Worried about cramps & loose stools

Hi freaking out and found myself here.. for the past couple of years i've had cramps on & off down in my right abdomen. Been back and forward to the docs and referred to gynaecology a couple times but everything has came back fine. Yesterday i was back at gynaecology and said again he couldn't see anything and he asked how my bowel habits are to which i answered i go regularly everyday. He then asked if they were formed and i told him they were runny (since looking at the poop chart im definitely a type 6 everyday like clockwork). I'm not sure how long i've been having non formed poops but has been a while can't remember the last time i passed a formed one! He suggested going back to my GP on monday as he thinks the cramping im getting could be related to my bowel. He asked about any weight loss - i am on a diet but the weight has been dropping more quickly according to the scales especially in the last week or so. I feel so silly for not taking my stool changes seriously I just put it down to poor diet, stress etc .. im super worried now. Only 32 with a husband & 2 young children and absolutely terrified! Can anyone recommend what i need to be asking my GP for when i go on Monday? The cramps on my right side come & go there is no frequency can have them 3x in one week or go 3 weeks without them...

 

Any advice greatly appreciated x

  • Hi Kezza,

    Are your stools pale in colour too? If so, it sounds like a problem called steatorrhea, fatty stools, which is caused by malabsorption of food and can cause abdominal pain and lead to weight loss. It can be caused by several different health conditions affecting the bowel or pancreas/biliary system (such as celiac disease, pancreatitis etc). Ask your GP for a referral to a Gastroenterologist - your GP may want a stool sample to check for any deficiency in vitamins & minerals in your stools which will point to malabsorption. Meanwhile, try to follow a low fat diet to see if it makes a difference as this will be another clue when you see a consultant. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient and pancreatitis patient)

  • They're not pale in colour they're still normal maybe slightly darker if anything - but they've been like that for so long I just got used to it & thought nothing off it - i barely eat any fruit or veg at all so just put it down to poor diet! Thanks for the recommendation will defo take your advice and also ask my doctor to be referred thank you

  • Hi lt could be irritable bowel l go from loose to normal back to cramps and diahorrea. I have been like this for years. Last year I had left sided pain and weight loss a colonoscopy showed complex ovarian cysts. After surgery by the gynaecology oncology surgeon who also removed extensive adhesions, the pain gone but my bowels are still rumbling. 
    l take medication for high blood pressure and l think some of them upset my bowel.

    l hope your doctor is able to refer you to the hospital.
    susie

  • I've not had a proper poo as long as i can remember always been 'blobs'. I'll definitely see my doctor 2moro and see what they say - thanks for taking the time to write Susie