Hi all - first post to the forum, I find it a valuable source of information which I appreciate.
I'm driving myself crazy thinking about this, so thought I'd try and write it down as a way to rationalise, and see if anyone had any insight. To set the scene, I'm male, 41, average weight for my height and no serious medical history. Don't think there's much, if any, history of cancer in my family.
I've had tummy troubles for probably 3 years or so. It's hard to remember everything I've had tested, so a brief history is:
Dec 2016 - Colonoscopy - all clear
August 2018 - Sigmoidoscopy - all clear. Some funny red spots were found, but biopsy showed noting sinister
Sept 2018 - Feacal Calprotectin - slightly raised levels
Nov 2018 - Feacal Calprotectin - normal
Nov 2018 - Hemorrhoids banded sucessfully which cleared up some bleeding I'd been having
May 2019 - Blood test for full blood count, liver/kidney function, plasma viscocity - all clear
There has been various trips to the GP in amongst those tests, so much so I feel a bit stupid when going back on the same topic.
When I write that down it all looks good, right? However my symptoms are not good. In the last 7 to 8 months I've had to go to the toilet a lot each day, 5 or 6 trips a day is not uncommon. There's never any blood, at least none I can see with my naked eye. I do however get tummy ache fairly often. Mostly it's just a nagging pain, nothing servere, but sometimes it does hurt with a cramping stabbing pain. The other main thing I've noticed in the last 7 to 8 months is my tummy is so noisy, much more than it used to be. It will gurgle like crazy until I go to the toilet. It only stops when I feel my bowels are empty, usually after a few visits.
I am stressed at the moment, and have been for months. Work is difficult, and I've got a toddler and another child on the way so home life is hectic! The GP recently perscribed some low level beta blockers, which I've been taking when I feel the need, but they've made no difference to my tummy symptoms.
I'm unsure if I should push for another colonoscopy? I'm not very keen to have one really, found it a bit distressing (please don't let my experience put you off having one though, I'm a genuine wimp when it comes to medical stuff!). If there was something more sinister going on, would it be likely something showed up on my most recent blood test?
I hope no-one minds me posting this, as I know my situation pales into comparison compared to some of you guys. Just thought it might help me see the wood from the trees.
