Newbie and a tad anxious

Hello all, 

I went to the gp after about 5 months of changed bowel habit, had them tested and blood tests. 

Stool showed I had a high H pylori infection and had 2 weeks of antibiotics. 
some blood detected in stool 

Very low folic acid in blood but iron was fine

zero improvement after antibiotics, in fact I have got considerably worse. 
everything is loose and urgent, cramps, accidents, gassy and I am beyond exhausted etc. 

so another set of tests, and had the results today which showed blood again (it’s not visible to the eye) and my calproctien was over 100

so my GP has referred me to an urgent colonoscopy. 

has anyone had a similar situation? 

never had a colonoscopy either. 
I’m a single mum to two and work full time. So hot to admit it’s freaking me out a bit. 

  • Hi I had a similar situation I had chronic diarrhea for about a month and other symptoms when I went to Docs they did blood tests and fit tests all came back positive ,I was booked in for a colonoscopy and a hysteroscopy which I had ,the colonoscopy was completely pain free they told me on the day they couldn't see anything to worry about which was a big relief ,its just really to make sure there's nothing amiss most people are fine .

  • Hi there, don't get ahead and frighten yourself, sometimes too much information out there.   I am 5 years remission for Breast Cancer and have had Endoscopy and recently, a Hysteroscopy for which I am awaiting results to see if malignnant.   They gave me 2 paracetamol for the pain.    They offer pain relief in nearly all occasions.

  • Hello and thank you for posting

    I am sorry to hear about the symptoms you are having. I imagine this must be a worrying time for you but try not to over think things too much until you know more.

    No one here i'm afraid can tell you what is going on and it really is only the colonoscopy that can give more answers for these symptoms.

    There can be many causes for symptoms and most of the time the reason is less serious than a cancer. You have tested postiive for H Pylori that in itself can cause some rather unpleasant symptoms and antibiotics can also trigger unwanted side effects, so there could be several different things making you feel the way you do.

    Faecal Calprotectin measures inflammation in the bowels and so is checked by doctors for the possibility of an inflammatory bowel disease.

    If and when microscopic (not visible to the naked eye) blood is found in stools of a certain level through a stool sample called the fit test (faecal immunochemical test) then people are invited for a colonoscopy ( camera passed through the back passage to look in the bowel) so that the bowel can be checked out further.

    Inflammatory bowel conditions such as irritable bowel, crohn's and colitis can cause bleeding, changes to bowel habits and tummy pain and these can be picked up by a colonoscopy as well as other things. 

    There is more information about having a colonoscopy and what to expect here. It isn't unusual for some tissue samples ( biopsies) to also be taken during the examination, so don't be surprised if they do this.

    Hopefully you will know more soon but feel free to get back in touch if you have more questions or want to talk things through. the helpline is also open weekdays 9-5 on 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes,

    Naomi