Hi what was your out come

Hi i have Pan Colitis....Ulcerative colitis of the entire bowel x

So glad to hear that you've found out. Must be a load off your mind :happy: 

I think I'm reading into everything at the minute but I should be able to switch off from it over the weekend. Thanks for chatting, it helps to hear how others in my position are doing too. 

One thing I can't find an answer on:

As they're running a test on my stool sample, what is it they're looking for? Any online info about these tests just seems to say they are looking for hidden blood as this could be a symptom of something serious, but they obviously already know there's blood... so what else does this test look for? 
 

Hi, I was told they are looking for bacteria or parasites. Something that disrupts the lining . That's all they told me. Hope that helps. I too looked into everything and by the time I had finished I had got every possible illness. It plays on your mind so much and you worry all day. That stress and worry disturbed my tummy and made me feel sick so I stopped eating and lost weight. It just all snowballed. You were so positive for me and just knowing someone was there who listened was brilliant so thank you.

now I see it's just a process of elimination and I know it takes time but that doesn't help when you are stressed. I'm always here if you need to chat or just tell me what you are feeling, if I can help to reassure you or anything else I will . Try to have a relaxing weekend x

Oh ok thanks. I feel absolutely fine, but the blood is the same amount every time I go. At least it's not getting worse. 
 

Glad to help and same back to you. I'll try switch off now until Monday/Tuesday when I should know stool sample results.

Ok lovey, have a good weekend x

Tried to not think about it over the weekend but much easier said than done. Some moments I felt at ease and not worried at all. Others, I was so scared, couldn't be positive at all. Anyway...

Rang my GP again just now and they finally have my stool sample results (faecal calprotectin). All normal. Similar to getting my blood test results I felt a weight was lifted but not 100% as my symptoms have remained the same. Still blood and mucus in about the same amounts every time I have a bowel movement. Also notice little black bits which other times I thought were bits of food like blueberries. This was backed up when I stopped eating blueberries and then stopped seeing them, but I saw them this morning and not sure what food they could've been from yesterday. I'm going to eat all plain foods today and check again tomorrow morning.

I asked the doctors what the next step would be now these results have come back normal but symptoms have remained, she said I'd need to book another consultation if I want to discuss next steps, so I will have to call back in the morning.

I would guess that based on my normal blood and stool results, they'd say this just increases the likelihood of it being a hemorrhoid or fissure, and they may recommend that I take fibre supplements, laxatives etc. And to call back after a certain amount of time if it doesn't clear up. I don't know, I'm only guessing there. They may offer me to have sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy if I push for it.

I can breath a bit easier today knowing they've found nothing to worry about. Could be able to put this all behind me if the blood starts to disappear soon. Fingers crossed!

How have you been over the weekend?

Hi, it's great news everything has come back normal. This was the same as me. The only reason I had a colonoscopy was to check for fissures etc. The very small polyps was the problem. It is not of high concern to them so I feel more calm now. Be strong. I was told to eliminate tests one by one which is what they did. Blood scares me so much but now I know the cause I'm ok. Please don't worry, let's keep positive. It's not easy to do but I will be here to support you. Sorry I didn't answer straight away. I think you might be right about the blueberry thing. I too ate something eg rice and they could be seen. I ate soups for a week, but when I spoke to the specialist he said eat and drink normally and document it. Together we will get through this, please don't worry xx

Thanks, I have been feeling so much better in terms of worrying today. I'm much more confident that it's nothing serious but I'll continue asking for doctors advice and chasing things up until the bleeding has stopped. Might just happen on its own in the next week or so. Still no pain or discomfort. Will see what they say when I ring tomorrow.

Yes keep asking the questions until you are satisfied. Keep positive. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about at all, it probably is something like a fissure. For me it's a tiny polyps in an awkward position. Nothing sinister at all and I'm grateful. I was told that if bloods are clear take it as a positive. I'm here whenever you need to chat. Keep thinking positive thoughts. X

Thanks for all your support :)

Thanks for all your support :)

Anytime x if you need support I'm here. I know what it's like to have little support so if I can help I will xx

Had another consultation over the phone just now with my GP. She said it's obviously good news that my results are normal as you would likely see raised calprotectin levels with something that was inflaming the bowel, such as an IBD or something sinister, and my levels are well within normal amounts.

She said I should hear from the rectal bleed referral service before 8th Feb but I have a number to call if they don't call me before then to book a sigmoidoscopy. 
 

Would be good to find out it was something non serious so I can move on. Will be very nervous when the date comes for sigmoidoscopy however, but I need to try to focus on the positives of the normal test results and the lack of other worrying symptoms.

It's great news that there isn't anything sinister. I'm so happy for you . That's a positive result. Try not to worry especially because you have had negative results and that's great. You are on the home stretch. Be strong, I'm here. I think you will be ok xxxx 

Yeah, still nervous but would be much more so if those results hadn't been as good. Thanks again 

Anytime x always here x keep positive and strong 

I feel like at times i have a bit of discomfort in lower left abdomen. Have felt this before but passed it off as trapped wind or just overthinking, but I feel I've had this feeling most of the day now. No pain, sort of feels a bit like a stitch, or trapped gas/unempty bowels, but could be some form of something in bowels. Again, a bit worried, but just reminding myself of the odds in my favour with the normal calprotectin levels.

Did you have any similar feeling to this?

Yes I was told it could be a touch of irritable bowel because they looked at my ct scan and they couldn't see anything. I seem to get spasms in the tummy above the belly button that no one can name. They mentioned many ideas but the tests showed nothing. Since the colonoscopy I've had two stools both with a little blood and mucus and they said it's due to the polyps. I have to say the scan put my mind at ease as it showed nothing at all. But the spasms make me panic a little. I have normal gas and I'm eating well but get spasms and it's a pain but I can't explain it only trapped wind because all the tests are clear. Honestly sometimes I feel I'm mad lol x

Exactly. You feel like you're analysing every little feeling because you don't want to miss a symptom that might be important, but that can cause you to overthink which makes things worse! 
 

Yep definitely over thinking im Sure of that 

thank you 

stay safe and strong 

I think we are all so worried we are all overthinking things. Between us we will get through this and be strong for each other. We have to be positive even if some days seem bleak. My husband was trying to be positive too but partly he thought he was helping and partly he was trying to convince himself because he's no good without me lol x I was grateful for his positive thoughts but I'm so glad I have you two 

let's support each other and stay strong x