Dear all
I am still undiagnosed and have not been back to any consultants since the last one pretty much told me I had IBS and Fibromyalgia and just to get on with my life. I have really really tried to do that but I know in my heart of hearts something is wrong. I have crampy pain about 6 – 7 hours after eating pretty much anything now and the sharp pain I used to get in my side has now turned to a dull uncomfortable kind of ache. Im not in pain all the time and when I am its never agony but its getting more noticeable. I have only had blood a few times and when I did it wasn’t bad just marooney red and streaky. I go to the toilet between 3 and 4 times a day and its either tiny pellets or watery diarreah mixed with undigested food. I just don’t feel right and haven’t for a long time, it all started with a vague feeling of flu/ill way before the stomach cramps started. Does this sound like chrons/colitis? I also should mention I have an underactive thyroid and uveitis and a strong family history of autoimmune issues but no chrons in family. I have had a small bowel barium follow through and an ultra sound which came back normal. Ive also had part of a colonoscopy, the consultant could only get to the first turn because im unusually twisty/narrow but what he saw was normal. My pain/ noises/ gurgles is all on the right side, the side he couldn’t reach. He referred me to another gastro so he could repeat the colonoscopy and he was the one that said I just need to get on with my life. He made me feel so small and like I was wasting all of their time. I ran out of his office crying and vowed never to go back and to deal with this on my own.
Well that was October and since then things have been gradually declining in that ive lost a bit more weight and the pains are more frequent. I called my GP for advice and he wants to refer me to Addenbrookes in Cambridge to see either Dr Middleton or Dr Woodward, I know a couple of you on here have seen Dr Middleton? My GP believes something more sinister than IBS is going on and finds it odd that they couldn’t complete my colonoscopy. I have to admit I am very dubious/ scared about seeing another consultant. I guess because part of me has been made to feel like im wasting everyones time and the other part of me has put huge barriers up to protect myself and deal with it on my own. What are your experiences with these consultants? Am I likely to be sent home with no help again because if so then I wont go and will conquer this on my own.
I read these forums quite a lot and I honestly think you are all wonderful and a huge support to one another.
At the moment I feel very alone, only my mum and closest friend know how im feeling. I don’t tell anyone else. How can I, they will all think im stupid like that consultant did. I play a lot of sport and am very sociable but im finding myself more withdrawn as im trying to battle this alone. Work colleagues, friends always say “your so skiiny and pale, are you ok? I just always reply “yeh just tired” even though I wish I could scream from the roof tops “NO IM NOT!” I just feel like this has been going on for like forever, I should also say before the two gastros I saw an endocrinologist incase it was all linked to my thyroid, a Neurologist because my eyes suddenly went funny and an opthamologist due to the uveitis. They all just look at me and draw a blank and say you look poorly but we don’t know why and then pass me on to someone else.
I guess im just desperate for advice, help and support from people who truly understand. xxx
I am still undiagnosed and have not been back to any consultants since the last one pretty much told me I had IBS and Fibromyalgia and just to get on with my life. I have really really tried to do that but I know in my heart of hearts something is wrong. I have crampy pain about 6 – 7 hours after eating pretty much anything now and the sharp pain I used to get in my side has now turned to a dull uncomfortable kind of ache. Im not in pain all the time and when I am its never agony but its getting more noticeable. I have only had blood a few times and when I did it wasn’t bad just marooney red and streaky. I go to the toilet between 3 and 4 times a day and its either tiny pellets or watery diarreah mixed with undigested food. I just don’t feel right and haven’t for a long time, it all started with a vague feeling of flu/ill way before the stomach cramps started. Does this sound like chrons/colitis? I also should mention I have an underactive thyroid and uveitis and a strong family history of autoimmune issues but no chrons in family. I have had a small bowel barium follow through and an ultra sound which came back normal. Ive also had part of a colonoscopy, the consultant could only get to the first turn because im unusually twisty/narrow but what he saw was normal. My pain/ noises/ gurgles is all on the right side, the side he couldn’t reach. He referred me to another gastro so he could repeat the colonoscopy and he was the one that said I just need to get on with my life. He made me feel so small and like I was wasting all of their time. I ran out of his office crying and vowed never to go back and to deal with this on my own.
Well that was October and since then things have been gradually declining in that ive lost a bit more weight and the pains are more frequent. I called my GP for advice and he wants to refer me to Addenbrookes in Cambridge to see either Dr Middleton or Dr Woodward, I know a couple of you on here have seen Dr Middleton? My GP believes something more sinister than IBS is going on and finds it odd that they couldn’t complete my colonoscopy. I have to admit I am very dubious/ scared about seeing another consultant. I guess because part of me has been made to feel like im wasting everyones time and the other part of me has put huge barriers up to protect myself and deal with it on my own. What are your experiences with these consultants? Am I likely to be sent home with no help again because if so then I wont go and will conquer this on my own.
I read these forums quite a lot and I honestly think you are all wonderful and a huge support to one another.
At the moment I feel very alone, only my mum and closest friend know how im feeling. I don’t tell anyone else. How can I, they will all think im stupid like that consultant did. I play a lot of sport and am very sociable but im finding myself more withdrawn as im trying to battle this alone. Work colleagues, friends always say “your so skiiny and pale, are you ok? I just always reply “yeh just tired” even though I wish I could scream from the roof tops “NO IM NOT!” I just feel like this has been going on for like forever, I should also say before the two gastros I saw an endocrinologist incase it was all linked to my thyroid, a Neurologist because my eyes suddenly went funny and an opthamologist due to the uveitis. They all just look at me and draw a blank and say you look poorly but we don’t know why and then pass me on to someone else.
I guess im just desperate for advice, help and support from people who truly understand. xxx
