Hi everyone

I’ve been having some bowel issues for the last 9ish months. I’m pretty sure I have ibs but never been told officially.

In September last year I noticed (what I thought was) dark red blood/blood clots in my stools. I went to the doctor. He did an examine for pile (nothing found) checked my stomach (fine) and a blood test (normal). He referred me to a consultant anyway to be on the safe side (mostly because I have the brca2 gene mutation, even though bowel cancer isn’t really associated with this). Anyway I later noticed while inspecting my stool (I know!) that what i thought was blood was actually red pepper! I then obviously felt stupid and ended up cancelling my appointment with the consultant.

Then in mid April the same thing happened again. Now there’s a tiny possibility that it was food again (thought I’m about 98% sure this time it’s was actually blood. I also had once instance of a black stool, though it was solid not tarry and mixed with softer ‘normal’ coloured stools so idk.

Went back to the doctor. This time he said he could ‘maybe’ feel a pile. He also is going to refer me again once he can due to everything going on. He also prescribed buscopan. I’ve never taken it before and it did help with some of the cramping. I took it regularly for about a week then it was a bit hit an miss. However, now for the last week I’ve have awful constipation. Really struggling to go and straining really hard. This is really unusual for me as I’m normally ‘looser’. Has anyone else experienced this with buscopan? I’ve been drinking loads of water and going on walks but nothing is helping. I’m just freaking out a bit because ive been taking the fact that my toilet habits hadn’t changed as a good sign but now this has happened.

Thanks.