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[CazMc]

Hi,

My name is Carol, from Scotland and I am 26. I am new to this Forum so thought I would share my story. I feel lucky compared to a lot of you on here so seems to have been ill for such a long time. I have had my symptoms since February but they have been getting progressively worse since them. It was severe abdominal cramps that made me first go to my Dr...pains round about my belly button. They thought it was maybe IBS so we tried some medication for that along with peppermint and aloe vera but it didn't help. The pains got worse, I couldn't sleep with them even although I was tired all the time. The smell of food was even making me nauseus so eating became a real test. I passed blood a couple of times so I was sent for tests (Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Meal, Endoscopy and Colonoscopy) after they realised I was losing weight too. My body completely crashed within this time and I was off work for 5 weeks as I couldnn't eat, travel and all I wanted to do was sleep. I am still waiting on results, the colonscopy revealed the parts of the lining of my bowel were rough (they looked most odd on the screen) and took several biopsies but I am still waiting on results from these. My symptoms are getting worse though and I had a loose bowel accident last week so feel very nervous about leaving the house at the moment. All along the Dr's have mentioned Crohns so I think I am prepared but I still find it all quite scary!

Sorry for the essay:eek2:

Caz

 

[jed]

hey Caz, welcome to the forums where no bowel movements are sacred

dont be to scared, there are many good medications when the docs finally start getting all the facts together.

you may still have up and down times with the meds, but you will get a better quality life back.

welcome

 

[CazMc]

Thank you Jed I just want my life to get a bit more normal but realise all that comes with a proper diagnosis. Then I will just take it as it comes

 

[CazMc]

Thank you Pen (everyone is so nice!) I am on tender hooks waiting on the phone to ring for results!! I jump everytime it rings:lol:

If I have Crohns/UC I will definitely be on here as it is very difficult for my friends to understand the severity of my symptoms and sometimes you just need to get them off your chest.

Caz x

 

[D Bergy]

As long as neither of you plays the Bag pipes for us I am glad to have you both here.

Just kidding. I am one of the two people who likes Bag pipe music.

Dan

 

[Guest]

hiya Caz, welcome to the forum.

it is scary knowing you have something, and scarier not knowing what it is. but you're on the way there, nearly there... just hang tight and look forward to getting the diagnosis and then the correct treatment for you.

really pleased you found us - i agree with Pen, this forum is a godsend good luck with the results - let us know.

 

[CazMc]

I am a fan of the bagpipes too!! Received word that I am to go and see my specialist on the 21st November but I am still hoping to get my biopsy results from my GP before then Just trying to keep myself busy at work at the moment to stop thinking about it.

Thank you everyone
Caz x

 

[teamgo]

Hi Carol. Good luck with your results! I would not be able to wait until 11/21 for the results, I am too impatient, but I agree that it is probably a good sign that they have not contacted you. Personally, I would still call. Hopefully, after all of the testing you've gone through, they will have a diagnosis for you!

 

[CazMc]

TeamGo, believe me I do not want to wait that long for the results It is all very confusing. When I had my colonscopy I was sent home with a letter stating that they had found something in the lining of part of my bowel and that my GP would have the full report within 2 weeks. My GP still hasn't got the full report and I heard biopsy results take 3 weeks.........

I keep getting differing info from GP's/specialists. I have been phoning my GP everyday but then they got annoyed. Don't seem to realise that I suffer from the symptoms on a daily basis!

Caz x

 

[Agent X20]

Is it worth phoning the hospital and seeing why they haven't sent the results on to your GP yet... try and sort the problem out at source.

By the way, I think the bagpipes are the devil's own instrument... but what do I know, I've got a banjo!

 

[danman]

Are you are George Formby wannabe steve?

 

[Agent X20]

The banjo's going on Ebay as soon as I can be bothered to sort it out. The banjo has a bit of a bad press but it's quite a versatile instrument. It just doesn't suit me.

If you go onto banjo forums (I wouldn't advise it) you'll find that there is a bit of a serious George Formby fanbase out there... even in the US. There are people who practice the George Formby style and sing his songs. I'm not saying it's a bad thing... but it's a bit specialised.

 

[danman]

I actually love the Banjo!!
I'm a bit of a traditional Irish music fan, and when it's played well is great.

I play Guitar, Badly.
But I'm hoping to move over to Trad guitar soon. If I can find a teacher.

 

[Agent X20]

Banjo goes well with traditional Celtic music. I currently play fingerstyle blues on acoustic guitar, but tenor sax and bass were my usual instruments. Unfortunately, ill-heath (crohns) forced me to quite my last band at Christmas and I'm not sure I'm up to the whole gigging thing any more. Playing acoustic is something I can do in the privacy of my own home... no rehearsals, no PAs, no drummers!

Sorry Caz, I seem to have hi-jacked your thread!

 

[CazMc]

It's quite alright Steve!! I have the number of my specialist's secretary so I was actually going to phone her today even although she is a little mean:confused2:

I am under a lot of pressue to get the results back from work too, they are not handling my being ill very well.......stressful.

Thank you for the advice
Caz

 

[Agent X20]

It's been noted here often...
Crohns causes stress at work, stress at work makes crohns symptoms worse... a bit of a vicous circle unfortunately. Hope it's all sorted out soon.

 

[CazMc]

Hello,

Just phoned my secretary's secretary. She said there are no results yet and biopsy results take a long time (it has already been 3 weeks!) but will be sent to GP as soon as they are ready. Is it just the NHS in Scotland that is this slow?!

Caz

 

[Agent X20]

That seems very slow. Mind you, the NHS in England took three weeks to diagnose my broken ankle in the summer. And that was only because my wife is a radiographer and had seen the same injury a million times before... she phoned them up and got them to have another look at the x-ray!

 

[CazMc]

Hey,

I sent my 2nd letter of complaint to the hospital yesterday so I am hoping I will speed them up a little. This week I seem to be suffering from weird symptoms apart from the usual such as weird little rashes on my skin which I never get and a very irriated left eye. I am falling apart!!

Caz x

 

[teamgo]

I am sorry they are still making you wait! How frustrating for you.

 

[drew_wymore]

Hey,

I sent my 2nd letter of complaint to the hospital yesterday so I am hoping I will speed them up a little. This week I seem to be suffering from weird symptoms apart from the usual such as weird little rashes on my skin which I never get and a very irriated left eye. I am falling apart!!

Caz x

Caz, keep fighting the fight. Sometimes you have to get angry, don't worry about the people in the doctor's office. They are not you, you need to worry only about yourself and how you're feeling. I finally got very angry with my GI specialist and got results the next morning.

People who don't suffer from this crazy disease simply don't understand the impact it can have on one's life.

Cheers and well wishes for you and hopefully you'll be back to feeling healthy soon.

 

[CazMc]

Thank you both I will most definitely keep fighting the fight, I am soooo un-impressed with them. My aunt is a nurse in another hospital and she is apalled at how I have been treated. I just want to know what is wrong. Anyway, onwards and upwards!!

Caz

 

[CazMc]

Well. After 3 letters of complaint I got a call from my GP today (in fact not even my one but another in the practice) saying that the biopsy results have been sent from the Pathology Dept at the hospital to the Dr's and should be with them sometime next week.

Slow post in Glasgow!! Slightly better news I guess but now worried nothing has shown and I will be back to square one:confused2:

Caz x

 

[CazMc]

Hello,

I need some advice. I had been awaiting biopsy results and I received a call from my GP surgery this morning to say that my biopsy results had come back with nothing.....despite them stating in my report they had found something. I don't know how else I can explain the nausea, stomach pain, random bm's....I just don't know where to go now. I have a follow up appointment with my specialist on the 21st November.

Caz x

 

[CazMc]

Well, I have written down all my symptoms so am ready to go and see my GP again tomorrow. I won't give up or let it take over!!!

Thanks
Caz x