GP thinking some sort of IBD?

[paulponty]

Diagnosed with IBS over 20 years ago. Well, GP didnt really do any tests but I kept going back and in the end they basically told me to go away!

To be honest, I've never been right but past year or so its been worse.

Diarrhoea is the problem. Some days I'm ok some days not. I seem to be taking much more imodium than I used to.

I rarely get stomach pain, never constipation, but its a real inconvenience to say the least.

Im the first to admit my diet is terrible, I'm well overweight (so deffo no weight loss here!) but apart from that, I dont feel unwell or tired or anything like that. I do have a very stressful job and am a very stressy person (depression/anxiety problems in the past).

Not sure if its related but I've had problems with piles a few months ago (needed hospital treatment). Apart from when I get that - no problems with blood generally.

But, I went back to GP recently - my wife made me. Reluctantly they did blood tests (dont think it was full) inc inflamatory thingy. Got home today (3 days after tests) to find a letter asking me to go back for repeat blood tests in 3-4 weeks - bone profile and full blood count.

My wife (whos a nurse) is thinking colitis or crohns or something. And I think the worst?
But like I said I've not really got other symptoms.....

Is it possible my bloods have shown up inflamatory markers?
Also, why blood tests in 3-4week why not now?

 

[ronroush7]

Welcome. I don't know the answers to your questions but maybe the vial wasn't full or thru want to double check the results. Please let us know what you find out.

 

[Trysha]

You have my sympathy....some healthcare systems are broken.
It's too bad the blood work was not repeated sooner but it could be that the doc wants to see if there is a change in that time interval.
You could ask why it can't be sooner...doctors should educate their patients.
No good second guessing a diagnosis at this time and I would suggest there will be further bowel studies and preferably you will be referred to a gastroenterologist for this.
Again I would ask for referral to a GI...
Feel better soon
Hugs
Trysha

 

[paulponty]

Thanks all. Letter was day after blood tests were done (sure they weren't full ones first time around) from the nurse at the surgery.

It definitely says come back in 3-4 weeks for a repeat test but this time its going to be full blood and bone profile - didnt have this first time.

Standard for healthcare in the uk. Always very poor indeed.

Chances are it'll be 6-9 months before I get to a hospital appt. Such is the nhs in the uk.

 

[ronroush7]

I am sorry it will take so long

 

[eleanor_rigby]

I know how you feel - I too live in the UK and used to experience horrific stomach cramps but despite countless GP visits they never did any testing - not even blood tests. Eventually I got hospitalised for a Crohn's complication, which led people to take me a little more seriously.

I would keep going back, to different GPs in your practice, go round them all. Ask to do a stool sample to test for fecal calproctectin. If that comes back above the normal range things should speed up.