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Does this sound like UC? -OP UPDATE

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Posted 7/19/2018 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone.. hoping someone can help me out, tell me what to do or something.

I've been having bloody diarrhoea for about 6 months, with cramps, urgency, and abdominal pains. Also fatigue etc.

I finally saw a GP about a month ago and she brushed it off and told me I probably have IBS and a hemorrhoid without looking at me or asking a lot. I feel like she wasn't hearing me.

I have another appointment with a different GP next week, hoping to get a referral for a colonoscopy.

Some days are worse than others. Some days I go to the toilet 10+ times or even crap myself, other days (like today) I've been once (ETA twice now) and it wasnt terrible (ETA blood and mucous but milder cramps, not as liquid). Maybe I'm getting better? I usually average about 5 trips a day (diarrhoea).

The inconsistency is maddening and makes me feel like a fraud or that its all in my head.

I just worry that I'm being ridiculous and that my symptoms will disappear by the time I get checked out and I'll be wasting everyone's time cos nothing will show.. Or maybe it is just hemorrhoids and IBS.

I don't know what I'm doing. Should I have stuck with the first Doc?

(I added a subject)

Post Edited (Bloodyhell) : 9/12/2018 2:03:02 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/19/2018 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
IBS needs treatment when the symptoms are intrusive. Even hemorrhoids can be treated to help them go away.

The fatigue could be anemia for blood loss. How much bleeding?

pursue the GI referral. Can take a while though. Try some probiotics, and see if you can get an proctology exam for the hemorrhoid.

good luck
Posted 7/19/2018 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you need to pursue this - whether or not it turns out to be something like UC or something like IBS, it needs to be diagnosed and treated because it is significantly impacting your life.

Before getting a GI referral and a colonoscopy, you should start with a primary care doctor ordering a comprehensive set of blood tests (CBC with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel, esr, crp), and stool cultures to look for (and to rule out) infectious agents. The primary care doc could also order a stool test for what is called 'fecal calprotectin,' which is a protein found in the stool when the intestines are inflamed. If that comes back positive, it's a good indicator you have more than IBS going on.

Those are cheaper, quicker and less invasive tests that are good to start with. Having those results *before* seeing a GI will help the GI quickly determine what tests you would need next.
Posted 7/19/2018 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
DBwithUC, hard to say how much blood.. its usually mixed in.. probably a couple of tablespoons worth? It's not just a few drops when I wipe or a streak. Often more like a murder scene. But looks can be deceiving too.

beave, thanks I will mention those.

I've been keeping a food/symptom diary and I just can't find a pattern at all. Seems indifferent to what I do/don't eat. Maybe I'll try probiotics again, I didn't think they were helping before but maybe I should give them another chance.

If I do have hemorrhoids, they're definitely not external.
Posted 7/19/2018 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
I'm confused as well when people talk about how dark their blood is. How dark is dark? How you do know that the mix isnt behind it being more maroon/brownish?

I can't tell what's just blood + mucous, or what's mixed with diarrhea anymore.
Posted 7/19/2018 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
You've gotten some good advice above. You could have a one-time infection (the most likely scenario) or something like an IBD/UC (rare but possible). Certainly worth investigating an IBD/UC when there's blood in stool.

Ask for a stool test for pathogenic causes to your symptoms (i.e., an infectious-colitis, a Clostridium Difficile infection, etc.). Ask for a Fecal Calprotectin stool test which measures inflammation within the intestine (if it's a simple hemorrhoid then you would not have any inflammation).

Get a referral to a gasteroenteroligist who will do a colonoscopy with biopsies to investigate more.

In case you have an IBD, I would take a few reasonable precautions that might help you feel better. For now, avoid all NSAID pain-releivers (aspirin, aleve, bayer, etc.) which agravate IBD/UC symptoms and only take tylenol which is safe for us. Avoid foods that are high in fiber (fiber is bulking and abrasive while inflammation narrows and leaves tissue raw), avoid spicy foods (which irritate the gut), avoid alcohol (which irritates and inflames the gut), avoid caffeine (which can stimulate bowel muscle movement and increase urgency), and avoid raw/uncooked foods (which are harder to digest). Eat bland, non-spiced foods: soups, broths, chicken and potato sits well when I flare.

Good luck!
Posted 7/19/2018 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
I had to go to three general practitioners before one finally took me seriously, so no, you are not being ridiculous and you definitely need to see another doctor. I was first told I had an anal fissure and to take stool softeners. Then all hell broke loose. I went to the second doctor and she told me I had the stomach flu. I knew it wasn't the stomach flu. I was in severe pain. Both these doctors did a rectal exam (they stuck their finger up my ass...it was horrible). The third finally took me seriously and ordered a CT scan and then a colonoscopy.
Posted 7/19/2018 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
My GP fiddled around so much before sending me off to a GI. By the time I went, I was being admitted into emergency care for the blood loss.

Get your butt to a GI doctor as soon as you can...
Posted 7/19/2018 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Whether it’s UC or not, make your GP take you seriously. If this one brushes you off, find another and Lee going until someone will listen to and address your concerns.

I was told three times that my issues were “probably IBS” and was only referred to the gastro because I was anemic. Even the gastro thought it was probably IBS. The first time I saw my GP after my diagnosis he had the gall to say “well those results were surprising” and it took everything in me to not fly off the handle! I knew something wasn’t okay lol smile
Posted 7/21/2018 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone.

Made me feel less silly about seeing a doctor. I don't like to make a fuss for nothing.

Maybe I've been in denial a bit. Like, "I don't get sick, that happens to other people. I'm fine, it'll clear up on its own". So when the first doc shrugged it off it made me doubt myself and ignore it more.

I've only been to the bathroom 4 times today but urgency with blood and diarrhea each time. Whatever it is, I think something's not right even if I don't want to admit it.

Oh I just found out since that first apppintment that I had a grandma that died of colon cancer. That shouldve been the kick up the bum I needed. Denial's a funny thing.
Posted 7/21/2018 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Ive been in denial as well.......... I just hope all these years havent been too detrimental. I just found out here recently that my grandpa has colon cancer.

Good luck to you
Posted 8/2/2018 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
So just a small update..

I got a new GP and have now gotten a referral to see a GI in three weeks and will then hopefully be given a date for my scope.

I'm getting worse in the meantime. Now going 10 times everyday. Feeling nauseas with the more severe cramps. Definitely dark blood involved sometimes. I'm beginning to fear cancer if I'm honest.

I'm trying to pass the time til my appointment but I can't not think about this when my life is revolving around pooping blood and not being able to leave the house for fear of needing a toilet. I'm miserable. I'm having trouble taking care of my toddler.

All this to say.. I don't know what's wrong with me yet but if anyone is reading this and putting off getting checked out.. just go and do it. You don't know how long it'll take to sort it out and it may just keep getting worse in the meantime.

Don't be an idiot like me.
Posted 8/2/2018 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Please keep us updated.
Posted 8/2/2018 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Waiting is the worst. The most likely scenario is an infectious-colitis (the statistically most common within the general population), followed by an IBD like UC/Crohn's (fairly rare, about 1% of the population), and the least likely by far is a colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is extremely rare, and very unlikely and I would not even consider that eventuality unless you have a family-history of CRC.

Have they ordered a stool test for possible infectious causes yet? Your General Practitioner or Family Doctor should be able to order one. Often done in advance of seeing a gasteronenteroligist and in advance of a colonoscopy. As I said, infections are the most common cause of the symptoms you describe and that test will determine whether a colonoscopy or gasteroenteroligist are even needed at all. A GP can treat infectious-colitis.
Posted 8/2/2018 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a grandparent die of bowel cancer but I don't know how old they were when it happened (estranged family) so may or may not be hereditary/relevant.

Yes, sorry I should have mentioned what tests I did with
the GP.

I had stool test done for infectious causes (I had to push for it a bit, they didnt seem concerned) and it came up negative. Also had fecal occult blood tests although I'm not sure why as the blood is VERY visible. I figured it was for the sake of paperwork for the referral.

Also had some general bloodwork done as an overall check up. I'm fairly low on iron but not clinically significant at this stage. GP also had CEA levels checked which I thought was a strange thing to do as it is not a diagnostic test for cancer, only useful for tracking treatment of known tumours sometimes.

I didn't have samples checked for inflammation though. Is this something I should chase up before the GI appointment or does it not make much difference once I've got the scope done? GP was helpful in getting the referral but was a bit frustrating to deal with so if I don't need to go back just yet I won't..

ETA I also had a digital rectal exam which was a bit unpleasant. She said she didn't think it was hemorrhoids but I've heard that DREs are unreliable as internal hemmies can be too soft to feel? Anyway, her approach to the whole thing and the particular bloodwork she wanted made me feel like she was more concerned abour cancer so I think that just rubbed off on me a bit. I guess I won't know for sure til they do a scope.

Post Edited (Bloodyhell) : 8/2/2018 8:27:07 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/2/2018 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
please try to put the C thoughts away - there's less than a .0000000000000000001 % chance you are a recipient - focus more on getting your heiny hole looked at sooner than later in order to get a diagnosis in order to get on some meds that will give you some relief -

in the mean time, keep lots of good (not sugary junky crap) hydration going and eat what works for you - try to keep it simple but you need food so eat what you can - it's tough cuz you need nutrition but more food sometimes equates to more poop rolleyes
Posted 8/2/2018 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ultimately it’s going to be the scope with biopsies taken to give you a diagnosis one way or the other. It will take a few weeks to get your scope approved & scheduled. He can also order any labs he wants done before the scope because you will have some lag time in between.

The waiting & unknown is the worst so try to stay busy with something.
Posted 8/2/2018 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
More probable UC then, as you're already negative for infectious causes. A colonoscopy is the most accurate tool available for measuring inflammation (much more so than a FCP stool or CRP blood test).

I know the sight of blood in stool is a bit disconcerting. However, you should realize that even when UC patients flare severely, we only loose a total of between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon of blood within a 24-hour period.

Some reasonable precautions for now: avoid all NSAID pain relievers (no asprin, aleve, bayer, etc.) and stick only to tylenol. NSAIDs worsen IBD/UC symptoms. Eat bland and non-spiced, well-cooked foods that are low in fiber (e.g., soups, broths, chicken, and potatoes). Fiber is bulking and abrasive and not something you want in an inflamed large intestine with a much narrower inside diameter that's raw and bleeding. Raw foods are much harder to digest and usually high in fiber. Get a hot water bottle or heat retaining pad, and put it on your lower abdomen for temporary relief of aches and pains.
Posted 8/3/2018 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words and advice. I'm sure a lot of people here have things much worse than myself.

I will let you all know what the scope says.
Posted 9/12/2018 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
UPDATE:

Had my scope this morning after a week of intense pain and bleeding, getting up 10 times a night with urgency.

I'm waiting on biopsies for official confirmation but they're telling me i have severe ulcerative colitis (pancolitis) and they've got me on iv steroids. I have to stay in hospital for 5 days for monitoring.

Again, anyone reading this and putting off seeing a doctor... JUST DO IT.

Post Edited (Bloodyhell) : 9/13/2018 2:22:22 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/12/2018 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Poor thing. I am so sorry that it looks like IBD. It sounded like it from the symptoms you've been describing and from the impact it's having on your ability to live life. Sounds like how I was when I was flaring, just miserable.

Don't worry, there are a lot of medical options you can try, and the steroids usually nip things quickly. You will finally be feeling back to your normal self sooner than later. It's sad that it took so much effort for you to get referred to a GI and get a scope when you clearly needed it badly.

Get some rest and feel better quickly.
Posted 9/15/2018 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I missed seeing your first post or I would have said: the blood amount you reported would make a decent primary doc refer you to a GI asap if it lasted more than an episode or 2 (hemmies etc). Doing a occult test for blood is stupid when you are reporting lots of blood but as you said it may be for paper trail. Guess insurance cos. think we lie about bleeding just for the fun of a colonoscopy?

Hope your biopsies are no worse than what your GI told you they saw.
Sorry you had almost 2 months of suffering before finding out what you have.
At least you know.

Have you gotten a better primary doc? Your first seems undependable when needed.
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