Same to you keep me updated and I'm always just a message away as well 

[@Frankii]‍  and [@Lil_C]‍ 

Hope you don’t mind me jumping in as I’m in the same situation and so worried I can barely concentrate on anything else. I have had regular bright red bleeding for a year and always thought it was piles, but when it started happening regularly I got worried went to the doctors who referred me for a sigmoidoscopy and then Covid happened and then I became pregnant. I’m now 12 weeks and I’m seeing maroon coloured stool and I know this is not good like the bright red you see maroon means scary, this has thrown my anxiety level to 100. I’m scared it’s something serious and now that I’m pregnant I’m wondering will they even be able to do a camera test on. 

Sigmoidoscopy being done a Thursday 25th however no bowel prep or sedation due to me being pregnant and bleeding from bowel. Will update once have results praying for good news 

Hope it all went well and you have had some good news hunny. 

hi

im so sorry ive only just seen this...any news? hope your ok x

Hi.... just thought i would check in and see how you are?

No news my end still waiting on referral chased it up and the hospital haven't even triaged it yet so could be months :cry:

Still on Movicol also now ducosate sodium which was working ok for a while but now struggling to go again and stools are now not even pencil thin they are that thin.

Gp won't change my referral to urgent one just says to keep taking the Movicol and if i get any abdominal pains to go to a&e :neutral::confused:

Very frustrated and fed up keep thinking well obviously something is wrong and the longer they leave me the worse it could be.

Hope you have better progress x

Hi 

I'm sorry to hear you are still struggling to get your referral and get things moving. My DR wouldnt change my referral either they have a tick list of symptoms for emergency referrals and I'm not ticking any of them. It's so frustrating isn't it. I've had a bit of luck tho and I got a phone call yesterday from the hospital and I have a telephone appointment with an gastroenterologist on Sunday. Not sure exactly what it will entail as it's all over the phone and seems odd because it won't involve any sort of examination but at least it's a start and it's the consultant calling. I'm guessing depending how the call goes will depend on the next steps and examinations etc. I also got the Dr to do a stool sample but I haven't heard anything back about that yet and that was a week ago it was sent off. I'm hoping no news is good news although I'm not entirely sure what the sample is looking for I think the Dr said IBD. My hair has started falling out now tho which I'm putting down to stress but it's freaking me out nonetheless and getting me down. Feel very deflated at the moment.

Hi

Im so sorry to hear your feeling so deflated and down its awful waiting isn't it?

If its any help whenever ive had stool and bloods done i only hear from the GP if it's abnormal they dont contact you if all is ok i hope that manages to reassure you a little?

That does seem odd however it's a step in the right direction being able to talk to a specialist i got told usually your first appointment with them is usually just talking through symptoms and them deciding what tests if any are needed so maybe they are just doing that for you over the phone?

I did find out that my appointment will be with the Colorectal Surgery department within hospital but they reassured me that it's just standard procedure and not actually meaning i'll need surgery.

I did think i would be seeing the gastroenterologist department like you are maybe its because all my symptoms are bowel related?

I think the hair loss will probably be stress i hope it stops for you soon and that sunday brings some productivity for you.

Hi 

Yes that does reassure me that they only contact you if they are abnormal thank you.

Yes I think it probably is for symptoms etc and then they decide from there what needs doing but like you said it's good to talk to a specialist. I must admit I started looking down the private route and even that starts with a consultation with a gastroenterologist also done either via video or phone call. That would cost £180 just for that appointment so I'm relieved I managed to get an appointment on the NHS with a consultant. I think the gastroenterologist can recommend what tests need doing if any like you said. I guess the colorectal surgeon will also do similar for you and do a consultation first? Did they give you any indication on wait times etc? 

Thank you I will let you know how Sunday goes. I'm writing everything down so I don't forget anything and I will write down what is said as well so I don't forget.