Feel unwell and frustrated!

[sausages]

Hi everyone! I know you can't tell me a diagnosis over the internet/just from what I tell you but I'm looking for some advice because I'm feeling frustrated and not very well

I'm 20 years old and I remember having issues with my stomach my whole life (frequent nausea, diarrhoea occasionally, etc) but nothing too severe.

In the last year or so my issues have become worse - I have diarrhoea daily (rare for me to have solid stools), some days so much so that I'm very irritated and sore. I have to poop constantly before leaving for work then I get there and I have to go so many times throughout the day (and I'm terrified I'm going to have an accident trying to get there which has almost happened more times than I'd like to admit!).

I also get very bad abdominal pain, usually when I need to go to the toilet and after eating. I have gas almost all the time and it is very bad smelling. I don't have blood in my stool but there is mucus.

I am struggling to maintain my weight also - my weight is lower than a couple of years ago but has stayed constant for around 6 months but that is due to me trying very hard to eat a lot of calories.

I generally just feel quite run down in myself too and exhausted

I visited my GP about the issues back in May I think and had some blood tests which ruled out things like coeliac, thyroid problems, etc and was eventually referred to a gastroenterologist. He told me he thought it wasn't IBD but wanted to do blood and stool samples anyway. Blood tests found that my white cell count is elevated (and has been for many blood tests previously over a few years) but my CRP and everything else was normal. Two stool samples showed that my fecal calprotectin was around 1300. He's now requested a colonoscopy (which is due later this month) but told me on the phone he still doesn't think it's IBD or anything worth worrying about.

It's frustrating because I feel unwell but I feel like the consultant thinks it's nothing. I don't know what's wrong but I know that my bowel habits aren't normal. Also I don't know if IBD has been shown to have a genetic link but my brother has ulcerative colitis and my cousin has crohns.

If you have read this then thank you! I'm just looking for a hug really and reassurance that I'm not going crazy Any ideas or pointing in a direction of what you think may be wrong would also be nice.

Thank you!
x

 

[IofNewt]

I am going through everything you described currently and I have Crohns.

HUG.

Hope you get some answers soon.

 

[DJW]

Hi and welcome.

So sorry you're feeling unwell. I'm glad a colonoscopy has been ordered. Will biopsies be taken?

The mostcommon area for crohns to present is in the terminal iileum. Basically the area where the small and large intestine connect. I would imagine the finding will determine the next steps for testing.

In the mean time I'd suggest keeping a food and symptom journal to see if you can pinpoint problem foods. Some people find symptom relief with diet alterations. Cut out dairy, wheat/gluten to see if that helps.

Yes, IBD does have a genetic component.

Sending you my support and a hug.

 

[sausages]

Thank you to both of you, this forum is great for information and support

DJW, I believe biopsies will be taken yes. I'm going to start keeping a food and symptom journal too, I feel that I have noticed any patterns between what I eat and symptoms currently but I haven't tried recording it and maybe some pattern will come clear if I do this - thank you.

 

[tzvia]

Let us know how the colonoscopy goes. Also, try cutting dairy from your diet for a month to see if that helps. It's possible that you may be lactose intolerant. Probiotics can also help get the gi system back in balance after having lots of diarrhea.

 

[sausages]

I had my colonoscopy today - they found inflammation in my colon like that in pancolitis/UC. Never heard of pancolitis before and not sure whether this is just another word for UC or something different - I am going to do some research soon.

Lots of biospies were taken too and I'm having an appointment with my consultant within the next four weeks.

I hated the Klean-Prep and was quite nervous but got through it with no sedation and it was really interesting to watch. In a bit of discomfort now but very glad I had it done!

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Well done on getting through the procedure and having had Klean Prep too! I had that for my first c scope and my god it's vile, I refuse to believe it was first developed as medicine lol. Second time I demanded something else and got Picolax which was soooooo much better!

I hope the biopsies along with the visual findings get you some answers, even if they are not good ones.

 

[sausages]

I really, really struggled with it! After the first litre I vomited most of it up - my partner lied to me and told me it wasn't that much (I made her measure it out!) but she confessed today that it was actually almost the whole litre. I kept drinking though and added some different stuff to it to make it taste a bit better and eventually got it down even though it took longer than it should have. It does say on the report though that my preparation was excellent and I could see I was very empty so that made me happy that it was worth it!

Honestly, I just want answers, I obviously don't want to be ill but it's good to finally be getting answers for the way that I feel.

 

[If*]

Good for you!! Congrats on getting through the prep!! It has to be one of the worst things of this. Like sea water and soap scented with fruit. Gagging for sure.

Hope you can find some relief soon and that you can figure out some' safe foods'. When you mention the increased 'd', the bad smell and gas those are things that can be caused by fast transit time, undigested foods. Also the morning coffee can increase 'd' for some.

You might want to see a dietitian/nutritionist to help figure out a healthy/tolerable diet. I agree that looking into probiotics might be helpful.

Welcome to this excellent site full of personal experiences ~ but sorry you are not feeling well.

get better soon

 

[StarGirrrrl]

I had a rough time with Klean prep too, so much of it to get down, and I was spending periods of 3 hours solid just sitting on the toilet!

Second time I refused and asked for something else and was given Picolax. 2 doses in 250ml liquid each. Next to zero nausea and cramps. Had way more cramping the next day from being empty! Spent more time off the toilet than on. And the best part is it cleared me out just as much as the KP did. I've been lucky to find a milder prep that still works and suit me so well.