Hi what was your out come

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

Hi hoping you don't mind me jumping in.

I've had symptoms since Nov last year.

Daily diarrhea with mucus - this has been persistent and hasn't changed.

I also get a twisting sensation in the lower left side of my tummy. If I bend down it twists so much its excruciating.

I built up the courage to see Dr in March - they took blood and stool samples.

Both came back with an urgent call from my Dr saying I was severely anaemic and have a b12 deficiency. Prescribed me ferrous fumarate, folic acid and I have b12 jabs regularly. 

My stool sample showed high inflammatory markers.

Dr said they would be urgently referring me to gastroenterologist.

I've been back to Dr within last week as I've lost 16lb since Nov - unintentionally and, have found bloody mucus in stool. Stool has turned black but, says could be a side effect of iron tabs I'm on?! 

Dr phoned gastroenterologist to chase urgent referral and was told waiting list is 39 weeks!! 

I'm getting a little anxious now as none of my symptoms have subsided. And, 4 months after my urgent referral, I still haven't had any correspondence. 

Please help put my mind at ease x

Hi All

Just wanted to share my story. I was diagnosed with indeterminate colitis in 2016 aged 21 and was never classified as crohns or ulcerative colitis. Back them the symptoms were much more intense in that I was having chronic diarrhoea. Anyway cut a long story short I was given Pentasa and within 3 weeks it was totally gone. Not to return until...

I had these exact symptoms starting May this year. Blood on stool, Mucus, changes in bowel habit going from normal stool to constipation, soft stool, slight niggling pains in abdomen, occasional sense of bowels not being empty. Everytime I went to the toilet I had blood and or mucus. Scary stuff. But not the same as before.
 

Went to GP and had bloods done, elevated CRP & ESR. Referred to gastroenterologist and was seen quite quickly.
 

After an agonising few months I had my colonoscopy today unsedated. Yes it was painful at times, more like and intense cramping pain and certainly unpleasant. But the prep was just as bad IMO. Small patch of rectal inflammation and some more at the cecum. Doctor suspects this is Crohn's due to the skip lesions (areas of healthy bowel) in between. Whilst this is not ideal. I am lucky that this is mild, at least for now. And if the last episode was anything to go by then it should respond well to the medication.

The worry really is the worst thing in the world and makes us project and live worst case scenarios in our heads. Wish anyone with these horrible symptoms all the best in their diagnosis and eventual recovery.

B

Hi everyone,

First time poster here and very glad that I found this forum as there are a lot of positive accounts of everyone's experiences. I really hope that everyone is staying positive and drawing the same encouragement as me from these posts...

A bit of a long winded post so please stick with me, I just want to share my experience up to today.

I'm 51, a single father of three teenagers, no previous health issues, no history of bowl cancer in my family although my 76 year old mum has had a couple of colonoscopy's in the past and had polyps removed.

In November last year I noticed some bright red blood in my stool. I didn't initially worry too much as I thought it may be down to straining on the toilet. 

It happened again in January and March with much more bright red blood.  Around the turn of this year I also noticed a dull ache in my lower abdomen about 2 inches to the right of my left hip. I didn't initially associate that with what was happening with the blood in my stools and to this day don't know if this is connected, but that dull ache has remained and periodically is more noticeable at different times of the day.

Then more bright red blood appeared this week Thursday 22 July, so bite the bullet you must I said to myself and phone your GP! I guess I was very nervous about doing that as once you start that ball rolling you are on a process of discovery that you don't necessarily want to be on, but time to face the music and deal with it head on than bury my head in the sand, at least that was my thinking.

So spoke to my GP on Thursday he had me in yesterday Friday 23 July and took bloods, performed a rectal exam, and a feel around in the tummy area and we discussed my symptoms and next steps. There was nothing obvious he said and in the large majority of cases there is nothing to be overly concerned about. I had to smile when he said, that being said, we need to get to the bottom of it! 

I mentioned I'm in BUPA and given that I didn't appear to fit the urgent criteria for the NHS then we agreed that I would more than likely go via this route with his referral next Tuesday when we have a follow up to discuss my blood results. 

Low and behold the bright red blood was back this morning twice which is a change as it has been weeks if not months in between similar episodes previously.

So I immediately phoned BUPA this morning and registered my immediate requirement for a gastroenterologist specialist and colonoscopy which will now be booked next Monday.

Obviously I'm hoping for the best next week but whatever happens, I know I will get to a conclusion with BUPA very quickly on this and I'm drawing a lot of encouragement from others accounts here. 

Just wish I wouldn't have hung around now and put my big boy pants on a bit earlier, but as they say let's face the music and keep dancing. 

I will certainly keep you all posted in the coming days regarding the process I'm now embarking upon and its outcome.

Fingers, toes and everything else crossed.

Keep well all and please stay positive anyone going through similar to myself.

My nerves are a bit threadbare and my anxiety seems to be reaching new heights every day, but we can get through this!

All the best

Hi.

How did you go?

I had my consultation with the gastroenterologist last week, he was fairly optimistic in fairness and suspects small hemmeroids or possibly polyps but didn't think it was anything too sinister. However to be on the safe side a Colonoscopy has been arranged for the 6th September. He did say that he might not be able to diagnose the cause of the bleeding but thought based on my risk factors, family history and infrequent nature of my bleeds that it's nothing to be too concerned about. Easy for him to say. However I guess we all tend to panic a bit and presume the worst, but one way or another hopefully I will have an answer next week. No further recurrence since so fingers, toes, arms, legs, anything I can get hold of is crossed.

Interestingly a friend of mine who has similar abdominal pains on the lower left side suspects a hernia could be the culprit. 

Massively nervous about next week but time to try and get some answers if only to rule out anything nasty.

Hi there 

I have similar, I constantly have mucus in my stools never no blood and am always constipated, I was diagnosed with ibs three years ago but was diagnosed with stage 1 vaginal cancer feb 2020 and was given the all clear in October last year, so we are doing a colonoscopy tomorrow I'm currently writing this and constantly running to the loo.. we just want to see what could be causing the mucus and if I have radiation damage to my bowel cause of cancer treatment, I'm praying all is good and although I really didn't want to do the colon prep we need to get answers let me know how you get on next week 

speak soon Laura xxx

I have my consultation on a week on monday and then a sigmoidoscopy is being booked. Im nervous, but to be honest i just want a diagnosis. Once i have a diagnosis i know what cards i have been dealt. The unknown part is the worst and bad for my mental health.

My symptoms have been constant. Still occasional rectal bleeding after bm and mucus discharge. The doctors believe it is an anal fissure as i have a skin tag on the outside of my anus and that is where the bleeding is coming from but it just wont heal. Ive tried and tried for a gastroenterologist to have a look and finally im seeing one.

In may I was admitted to hospital with a high temp and stomach pains.  Since my wife died from aggressive bowel cancer in July 2020. I live alone. and  I metioned to the hospital about this colonoscopy that following week. I said I had concerns about the lead up as I'm also diabetic, was diagnosed with liver cancer in early January 2020. So they brought the colonoscopy forward while I was in hospital.My concerns were validated when I had to fast and drink the movieprep that night. I ended up having four hypos that night. had the colonoscopy the following morning. found several things wrong but non that needed  anything doing other than having 8 polpys removed and sent away for biopsies.. So I'm having all this done. I went the toilet before bed past a stool. then noticed a rednass coming out of the stool. This is all I need ontop of what's going on already. There are times when I tink why is all this going on with me. I'm not a nasty person, I keep myself to myself. if someone says hello I will reply back in the same vain. I know I'll need to get it checked out. but if the transplant unit see I have another problem I will not be put forward onto the liver transplant list..

With what has gone on over the last year and a half. there are times when I wish I had died back in 2015 when I had a massive blood loss when I had a vein rupture in my oesophagus.  I know I'm frustrated and will see it in a different light. but why where we put on this planet for. Sorry for the negativity.

So just to update everyone, I went in for my colonoscopy today at 12.30. Prior to that I had to take 2 doses of Moviprep, 2 litres in total 24 hours apart. To be honest looking back that was the worst part. I went in to theatre at nearly 5pm. They had me waiting in a private suite for over 4 hours, undoubtedly since I was private via BUPA and there was a nice charge for that. 

Anyway under mild sedation they found 3 polyps and some small hemmeroids which were suspected as causing my bleed. The largest polyp was 4mm and the other 2 were 2-3mm, all successfully removed. 

I was in an out finally in 30 minutes. I need to wait on the biopsy on the polyps but it's not thought they are cancerous. I can't tell you all the sense of relief I now feel. The procedure was not painful one bit and I can now breathe a big sigh of relief.

If your nervous don't be. Give yourself a chance and don't hesitate, get it done. You will be very glad you did!!!

Best wishes everyone.

In April 2021 I started to have abdominal discomfort and the sudden need to poo.

I had bloods taken and a stool sample and both came back clear of anything serious. GP advised it's IBS in July.

I've had fresh blood and mucus in my poo on and off since April. In recent days I've had black coloured lumps and flakes in poo too. My GP referred me to A&E as that would get bloods and a poosible endoscopy done much quicker than going through them. The endoscopy was to check for a stomach ulcer that could be causing the old blood to appear in my stool.

The abdominal pain is generally below the chest/rib cage and to my right hand side of my belly button. The pain can be a sharp stinging pain or more of an ache. My GP has now referred me for a Colonoscopy and an Ultrasound. The ultrasound is to rule out gallstones and check my pancreas. 

This morning my poo was a little darker, but more normal coloured as my poos have been lighter in colour for months, so not too sure how to take the darker colour, and also some mucus and fresh blood. 
 

I'm absolutely worried sick, it's keeping me up at night, making me feel ill.

In April 2021 I started to have abdominal discomfort and the sudden need to poo.

I had bloods taken and a stool sample and both came back clear of anything serious. GP advised it's IBS in July.

I've had fresh blood and mucus in my poo on and off since April. In recent days I've had black coloured lumps and flakes in poo too. My GP referred me to A&E as that would get bloods and a poosible endoscopy done much quicker than going through them. The endoscopy was to check for a stomach ulcer that could be causing the old blood to appear in my stool.

The abdominal pain is generally below the chest/rib cage and to my right hand side of my belly button. The pain can be a sharp stinging pain or more of an ache. My GP has now referred me for a Colonoscopy and an Ultrasound. The ultrasound is to rule out gallstones and check my pancreas. 

This morning my poo was a little darker, but more normal coloured as my poos have been lighter in colour for months, so not too sure how to take the darker colour, and also some mucus and fresh blood. 
 

I'm absolutely worried sick, it's keeping me up at night, making me feel ill.

I know it worries the life out of you, it did me, but it may well be something as common as hemmeroids. We tend to think the worst and the not knowing is awfully stressful.

I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think, so do try and keep an open mind which I know is hard as I was where you were only a few weeks back. 

I hope you can have the colonoscopy soon, I had to go private as I wasn't deemed an urgent case.

Good luck and try to stay positive. 

Hi everyone, 

I'm having some very similar symptoms - blood and mucus in stool with no abdominal pain, however Ive been getting some pain/pressure in my tailbone area. Has anyone else had this? And how much blood have you had? Sometimes ive had streaks, sometimes it's like half the toilet paper is streaked with blood. I feel fine otherwise, no fever, no pain, no change in bowel movements that I can tell (although I think I'm more nervous when I go). I went to the docs and they did a rectal exam, they said they felt swelling but couldn't tell what it was. Now have been given two stool samples to give (one is a Fit test), one regular stool test, and I hve blood tests tomorrow. 
 

really anxious and I can't think of anything else. Just wondered if anyone had any advice or had experienced similar. 

Thank you for reading.

betty 

Hope you are ok, going through very similar symptoms myself and the sleepless nights and anxiety is awful. I'm waiting a few weeks then have to hand in another sample as my calprotectin levels are slightly raised. The gurgling noises and aches and pains are just getting worse. Mine are the same as yours usually quite light but have had a few dark ones with black specks which I don't understand. X

Hi. 

Ive had symptoms for pretty much over a year. No weight loss and generally feeling fine. However ive had blood when i wipe after a BM.

Its been ongoing for a while and a few different doctors have said anal fissure, and i went to see a private gastroenterologist who also said a fissure. However i have finally got a colonoscopy booked in 2 weeks time. 

It will be a relief to get a full diagnosis whether it be good or bad. Once i know exactly what it is, i can finally get on my with my life mentally. 

Im dreading the prep for it though. Has anyone else recently had a colonoscopy? How was the prep for you?

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd post an update on my outcome as I just had a colonoscopy with sedation today. I had bright red blood and mucus in my stool since July, no abdominal pain, just an ache and pressure sometimes in my tailbone, maybe once a month. 
The prep was absolutely fine and far easier than I've read in some stories. It's a bit claggy (if that's the right word), weirdly sweet and salty at the same time, but I chilled it, drank it through a straw and added some lemon squash. 
The colonoscopy today found 3 polyps, one small one in my ascending colon, one small one in my sigmoid colon and one large polyp in my rectum, which was what was causing the bleeding and "pulling" pressure I was experiencing. The polyp had inflamed my rectum and raised my fecal calprotectin level to 58 (0.00-50ug is normal) and gave me a positive qFIT test of >200ug. 
My colonoscopy report gave me the all clear for bowel cancer and it states that I've now been taken off the 2ww pathway. However I'll need to wait for my biopsy report which is due within 2-3 weeks (I'm a bit confused as to how you can be given the all clear prior to you receiving the biopsies back, but the endoscopist did say he couldn't see any cancer on the polyp). 
I just thought this might be a helpful write up for any of you still awaiting your tests and I'm happy to answer any questions about my experience. I know the anxiety is draining and all consuming. 

best wishes

Betty xxx

Hi all.

So i had my colonoscopy and it was all clear. As amazing this is, my issue with rectal bleeding still hasnt stopped. The colonoscopy gave me the all clear for cancer however no reason why this bleeding is happening. Can anyone advise me on the next steps??? 

Hi Glad your colonoscopy is ok, my symptoms are the same although I've had a positive test for inflammation. i would ask your GP  for advice on managing the fissure. Mine has given some advice but unfortunately it just seems to keep opening. If that's even what it is because it feels swollen more like I would imagine a pile to feel like. What does yours feel like? Mine just constantly re opens when I do long walks or excerise. I'm sick of it x

My doctor gave me Rectogesic to try and it seemed to offer relief to an extent. However whe i came off this the fissure reopened. 

I do feel like i do have a hemorrhoid though. Sometimes ill have a bm and for hours after i am sore. Also my bleeding has been intermittent for 18 months now.

Hi everyone, this thread has really calmed me down as I'm a nervous wreck and I now don't feel so alone. So for the last 6 weeks I've had terrible wind and bowel gas. Especially in the early mornings I'm waking and constant flatulence. I also have some left side pain when eating anything and terrible indigestion. I'm eating plain foods like rice, bananas, chicken and can't tolerate anything else. My tummy is constantly making weird noises. My bowel movements are all over the place. Used to be so regular, now it's none for a day or two, some days watery loose stools other days normal size and shape. Only one one occasion was there a tiny drop of blood on the paper when wiped, barely visible.I'm also suffering from bad back pain and sometimes pressure in back passage relieved by flatulence. 
I had a pelvic scan due to fear of ovarian cancer but that was ok, radiologist said I was full of bowel gas and recommended a referral for colonoscopy etc. I also have heartburn at times. 

Im absolutely terrified. Can't sleep or eat with anxiety so am losing weight. I'm so worried it's bowel cancer. I'm 44 and was so healthy up to this sudden change. The wind and flatulence is the worst. Can anyone relate or help? 

I can give you a bit of reassurance. I'm a few years younger than you and last summer, when I was 40, I was referred for a colonoscopy due to rectal bleeding (not just once, but almost daily for weeks on end), trapped wind and gas, some weight loss (about a stone in a year) and occasional loose stools (maybe once a week). The specialist said that if my mother came to him with those symptoms, he'd be considering bowel cancer but at my age, it was a possibility, but the least likely of all the options he'd be considering and that I'd be the "unluckiest person in the world" if it did turn out to be that.

He said it was probably piles but there was a chance of IBD, so he'd do a colonoscopy and as we all expected, it turned out to be piles.

And in your case, IBS is probably a possibility, because you didn't have regular rectal bleeding and there are probably a whole load of other possibilities. 

I will add that stress can bring on a lot of stomach and bowel symptoms or exaccerbate them. Some of my symptoms disappeared after I got the results of the colonoscopy, so they were probably at least partly due to the stress of waiting for news