT?
I'd keep a diary of your symptoms, and check you're not losing weight as well. Christmas is a stressful time and lots of rich foods don't help with bowels.
If it continues, I'd then ask the GP for a calprotectin test, this is basically a stool sample to see if there's anything more going on.

No I'm not on HRT.

In all honesty I didn't eat much differently over Christmss, but it just seems that regardless of what I eat it is going through me ☹️

This morning I had weetabix. I've already had 3x bowel movements today and it's only 8.45am.

And yes I've started a diary now to see if theres a pattern, or to be able to show the doctor if it comes to that

Doctor.

Why would menopause make you shit?!

In your diary are you noting down the food you eat?

You abs

You don't need to request any specific tests; just tell the GP your new symptoms (what you have written above is fine) and they will know what tests to offer. Seems odd to be asking strangers on Mumsnet when your GP has undergone years of training for the role. Good luck - definitely needs to be investigated.

You absolutely need to see a doctor and can’t possibly put this down to perimenopause. The excessive bowel movements plus the joint pains would make me wonder about an inflammatory disease. A referral to Rheumatology perhaps? But a GP would be the best person to decide on the most appropriate referral. You don’t have to see a doctor with a diagnosis in mind. Just present your symptoms. That’s what they’re there for.

Because you have no progesterone in your body. Progesterone bungs people up. Prior to menopause, my bowel movements were normal, if a little slow. After, regular as clockwork. Then I went on HRT (contains progesterone of course) and now have to eat a lot of prunes to get things going!

Lots of women on HRT complain about constipation, so it makes sense that OP's situation might be helped by HRT. Worth a try, surely,?

Thank you all.

I guess my reason for asking was just some reassurance that it's doctor-worthy.

As women I think we're pretty used to being told everything is nothing/menopause/anxiety.

I've only just started the diary but yes I am writing down foods too.

With respect, symptoms like that should be checked out properly by a clinician. Not everything is the menopause. And an internet forum is not the place to get advice. There are several differential diagnoses, one of which is something much more sinister going on in your bowel. Please go to a GP.

What does this mean? Sorry I am fairly new to MN so if this is MN slang, I'm not clued up

Ha sorry I just realised you posted further down, so just hit send before you'd finished. Clearly I need a coffee (that will definitely make me shit)

You need to see a doctor. Outline all that you are going through. They should do a calprotectin test [ looks for inflammation ], not just a standard stool sample. They should do bloods to check out your levels.

With symptoms like that they may well put you on the two week referral. This doesn't necessary indicate cancer, but it does get you seen quicker than normal.

My son has crohns . I have bile acid malabsorption, very similar symptoms to IBD without the inflammation. I was sent to the two week pathway due to my symptoms and this is when they found the BAD.

Please see your doctor.

The digestive system is a mystery to most ordinary people, but a GP will start investigations into the possible cause.

Even the poo test isn't 100% conclusive, so be prepared for bloods and maybe other procedures.

The problem can be related to certain medications you take which your body suddenly finds too strong after a while.

This is familiar. Ask for a gluten test. Everything you’ve listed can be symptoms of celiac disease, esp. the low b12 because the damage to your stomach lining stops you absorbing nutrients and makes you sensitive. Are you hypermobile? I have both - celiac and hypermobility and both are affected by hormones. Pregnancy really made my symptoms worse with each one then when I hit peri, I broke out in a gluten rash and was just ill / sick / nauseous constantly. Don’t have your stomach issues though, celiac can be ‘silent’. Also now have a limit on lactose which if I have too much I’m instantly sick and upset stomach for days- the celiac damage means you can’t digest it and your tolerance gets lower as you get older anyway. The lactose tablets do work though. I’ve only just got my celiac and ehlers danlos diagnosis late40s. Despite having severe symptoms my whole life (I can’t swallow - gluten can affect oesophagus) ive had gastro consultants since I was 16 I eventually diagnosed myself and I was right. I’ve been gluten free for 4 years and it’s changed my life. No longer anaemic either. Shocked at how incompetent so many drs are individually, they don’t think outside their own specialism ie. No gastro ever checked / asked if I have EDS (and it really affects digestion/ swallowing) and it didn’t occur to the rheumatologists to give me a gluten test. Every injury was treated as eg. Just a sprained shoulder / ankle rather than seeing the underlying condition that was causing it. EDS and gluten issues are comorbid conditions. So ask for a double appointment with your GP or if you can afford it, get an hour long private GP appointment which is about £250. You need someone to take a proper holistic medical history and listen to you. Good luck.

You are absolutely justified to see a doctor about this. It fits with coeliac disease imo but I would hope the GP would think of that(!) and a few other differentials. Hopefully you will be feeling much better soon x

Thank you, this is interesting.

When I was B12 deficient, they didn't investigate how/what had caused it. At that time I did do a stool sample but I believe it was just a standard one to check for stomach bugs (e-coli etc) I don't think they've ever queried gluten intolerance.

Thank you. I will definitely see my doctor.

the drop in hormones affects your gut motility

I also was wondering about gluten Try swapping your Weetabix for eg. nuts, porridge or gluten-free granola. This has helped me. But I also find that after sugar and coffee I'm straight to the loo!

I stopped being able to eat gluten in the menopause. Tests were always clear but even a "hidden" amount of gluten or barley upset my stomach.
Menopause has been hell on my stomach and bowels TBH. Had colonoscopy, CT scan, blood tests, endoscopy, stool test etc all clear. It's still not great (several toilet trips today) but I don't get as bloated and it's not as painful.

A bowl of Weetabix would have me sitting through the eye of a needle - I'm lactose intolerant and it has hot worse as I've got older.

Any change in bowel habits warrants a doctors appt if ongoing. I’d make an appointment

Don't stop eating gluten until you've seen your GP and been tested for coeliac!

My diagnosis started with B12 deficiency. I'd always had digestive issues and had been diagnosed at 21 with "spastic colon" which is probably called IBS now.

I'd also started to get joint pain, brain fog (to the extent I was concerned about early on set Alzheimers) and extreme fatigue. All of these symptoms are typical menopause symptoms.
I knew gluten triggered my digestive issues and avoided it as much as possible. My stool test didn't test positive for coeliac. Thankfully my GP was like a dog with a bone and was determined to find what was causing the symptoms. Blood tests showed very low B12, low ferritin and a few other abnormal results. Long story short - after several 2 week pathways looking for a bleeding tumour a colonoscopy revealed several polyps and advanced coeliac disease.
Since going completely gluten free all of my symptoms have cleared up. I wake up free of pain, my energy levels are high and I no longer struggle to remember people's names 2 minutes after I've been introduced....

Sorry -- long story to advise not to exclude gluten until you've seen your GP. If I'd been eating gluten at the time of my blood test I would have had a result 12 months' earlier and not wasted NHS resources on expensive tests.

Good luck - hope they find out what's going on with you.