So Confused...any help appreciated

[Catty_1987]

Hi Everyone,
I've been reading on here for a few weeks and found it to be a great support and very informative. I guess I'm just after a bit of advice from those with more experience than myself as I am yet to find answers. Plus it would just be really nice to hear from people who understand!

It started in November last year when I was admitted to hospital with a fever, severe abdo pain, vomiting and quite bad constipation (which they could see on x-ray). I was kept in overnight and given IV antibiotics and pain relief which made me feel much better. Since then I have suffered with these symptoms:

- Chronic nausea
- General abdo pain and stabbing pains on the right hand side of my abdomen
- Fatigue (probably one of the worst parts)
- Lost about 11lbs (I'm only small and didn't have that to lose!)
- Loss of apetite with insatiable hunger at other times
- Diarrhea and constipation

I was diagnosed with IBS about 2 years ago but this now feels much different and much more severe. My GP has referred me to a GI and I have an endoscopy and a colonoscopy scheduled for the end of April.

I go between feeling quite ill followed by feeling fine, just a little tired. It's when I'm feeling ok that I feel a bit like a fraud as I know others have this much much worse but it's still taking over my life at the moment.

It would be really useful to know whether you can have periods of a few days at a time when you don't feel too bad during a flare? My symptoms are all over the place, very mild one day but much worse the next...I'm so confused and just want to feel well again!

Any insight would be really appreciated

 

[SarahBear]

Hi, Catty! Welcome to the forum.

To answer your question, yes - you can feel well for periods of time during a flare. You can also feel unwell for periods while you're not having a flare. As I like to say, IBD does what it wants when it wants.

I'm glad you're getting things checked out! A few questions: have your doctors mentioned IBD as a possibility, or are they still thinking IBS? What has made you think IBD? Do you ever have blood in your stool, and are you ever woken up at night by pain or bowel movements?

:hug: I hope your tests go well and you can feel better soon!

 

[Catty_1987]

Hi SarahBear!

Thank you for responding, your answer has provided me with some peace of mind.

My GP took me quite seriously from the start and she mentioned concerns of IBD, which meant nothing to me at the time! Since then, my GI said he wanted to check for crohns or colitis...which led me here. The more I realise this nasty thing doesn't seem to be going away, the more reality is kicking in and I'm terrified.

Sorry to be graphic but I've had very dark stools and a couple of occasions of slightly bloody mucus...eurgh. It has never woken me at night though other than when it was too painful to sleep in the first place.

Catty x

 

[SarahBear]

There's no such thing as graphic around here! You don't need to worry about that! Blood does indicate that something more than IBS is going on. I'm glad you're getting it checked out soon!

It may not be going away now - but as soon as you find out what is going on, you're able to start treatment. You're likely to feel a lot better after that. A diagnosis of something like this can be a tough thing to handle - but it also puts you a step closer to feeling good again.

:hug:

 

[Catty_1987]

Thanks Fingers crossed for some answers soon!