IBS or more?

[Mel1905]

Good afternoon,

Thank you for reading...

I am currently waiting for an apt to see a consultant at my local hospital after been referred by my GP..

I have had a long history of what was believed to be IBS (10 years +) recently I have got a lot worse, I have felt unwell for months now, some days I don't eat unless I know I am at home to go to the toilet if needed.

I have diarrhoea every day mostly on a morning when I wake up but can be throughout the day too, I can also suffer from constipation later in the day, I can feel desperate for the toilet but nothing comes out (sorry TMI) horrific wind along with abdominal pain, I have been anaemic since Oct 2013 with little improvement on iron supplements. I am exhausted constantly, my recent Calprotectin test came back with levels of 63 which I know is relatively normal.. I have been prescribed Mebeverine with no improvements and more recently Buscopan which made my symptoms much worse.

Over the last few days my hands also feel quite sore, very sensitive to hot/cold and I have had a sore on my tongue for months now which my dentist reassures me is nothing to worry about.

I have no idea how long I will be waiting for a referral, anyone had similar symptoms or Calprotectin levels?

Thank you in advance, x

 

[LewisS]

From what you've described, I think it definitely could be more than IBS.

IBS is a huge grey area of symptoms that could be caused by a few different conditions, including colitis. Anemia is something many people suffering from IBD on this forum have in common, so that could indicate a more serious condition. Ignore your dentist, the sore on your tongue is an important symptom to mention to your consultant because crohn's specifically can appear anywhere from the mouth to the anus.

You've made the first step to find out what's going on and your consultant will likely want to do an ultrasound initially, maybe an MRI and a colonoscopy.

I really hope you get some answers and good luck for the appointment.

 

[Mel1905]

Thanks Lewis, hopefully I won't be waiting too long.. I have previously dismissed IBD as I have seen the more severe end of Crohns with my bf (he was diagnosed at 11 then numerous operations before having a permanent ileostomy in 2004) but as my GP quite rightly pointed out it doesn't have to be severe like his to be present..

X

 

[DJW]

Hi Mel1905 and welcome.

I hope you get some answers. Sending you my support.

 

[Catherine]

At the moment on my reading you would current not met the criteria for a dx of IBS.

IBS should not be dx someone with anemia without further investigation.

What treatment have they used for the anemia? Have you had iron studies done?

My daughter was dx with Crohn's at 16 years, we treated her for anemia that was unresponsive to iron supplement for 3 years prior to dx.

 

[Mel1905]

Hi Catherine,

Thank you for your reply.. My GP gave me Ferrous Fumarate 210mg tablets to take 1 tablet twice per day.. She said to do this for 3/12, that was last October, I had a blood test in Jan which showed little improvement, she kind of dismissed it and said I could continue with the tablets if I wanted to.. She have me a blood test for Celiac disease which was negative.. The GP I have seen more recently seems to be taking my symptoms more seriously thankfully!

One Doctor last year even have me Senna laxatives, I took one tablet once and I have never felt so ill I couldn't eat all day that day :-(

I remembered also in 2006 I was admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis, they reported my stomach at the right side was distended but after 24 hours nil by mouth they decided not to operate and I was discharged a few days later...

Fingers crossed it'll turn out to be IBS but even I'm starting to wonder...

X