Mucus in stool. Really worried

Hi, I’m a 27 year old female who suffers with healthy anxiety really bad! I have had mucus in the past but not as on and off as I have for the past 4 months! When I eat I get stomach pains like I need to go the toilet and when I drink tea or water i do also, also if I vape? They’re not very painful but I notice them because I never used to get them. The mucus is orange/yellow or sometimes but hardly clear/white. It’s not with every single bowel movement I have mucus, but it is quite often. I am recovering from an eating disorder too so I don’t know if that’s linked but I am worried sick because it’s still a change in bowel habit. I poop 3 times a day sometimes 4 and they are formed stools sometimes quite big sometimes smaller and thinner but not diarrhoea. It’s the bigger stool actually that doesn’t have mucus on? I have had 2 negative fit tests, a negative calprotectin test and 2 lots of normal bloods yet I am still worried because I keep thinking I’m going to be the unlucky one where the tests have missed something. I have gained weight in my anorexia recovery to above the underweight zone so I am trying to tell myself if anything was wrong I wouldn’t of been able to gain weight. If I had anything wrong would I not be able to gain weight? And can anyone tell me the odds of 2 negative fit tests and normal bloods twice being wrong? I am reading horror stories online that only a colonoscopy can detect Ibs. I am on waiting list to be seen by the GI doctors in the hospital but the receptionist has told me it will months because I’m not urgent. I am worried out of my mind and I just need to know for certain there is nothing sinister wrong with me that’s causing my symptoms. Thankyou x

  • Hello there

    I am sorry to hear you have health anxiety and how this has been interfering with your every day life

    I'm afraid no one here can say what the symptoms you are experiencing are being caused by. However irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) is a very common condition that affects many people and can also cause the symptoms you have. There is more information about this here.

    We usually suggest if people have any worrying or ongoing symptoms to get them checked out by their GP. As you have already had some tests done and have been referred to the GI clinic I assume your doctor is already aware. Do let your doctor know if the symptoms are getting worse or you remain worried. They can also help you to find strategies to help manage health anxiety. 

    It is reassuring the tests you have had so far have come back negative. If these have also been repeated with similar results it is unlikely they are wrong, so please try not to over think things if you can.

    As you are also recovering from an eating disorder this can sometimes trigger tummy problems as everything tries to get back to normal, so be kind to yourself. It sounds like you are getting on well and gaining some weight which is good news, so do keep going and ask for the ongoing help and support you may need with this.

     I hope you can get some peace of mind soon and that you start feeling better in yourself soon.

    Best wishes

    Naomi