If I were you I would opt for a comprehensive stool analysis that uses Pcr technology which will check you for parasites, bad bacteria and fungal overgrowth along with a whole list of other things. Geneva diagnostics do it but it ain’t cheap at I think 365 roughly.best of luck

Hi I'm going through the same and awaiting the full colon scan and ct scan. Hope u ok 

Have you looked up BAM bile acid malformation, similar to IBS & crone's connected to gall stones/gall bladder? IBS is often misdiagnosed BAM

Hi - sorry to hear you’ve been feeling less than 100%.

I’m wondering if you’ve been sent for a scan at all? Might be worth pushing for, just to be sure. 

Have them check for any upper GI issues (pancreas/digestion) etc., as this can affect gas and cause discomfort etc.

Dont be dismissed by your GP - your health is important. Hopefully you’ll get some answers and put your mind at rest.

good luck x

I had loud gurgling noises after eating (looking back) from age 41. This coincided (again, looking back) with a change in bowel movements, which became looser and more frequent (particularly in the morning and after eating). However, I put everything down to a touch of mild IBS. Three years on, at age 44, I had a pain up and across from my belly button along with black, tarry stools. I booked a GP appointment but by the time I saw my GP the pain had gone, as had the black, tarry stools. Despite telling the GP that I'd eaten beetroot around that time and had pulled a muscle in my tummy a few months ago, the GP ordered numerous tests, including blood tests, stool tests, ultrasound and a gastroscopy. All tests were fine and I was told I had a clean bill of health. Six months later, I was getting extremely breathless after exercise, very tired, and was getting heart palpitations. Thinking I had heart problems (my Dad did in his mid 40s), I booked an ECG. The results were textbook perfect, but my health issues remained. Two weeks later, my mother-in-law said I may be anaemic and, after asking Dr Google what anaemia was, concluded that she might be right. (After all, there's a first for everything...)! I took myself down to A&E for a blood test, expecting to be sent home with a prescription for some iron tablets, and was immediately admitted. My Hb (haemoglobin) level was 40 (they transfuse at 70) and I was given three units of blood that night, along with an iron infusion. I was given a CT scan, which showed that I had colon cancer, which was confirmed by colonoscopy (the one test my GP didn't order 6 months prior). Turned out that the tumour had become perforated, hence the rapid blood loss.

I was operated on within three weeks. Cancer had spread to the local lymph nodes and also to my omentum (I've discovered parts of the body I didn't know existed)! I've since undergone 8 rounds of chemotherapy and am waiting to hear whether they want to put me in for HIPEC treatment.

Anyway, the reason for my post is to encourage anyone with a change of bowel habits to get it checked out. I'm a 45 year old male, never smoked, don't drink much, a little overweight but generally fit and have run a couple of marathons. I shouldn't have got bowel cancer, but I did and so can you. Treatment for bowel cancer leads to an excellent prognosis if caught early. My prognosis would undoubtedly have been better had I gone to the GP and been diagnosed 4 years ago. If your symptoms sound like mine, don't delay. See your GP. Insist on a colonoscopy. Really! Best wishes to you all. 

Luke 

xx

Just read your post and I hope to God you are on the mend, so sorry to hear what you are going through, i will be adding you to my prayers. 

I currently still have no diagnosis at all, went to see the specialist and he over spoke me everytime I tryed to speak and then walked off and sent his secutery in to tell me I have to have blood test and stool test that wS it, I couldn't even explain my symptoms, I walked out crying.  I am now back to square 1, I hope and pray I get some answers soon, I can see my having to go through the whole process again fir a third time. I even payed for my own mri scan privately but that only showed gallstones and they don't think gallstones is my issue, I wish I could go private but now my health as pushed my out of work I have no chance it took my 4 month save for the mri scan that 750 pounds.

Any way I hope and pray you have been given the all clear. 

Kind regards 

Dawn 

Hi, I have only just seen this post as I lost the link to this site and came back a coss it by accident, I am still in the same boat and have even saved up 750 pounds and payed for a private mri scan but nothing showed up only gallstones and I been told they don't think this is my issue. 

I went to see a specialist other day and he didn't let me speak and just over spoke me at every point, I didn't even get the chance to explain my symptoms. 

I'm back to square one, the specialist only orderd bloods and stool sample. I came out the hospital in tears. I'm nearly 3 years and things have got much worse to the point I'm now out of work amd this was my biggest fear, my work was everything to me as I worked with homless charity and also run my own homeless charity as i have been homeless myself and wanted to help others, sorry gone right off track there.

Anyway I am going to try and push the doctors again and try my best to get some answers.

Kind regards 

Dawn 

Hi thank you for your reply. I actually went into hospital for 2 weeks as they thought it might be cancer. Luckily it wasn't, so they said IBS probable but have given me cholestyramine sachets which I have been taking for 3 months. I saw a dietitian last week and she said she doesn't think my symptoms are IBS but fat malabsorption (so bile acid malabsorption)! I'm waiting for another appointment at the hospital with a consultant currently. So, maybe you were right?! :) 

Hi @Dizzydawn

I have very similar issues you yourself.

Did you ever get to the bottom of this. 

I feel like something is growing on the left hand side of my stomach. 

Sitting down i feel it, and also when sleeping.

Please let me know if you solved your issue as i am really worried.

Thank you :)

My goodness! 
Me too. It's really worrying me! 
 

Going to book myself in to the GP this week again but I've been before. Had a colonoscopy and they left it at that as they said all was fine I've had this feeling on my left side for nearly 4 years now, but now I've started having bowel issues as well. 

and now I'm feeling really nauseous all the time and no appetite  

it's such a strange feeling and I can't stop thinking about it 

I hope everyone is okay and finally gets sorted! 
x