Hi Everyone,

I am writing on here because I feel as though I am getting desperate - I know that I cannot get a diagnosis here, but am wondering if anyone has experienced something similar to what I am going through.

I am a 30 year old woman and for approximately 2 years I have had a change in bowel movements. I have been getting increasingly constipated with bouts of diarrhea. I went to see my GP who said he felt it was a buildup of constipation - I took laxatives and was refered to a consultant. The consultant advised me to change my diet and increase my water intake, and I was discharged.

16 months on I now have severe abdominal pain in both the left and right side which radiates to my back, my bowel movements are all over the place - hard and dry, narrow, occassional diarrhea. I have lost my appetite and struggle to keep food/liquids down. I have seen the GP 3 times and even been to A&E because of the pain, but I keep being told I most likely have IBS. I have had a blood test which was normal for kidneys, liver and cell counts but no further investigations have been made.

I have asked to be referred for a colonoscopy, but have been told that I could have to wait some time as I do not have what they consider high risk factors. I am going out of my mind with worry that I could have bowel cancer and that it is getting to an advanced stage. I also know that there is no such thing in being "too young".

I can't sleep at night because of the pain and worry and I feel like it is affecting my life. I am missing work and constantly need reassurance from my partner and family which as you can imagine is becoming quite exhausting for them.

Has anyone ever experienced similar symptoms? I feel like my stomach is so swollen that I look about 6 months pregnant (which has been ruled out). 

Thank you.