Hi Saz,

i did do both... my calprotectin was 123 and my bloods showed raised ESR of 30 and my platelets were borderline normal so my GP was thinking I had IBD or something inflammatory however, I was going to the toilet normally which for me was once a day in the morning and had no change in my stools. It's only been recently (the couple of weeks heading up to the colonoscopy) that I had two bouts of diarrhoea and some clear mucus, none of which I had before! The blood in my stools was very obvious though, it was mixed in and marooned coloured but also bright red on the outside of it (sorry if that's TMI!).

I've had this for around 18 months getting progressively worse. It first started out as a bit of bright red blood so after having kids I assumed it was haemorrhoids but then I fell pregnant again and I was told it couldn't be investigated whilst I was pregnant so it had to wait and then once I had my baby I was honestly too busy to think about it or even check my stools! So I'm glad I finally went to the GP.

The stool sample was very easy to do, I just followed the instructions and it was back within a few weeks. My GP called me as soon as it had come back but she had already referred me. I also did a FIT test, have you done one of those? That came back positive which a reading of around 300 I think!

I hope all this helps! If you have any questions let me know I'm an open book and don't mind discussing :)

Hi i hope you are keeping well. Can I ask how you are doing now? X

Hi,

I've been fine since, can't see any visible blood and I don't have any other symptoms. I'm supposed to be going back for another colonoscopy next year so fingers crossed x