Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 11 replies
  • Views 28712 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Change in symptoms of suspected IBS. Feel like I'm dying.

Lj98
Offline

Hi everyone, I've never posted before but I'm at breaking point after suffering tummy troubles (mostly pain, constipation, trapped wind type pain, severe sickening cramping every morning of my life), for 10yrs now. I'm only 24yrs old, I've had a colonoscopy 1.5yrs ago which was all clear and 18 biopsies all clear except for some slight oedema around ileocecal valve (specialist never seemed concerned). I've had a laparoscopy to check for endometriosis, mris, ultrasounds, stool and blood work, you name it I've had it and all that's ever found it some slight inflammation. 

 

Fast forward to now, last month I began having severe diarrhea for 2 weeks straight, couldn't eat, felt nauseous beyond description, dizzy, weak etc., went to hospital pulse was 158bpm so had checks on heart all normal and was put down to severe anxiety. Now I'm on propranolol my heart rate is better and I felt great for 3 weeks, all symptoms cleared except usual morning pain, appetite went through the roof, and now bang its all back again. Diarrhea (not as bad as last time, however has woke me up last night), nausea, weakness, pain, gurgling tummy. My partner insists its ibs triggered by my period, but because I'm usually backed up this diarrhea and feeling so unwell just seems abnormal for me. I've had stool samples to check for inflammation, white blood cells, bacteria and bloods done at the the hospital the last time I had the diarrhea and all came back clear. As I've only had a colonoscopy 1.5yrs ago am I safe to relax about cancer? I've got a small bowel mri end of this month, which I have had before and they discovered an extra piece of bowel, again they didn't seem worried or bothered by that. But this time my mri is fasted so maybe they missed something last time? Sorry for the long post, I've tried to include everything so that people with experience could maybe put my mind at rest about cancer because I am a huge sufferer of anxiety and I am convinced I'm going to die. I can't live like this anymore. I have no life, no job, nothing. Any help or reassurance please reach out I'd be so grateful. If you've got this far you're a superstar. X

Parents
  • Offline

    Hi

    i just read your post and I think you have severe health anxiety.  This is your illness and I believe it needs treating with medication and therapy.  I really feel for you because anxiety can create all the symptoms you talk about.  Diarrhea, stomach cramps, racing pulse, feeling like you're going to die sound like anxiety which is out of control.

    Health anxiety is no joke and you need to take it seriously.  You've had a clear colonoscopy and your chances of getting any kind of cancer are very low.  You need to stop having tests and googling.  Please get yourself some help for the terrible anxiety- I promise you that from what you've written this is what you have - health anxiety.

     

    sending you love and hope.

Reply
  • Offline

    Hi

    i just read your post and I think you have severe health anxiety.  This is your illness and I believe it needs treating with medication and therapy.  I really feel for you because anxiety can create all the symptoms you talk about.  Diarrhea, stomach cramps, racing pulse, feeling like you're going to die sound like anxiety which is out of control.

    Health anxiety is no joke and you need to take it seriously.  You've had a clear colonoscopy and your chances of getting any kind of cancer are very low.  You need to stop having tests and googling.  Please get yourself some help for the terrible anxiety- I promise you that from what you've written this is what you have - health anxiety.

     

    sending you love and hope.

Children
  • Offline in reply to caro22

    Thank-you so much for taking the time to reply, myself and my doctors are aware I do have extreme health anxiety which I've self referred myself for therapy for. The propranolol was also helping for the 3 weeks that I was feeling well again after my last episode of diarrhea. But now all of a sudden its all back again. Just baffling really as I know anxiety can cause these symptoms, but I was doing better than I've done in years and wasn't feeling stressed really at all so for it to suddenly flare up again is really strange. I was fine, then whilst doing the washing up Thursday morning the room started spinning and I had an upset tummy again, then all my other symptoms came back and I'm still like it today. Being woken up through the night with diarrhea and cramps and nausea, my propranolol don't seem to be working anymore either. Just don't know how to cope anymore whilst I wait for professionals to help with counselling. Think it doesn't help that all you seem to hear lately is terrible illnesses being missed after people have undergone the same testing as me and then it becomes too late. Its so easy to slip into thinking the same has happened to me. I just want to live a normal life, I'm stuck at home 24/7 because I can't be away from the bathroom and I feel too weak and sick to leave the house. I lost my uni degree, my career plans, everything. It really needs more awareness and help xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.