1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Ulcerative Colitis

scared and unwell - can anyone help?

Posted , 6 users are following.

melanie16925
melanie16925

Hi, I was looking for some advice. I have been suffering from bleeding/mucas in very loose stools (I'm going to the loo about 6-10 a day - very urgently sometimes within a few hours of eating), gas/bloating/lack of appetite/cramps/low energy every day for about 5 weeks now. The only way I am finding I get any relief from these symptoms is to not eat - adding to the tiredness. I have been examined by a GP who could not find any hemmoroids/tears to explain the bleeding/clots (there is quite a lot/mid red colour) so referred me for blood tests (full blood count/kidney/liver function/imflammation). These came back last week as 'satisfsctory'. I am now waiting for a colonoscopy appointment. I'm scared as I've never had one before. I suppose I am asking 1. What should I expect at the colonoscopy and 2. In your experience are my symptoms anything like chrons/colitis or am I totally barking upthe wrong tree? All I know is that something is wrong and I'm not sure how best to help myself - other than not go too far from a toilet!! Plus im wprried as my blood tests have come back ok that the colonoscopy wont find anything either. Any advice gratefully received. I'm a woman aged 33. Thanks.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

Next
  • nicola89530
    nicola89530 melanie16925

    Posted

    Hi Melanie,

    I'm was recently diagnosed with Colitis, I myself had similar symptons that you are describing although I didn't suffer for aslong as you, as the pain was to too unbearble I was taken to A&E. When I went to my doctor he too, couldn't tell me what was wrong which is a tad dis-heartening.When I was in the hospital all that my blood tests showed up was some form of infection that my body was fighting, I had a Colonoscopy, I will admit it was a tad uncomfortable, but didn't hurt and they took some biopsy samples to test too. To me it does sound something like crohns/colitis, but these tests will prove it hopefully. I would just keep yourself hydrated, as having frequent toilet visits as you are can dehydrate your body...with you having blood in the stool it's defaintely best to get it checked out....

    I hope this helps smile

    Nikki

    • melanie16925
      melanie16925 nicola89530

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply. I'm sorry to hear you were not well too. I guess I'm just going to have to suck it up and prep for the colonoscopy. At least I know that my symptoms are not unusual (in the sense of what others experience) and warrant further investigation. I'm just hoping that I get some kind of diagnosis and then I might be able to figure out how best to help myself with food/excersise etc. Ill take your advice on liquids too. I find tea can really make me need the loo so im just sticking to waster for now! Hope you are feeling better now and thanks again for your reply. 😃
    • nicola89530
      nicola89530 melanie16925

      Posted

      You're welcome smile

      I hope you get closure on what you have. When I found out I was a little shocked, as I've never bee b ill in my life and all of a sudden I get ill and have a condition that I have to live with for the rest of my life....it's a tad scary....I think they can offer a sedative for the Colonoscopy (if you feel really unconfortable) to do it, not sure if your open to that... I'm doing ok....no loose stools or blood/mucus so I think it's called "remission" at the moment which is good...I have a load of meds to take but hey...it could be worse. I've got a follow up hospital check nxt week so we shall see

  • gabe99
    gabe99 melanie16925

    Posted

    Definitely sounds like UC.  A colonoscopy is nothing as long as your doc gives you sufficient sedation.  I normally get demerol and/or valium intravenously and wake up an hour after the procedure with no memory of what went on and of course feel no pain during the procedure.  If the colonosopy is some time off ask your GP to treat you as if you had UC, perhaps with prednisone. 

    Below is some advice froma nutritionaist on foods to eat and avoid with UC.  But it depends on the individual.  Pay attention to what foods, if any, bother you. 

    Minimizing stress in your life may help.  Try relaxation exercises as well.

    Hope that helps somewhat and good luck!

    Avoid INSOLUBLE Fibre

    Whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice

    Vegetable skins – corn and peas

    Raw vegetables

    Fruit skins and seeds – avoid strawberries, raspberries

    Whole nuts and seeds – almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds

    Choose sources of SOLUBLE fibre

    White bread, pasta, white rice, white bagels, pita

    Peel and cook vegetables

    Peel and core fruits, fruit cups and juice, applesauce OK

    Nut butters instead of whole nuts, peanut butter

    Oatmeal

    Tapioca

    Legumes such as chick peas, kidney beans, plack beans

    Barley

  • melanie16925
    melanie16925

    Posted

    Thanks so much for the help guys! At least I'm not on my own! Sometimes these things are embarrassing to talk about and I've not really told anyone - particularly about the bleeding. Although I think folk at work are starting to notice my frequent trips to the loo! 😳 I think I'll be taking the sedation option for the colonoscopy - I hope the appointment comes in sooner rather than later. Its been about 3 weeks since I was referred so who knows. I feel a little less scared now - I think our brains are just programmed to panic when it sees a lot of blood - especially from, well, there. I may just try changing my diet too - I have noticed a difference when eating white bread - something I never usually eat. I don't eat any meat or fish so I think I may struggle with diet but your help is much appreciated. Thanks again guys. 😃
    • gabe99
      gabe99 melanie16925

      Posted

      I would suggest you call your GP and find out what's happening with the appointment.  You need to take charge of your condition and push your doctors if necessary.

      Hello Melanie,

      Here is my UC history in case you find something helpful in it.   You might also want to search this site as there are many posts on UC.

      I had the first uc attack of my life around the same age forty-five years ago. I was hospitalized for three weeks and then returned to work feeling quite fine. I don't remember what medication I was given, but probably steroids. I felt much better almost immediately. I read up on the disease and found that it could be caused or exacerbated by stress.

      I read a book on relaxation techniques and followed its suggestions on a daily basis. I'd lie down, close my eyes and over a fifteen minute period go through a kind of mantra of "relax your feet, relax your thighs" etc all the way up to the top of my head. But slowly, with eyes closed and trying consciencously relaxing my whole body. During the day I'd be conscious of trying to relax especially my stomach muscles to check on myself.

      I also resolved to reduce the stresses in my life as much as possible ( ailing mother, very young brother). Perhaps miraculously, I didn't have any serious flareups for decades. I'd occasinally gets bouts of diarrhea, probably over-treated by prednisone, but I never missed work after that. Married, have two grown children and just retired after forty-five years. UC did not affect my life very much if at all.

      True, fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with PSC (something related to UC - both autoimmune diseases) six months after first retiring and had a liver transplant. After a year, I returned to a new career, teaching in my field at a community college. And now after twelve years have probably finally retired for good.

      What I want to get across is that you can have a normal life with uc, although perhaps not eveyrone does.

      Try to reduce any stresses in your life. Put yourself first, at least for now. Definitely go back to a specialist and don't give up. Try to take charge of your condition. Find a doctor you can talk to who listens and have a positive attitude (if possible). This may be the worst it ever gets. Good luck

    • gabe99
      gabe99 melanie16925

      Posted

      Just one more thing.  In case you haven't discovered it yet, Immodium will often give you several hours of relief when you have to be out of the house.  Even half a tablet may do.
    • melanie16925
      melanie16925 gabe99

      Posted

      Thanks gabe99! Pretty inspiring stuff! Sounds like you well and truly have it under control! I think stress has played a factor in this for me (I have a pretty stressful job and there have been three deaths in my family so far this year) but, if the truth be told I know these symptoms have, to as lesser degree perhaps, been around for some time. I'll take your tips on relaxation and perhaps call my GP on Monday to see what's happening. Many thanks, Mel. 😃
  • charlotte44370
    charlotte44370 melanie16925

    Posted

    I had very similar symptoms to you, I've got ulcerative colitis at 19 years old. I was in so much pain I also ended up in a and e, although was sent home again. I saw my GP the day after and he sent me straight back to the hospital I was admitted they told me it was gastroenteritis I was then admitted a week later and had a colonoscopy which isn't too bad a bit of discomfort but nothing horrific so don't worry. This is when I was finally told I had UC.. Keep pushing them for answers else you get no where. I lost a stone in 2 weeks and was on a drip in hospital as I was severely dehydrated. Blood tests will not show up UC, although people with UC often have low iron levels due to blood loss in stools. I was on steriods for about 8 weeks now I'm only on masazaline and this controls it although there are ways to help as mentioned above.. Try to keep stress down. And avoid onions! Haha hope this helps x
    • melanie16925
      melanie16925 charlotte44370

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice Charlotte 😃 I was worried that as the bloods I had done were 'satisfactory' that I might be wasting everyone's time going for the colonoscopy as it couldn't be UC/crohns if bloods didn't show inflammation. It has to be something though I guess... I'm not sure about the onions but I have noticed that I cannot tolerate chocolate anymore at all!! 😯 I'm not noticing much pain however, like yourself and others have had to go to hospital, I only really have cramping after I eat but goes away after I've been to the loo. I'm going to start a food diary too as I've found although I don't have a great appetite some things have 'stayed in' more than others. Guess it's just trial and error until the procedure... Thanks for the reply! 😀
    • melanie16925
      melanie16925 charlotte44370

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply Charlotte. 😀 I was worried that as my bloods so far have come back as 'satisfactory' that it could not possibly be UC/crohns and that a colonoscopy would be a waste of everyone's time! I suppose I'll just have to wait and have the procedure - something is obviously not right with me! I'm not finding I am in much pain though - it seems you and others have had to go to hospital. I get cramping after I eat but this tends to go away after I've been to the loo. Everyone is different I guess. I'll try a food diary too - don't know about onions but I know for a fact I can't tolerate chocolate anymore! 😯 I'll chase up my appt and take it from there. Although I have no real appetite I'll try out some of the ideas above too and see if it helps. Thanks again for your reply. 😀
  • Maryjo
    Maryjo melanie16925

    Posted

    Hi Melanie.....have uc for 25 ryes and few months ago I discovered that if I take one teaspoon lepicol the one with the probiotic in it and one teaspoon of psyllium seeds mixed in glass of water and left to sit for half hour ( u can also include one teaspoon of hemp protein for its protein etc if u wish) and drink twice a day at the start. Psyllium seed releases and  processes butyric acid (also found in butter) Coloncytes in bowel react well to it as an anti inflammatory and possibly may help settle uc in mean time.i have been relatively symptom free from starting feb past. Good luck.....Mary jo
  • Maryjo
    Maryjo melanie16925

    Posted

    Also forgot to say avoid anything with sugar in it....worst possible thing for uc.....hard to avoid I know but at least keep to minimum.....those fruit yogurts etc are usually lethal for uc people !  MJMJ
    • melanie16925
      melanie16925 Maryjo

      Posted

      Thanks Maryjo! It's looking like I'm going to have to give my diet a major overhaul. As a vegetarian who also does not eat fish I've relied heavily on soy products and dairy up till now. Reckon I'll be ok avoiding sugar but finding I'm not able to tolerate chocolate has been a blow! :-( I've eaten white bread and white pasta today and interestingly far less trips to the loo! Who knew - seeded bead/pasta have been a staple of mine for years! I'm all up for trying new things - I'll certainly look into your suggestions. Many thanks and I hope you stay well..:-)
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.