Potential Ulcerative Colitis Flair Up - Kidney pain, left side of abdomen and lower back.
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Hello, I'm a 31 year old male who is waiting on the official diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis. One of my many symptoms of UC is red bumps in numerous spots on my body which a few doctors have chalked up to eczema - however these don't get worse in the winter and don't go away with normal eczema medication.
I live in the UK and have had a rough go of it through the NHS. In August I noticed a pain in my left oblique area which I chalked up to a strained muscle after doing a hard kettlebell workout and then golfing 36 holes in a day. I got blood work and a stool sample done and there was nothing alarming (aside from low Folic Acid counts). I was referred to a Gastroenterologist but my appointment isn't until mid February (oh the NHS!).
Over the last 2 weeks I've had really bad pains in my left abdomen but have also had pains in my lower back (left side) as well as my kidney (just below my left ribcage). It almost feels like a pressure buildup that goes away after I pee or pass a stool. My stools & pee look normal and the pain seems to be slowly easing but it's still there.
I'm starting to get a bit worried because I've gone to emergency services. The individual at emergency services literally told me there was nothing he could do and if I was worried enough I should just pay for a private colonoscopy (£1800 or more). I called my GP back and they won't even let me come into the office for a follow up appointment due to COVID health and safety issues. Everything is over a phone and the soonest appointment is 3 weeks from now.
As somebody who is very regimented with what I put into my body, I know this is not from a singular food. 2 things I'm wondering about though are if this could be coming on due to marajuana which I unfortunately smoke too much of (daily user). Also I use a carrying cup for my coffee and noticed a few areas of mould in the bottom of it last Sunday before throwing it away.
Could this simply be a pulled muscle and an adverse reaction to consuming mouldy coffee for a week or 2? An ulcerative colitis flair? At this point I'm just looking for some over the counter remedies get me to my Gastro appointment in February, but I am also making myself a bit paranoid that I have a serious problem and am making it worse by letting it fester for the next 3 months.
0 likes, 3 replies
sasical72 DT23
Edited
Hi there,
Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Who gave you the possible ulcerative colitis diagnosis? your gp?
DT23 sasical72
Edited
I appreciate the quick response!
Short answer: both my old GP in the US and my new GP in the UK have said that I could have UC.
Long answer: I am from the US and moved to the UK a few years back. I cancelled my health insurance in the states before I moved. I was in the US visiting family when I had an issue which caused me to go back to my former GP in the US. I described the symptoms and he said it sounded like an Inflammatory Bowel Disease like UC. I wasn't willing to pay out of pocket for the colonoscopy test, so he told me to get a colonoscopy when I got back to England.
I came back to the UK, didn't 'qualify' through the NHS and went on with life. Flash forward 18 months to June when I had another issue (this time in the UK). This time I got blood work done and submitted a stool sample. They said everything came back normal (save low folic acid levels). I was still having pain so I got another appointment where my GP said he thought I had an IBD like UC.
This was in August and my first gastro appointment is not until mid February, so I won't know for certain until then. At the moment I'm just trying to figure out if this is a normal IBD flair up or if it's something I need to stop everything and go to the emergency room for.
sasical72 DT23
Posted
I understand. From my understanding IBD would show up in the stool test. At least when the gastro doc was suspecting I had IBD and the stool test came out ok, he seemed to automatically rule that out and decided it was IBS.
Regarding the pain being from Marihuana I doubt it, but as a recovered addict myself, I would strongly recommend you try to stop, it messes with head.
Unfortunately nobody can diagnose you here online, I mean it could be IBS or it could be something else. If it is improving that is good sign. Maybe wait a bit to see if it continues to improve and if not try to get an urgent appointment with your doc or any other one available or it it gets really bad jist head to the E.R.
Good luck!