Good evening.
My story is long and a bit boring so I will try to keep it short.
I have had bowel issues for about 6 years now. I will write my story in a time line so it makes a bit more sense;
2008;
Anyway, congratulations if you made it to the end of my long rambling post. I have lot's of questions so I will head in to the main forum and ask in the relevant places.
Many thanks,
JSH.
My story is long and a bit boring so I will try to keep it short.
I have had bowel issues for about 6 years now. I will write my story in a time line so it makes a bit more sense;
2008;
- Problems started with diarrhoea and stomach pain. My parents were breaking up so the doctors and myself put it down to stress and hoped it would pass once the family issues resolved.
- Still having problems. Parents had split leaving me living with my then boyfriend, brother and father. Father had many many issues and I was used a kicking post and support. Not what I needed at the time and I feel this contributed to my problems. Things got worse. I was diagnosed with IBS and told to 'learn to live with it'
- Started to bleed with the diarrhoea which never resolved itself. Referred to GI specialist. Sent for sigmoidoscopy with biopsies. Gut spasm so bad Dr unable to check past rectosigmoid junction. Biopsies taken. Informed no sign of disease and asked to provide stool samples. Result show excess fat and bacterial overgrowth. Given one course of metronidazole.
- Diagnosed with fibromyalgia and informed that IBS a part of this. Again, learn to live with it.
- Pain became unbearable. Put on to codeine tablets.
- Bleeding worse. Every visit to the Dr resulted in a check of rectum and told likely to be an internal hemorrhoid high up or a fissure. Taken off of medication and told to take up to 8 paracetamol a day... This makes the bleeding worse it seems.
- Sent back to GI specialist for colonoscopy under sedation. Guarded diagnosis of ulcerative colitis given. Placed on asacol enemas. These worked well. Dr said I could have them when the bleeding starts but not long term. Back on codeine for fibro.
- Back to GP as bleeding back again along with severe left hand side pain and fever. GI specialist appointment requested. Different specialist this time. Retracted diagnosis and re-diagnosed with IBS. No medication support provided. Decided to take daily immodium, buscopan and occasional simethicone. Unable to work without over the counter medications.
- Trying to conceive first child. Taken off of all medications for fibromyalgia and also OTC meds for 'IBS'.
- As pregnancy progresses bowel issues (and fibromyalgia but that is neither here nor there) become worse and much harder to deal with.
- Early July admission to hospital due to high ketones and low potassium in blood results. The day before was a bad day for 'IBS' 12 visits to the toilet and unable to eat large meals due to bloating on top of 34 week gestation baby. Kept in on IV fluid therapy and not allowed to leave until bloods normal. Kept in for 3 days. Advised speak to GP about bowel problems as not acceptable to leave this.
- Finished work mid July. Bowel issues become so bad now housebound when flaring. Visit to GP end July.
- GP not happy with how things were left. Told me I should have been more forceful with specialist. Bowel movements very painful. Diarrhoea up to 18 times per day. Bleeding at least twice a day. Often no bowel movement accompanying the bleeding. Pain and fever along with bleeding. GP read all notes and letters. In view of results from scopes and reaction to asacol enemas, GP feels IBD not IBS. Requested chat with different specialist.
- Referral consultant feels not wise to start asacol while pregnant (currently 38 weeks). Feels better to wait until after the birth and then go back for another sigmoidoscopy to see what state we are in at the moment.
- Still bleeding most days. Pregnancy seems unaffected by the possible UC but not ideal.
- Leukocytes +++ in urine for last 3 weeks at midwife checks. Sent for culture and results available tomorrow morning. Could this be showing due to bowel issues? I am not sure if it would show in urine or if this just shows UTI's. Does anyone have any ideas?
Anyway, congratulations if you made it to the end of my long rambling post. I have lot's of questions so I will head in to the main forum and ask in the relevant places.
Many thanks,
JSH.