Please help! Whats wrong with me?

[becky.bee86]

Hello everyone, my names Becks and I am 23 years old. I am so glad to have found this forum!
Well here's my story:
I have been having problems with my bowels for over a year now. I first went to see my GP who with no physical examination and only on my description of my symptoms prescribed me merbeverine and said I suffered from IBS.
Back then I thought "who am I to judge a Dr's view and diagnosis" so I went with it and took the merbeverine as and when I needed it.
Now, for the last 2 months I have been experiencing severe abdominal pains, all over my abdomen. They are so severe I have to go to bed and lie in the foetal position to gain any relief at all. During these 'attacks' I also experience a fever. I am experiencing these pains up to 4 times a day and when its not severe pain its a constant dull pain in my abdomen.
My abdomen is also swollen and tender. I am using the bathroom A LOT more regularly, up to 6 times a day and I am continually feeling like I need to deficate when I dont really need to, I am ranging from soft stools to diarrhoea and both are very smelly . I have experienced a massive increase in flatulence and belching
I am continually tired and weak and have continuous mouth ulcers.
I am just so confused at the moment and my GP is making me feel like im making this up. I have had bloods taken today and will be getting the results on Monday.
Does IBD always show on blood tests or should I push to get a referal to a specialist, a GI doctor?
Do my symptoms sounds like IBD?
Any opinions and advice would be much appreciated and I am just so scared

Take Care

Becks

 

[imisspopcorn]

:welcome: Becks.....I think you should push for a GI consult. The mouth ulcers are common in IBD.....Also, the severe pain and fever is not a normal IBS symptom....I am sorry you are having to go through this....If the GP won't refer you, I think you might want to consider finding a different doctor. Good luck, I hope you get some answers soon.

 

[becky.bee86]

Thank you imisspopcorn! I have another appointment with a different GP on Monday so hopefully I can get a referal. X

 

[Nyx]

I'm with IMP on this one. Try and get a referral to a GI and get this checked out. Prior to my diagnosis I too had fevers, but no pain. That was because of the inflammation in my guts. I hope you get some answers and relief soon...good luck to you! Oh, and welcome to the forum

 

[farm]

Sounds like Crohns to me. Especially when you said mouth ulcers. You need to see a GI and have a colonoscopy done to see what you do have. Good luck and welcome to the site.

 

[Agent X20]

I'm surprised (and disappointed) that the GP didn't give you any sort of physical examination... that doesn't fill me with a lot of cofidence. I'm glad you've got another appointment with a different doctor, hopefully you'll get some answers

 

[lilninja]

Before i knew i had crohn's. i had the abdomen pain and fever. i would see a different dr. you shouldn't be in pain

 

[Crohn's 35]

HI Becky, welcome to the forum... you have had some IBD issues, and as the others say you need to get a colonscopy and or blood work done. But don't be surprised if you don't get results right away. Some people get dx right away others... drag out. Be firm about this and get help to referred to a good specialist. Prolonging only causes IBD to get worse. Hope we have helped.

 

[becky.bee86]

Many thanks to you all for your advice and support. Like I said hopefully this new GP on Monday will be of a different opinion and actually take me seriously. Will keep you all updated with the results on Monday! Finally, will the blood test show anything with regards to IBD?

Take Care and many thanks once again

Becks

 

[imisspopcorn]

It depends on what tests he had done......Do you know what was done?
I'm sure he did a CBC(complete blood count) Many people with IBD are anemic, so that would be a sign
...Also it would check your white blood count. If is elevated that would signal infection
...The hallmark tests for inflamation are either the CRP (C-reactuve protien) or SED rate. If these are elevated it means there is some sort of inflamation going on.( Most People with IBD have elevated levels during a flare)

 

[InkyStinky]

Hi Becks!

I also think you should see a GI. And I'm very glad you are seeing a different GP on Monday - I'll have my fingers crossed that he/she is better than your last one! GI symptoms like you are describing are not "all in your head" and your primary care doctor should take them seriously and refer you to a GI.

 

[Mountaingem]

Sounds like Crohns to me. Especially when you said mouth ulcers. You need to see a GI and have a colonoscopy done to see what you do have. Good luck and welcome to the site.

Hi Becks-nice to meet you! I second farm-mouth ulcers say Crohn's to me. I had very similar symptoms before things headed south for me. The mouth ulcers were the first sign of Crohn's I had-even before the usual diarrhea/bloating/pain began.

 

[Astra]

Hi Becks
and welcome!

I just wanted to say I agree too with the others, but also wanted to add, dont hesitate for a minute if you start vomiting, go straight to A&E, don't wait for GP appt, dont wait til Monday
Try not to be afraid of this, you just might have an infection setting in, hence your fever symptoms, and a CRP reading will confirm this
Where are you Becks? UK? US?
hope you get some answers soon, you shouldn't have to be in pain like this
lotsa luv
Joan
xxx

 

[KaylaRaie]

Hi Becks,
I too am new to this forum but read your post and wanted to share my story with you as I know how frustrated you are.

I am currently 21 years old and last Spring I was having similar symptoms. I was constantly running to the bathroom sometimes diarrhoea and sometimes i would sit there in agonizing pain wishing i could push something out but nothing happened. I was in the bathroom most of the day! I too went to see my GI and he just looked at me and said "try immodium", then sent me home. I went home and was so sick that i was throwing up, had a high fever, agonizing stomach pain that nothing would help. I was missing work, couldnt go anywhere, and was so fatigued that i didnt want to go anywhere. I was very unhappy with what my GI had said so I went for a second opinion. When I saw the second doctor she took stool samples and blood tests and nothing came back. She too then said to take Immodium and go home. I did what she said for about a week but not a single symptom was subsiding. Finally I had enough and went back to see her. She again took stool samples, blood work, and a urine sample agian coming back clean. That night she phoned me and told me that she was booking me for a colonoscopy 3 days later!!!! I had the colonoscopy and sure enough they found Crohn's.

I guess what Im trying to say is please DONT GIVE UP!!!! If it takes 2 or 10 opinions to get an answer. Crohn's and IBD will not always show up in lab tests like stool, urine, or blood. Good luck with your second opinion Becks and hope you get an answer and feel better soon.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Becks,
I too am new to this forum but read your post and wanted to share my story with you as I know how frustrated you are.

I am currently 21 years old and last Spring I was having similar symptoms. I was constantly running to the bathroom sometimes diarrhoea and sometimes i would sit there in agonizing pain wishing i could push something out but nothing happened. I was in the bathroom most of the day! I too went to see my GI and he just looked at me and said "try immodium", then sent me home. I went home and was so sick that i was throwing up, had a high fever, agonizing stomach pain that nothing would help. I was missing work, couldnt go anywhere, and was so fatigued that i didnt want to go anywhere. I was very unhappy with what my GI had said so I went for a second opinion. When I saw the second doctor she took stool samples and blood tests and nothing came back. She too then said to take Immodium and go home. I did what she said for about a week but not a single symptom was subsiding. Finally I had enough and went back to see her. She again took stool samples, blood work, and a urine sample agian coming back clean. That night she phoned me and told me that she was booking me for a colonoscopy 3 days later!!!! I had the colonoscopy and sure enough they found Crohn's.

I guess what Im trying to say is please DONT GIVE UP!!!! If it takes 2 or 10 opinions to get an answer. Crohn's and IBD will not always show up in lab tests like stool, urine, or blood. Good luck with your second opinion Becks and hope you get an answer and feel better soon.

:welcome: Kayla !!! Good advice! Glad you came aboard, and another fellow Canadian is nice! It took me a year of agony to be dx and you are right you can't give up, especially when you know you are not lying about your symptoms. Crohn's is very hard to dx....welcome to the Crohnie family

 

[Pirate]

Becks and Kayla, welcome to the Forum. You will get great advice here and meet a lot of great people. I am saddened by the fact that you guys are suffering. We never like to see new members but with this disease we have to have a place like this to vent and get advice.
Good luck to both of you.

 

[Nicole]

Nice to have you, Becks.

I feel for you, my friend. I have had more than ten years of fever, pain and bathroom issues and last year the mouth ulcers became more frequent. I've been brushed off so many times by GPs I start to have anxiety attacks and of course that didn't help. And yes, they did make me feel like I was making the whole thing up. After changing GPs a few times I finally insisted on having a colonoscopy done which gave a clear diagnosis.

Don't take any chances. As with everyone's advice, get that referral and see a GI as soon as possible. You have the right to know what happening with you. Glad you hooked up with us.

Sending you good vibes from the Caribbean.