IBS/IBD lasting a long time

[trappedwind]

As I’ve posted previously, over the last 4-5 months, I’ve been suffering from bloating, trapped wind, acid reflux and episodes of discomfort and pain that seems to arrive (and depart) in random parts of my abdomen, side and even chest.

Although my appetite seems fine (though I have cut out alcohol, apples and garlic) and I haven’t lost any major weight and I’m not vomiting, this is causing me a lot of anxiety and distress (I had a panic attack about a brain tumour a fortnight ago, which was only resolved by visitng the optician) and more recently had a nightmare about vomiting blood).

I had a battery of blood and stool tests (FIT, CRP, LFTs etc) in November which came out all clear, apart from a mild folate acid deficiency (my GP told me that I was not anemic).

I’m now due to visit my GP for what will be my first face-to-face appointment (the first two were over the phone), which I hope will either lead me to some more answers as the last thing I got in December were some vague words about his belief that I might have some "bad bacteria").

Has anyone got some advice for the sort of questions that I should be asking my GP?

Is it reasonable for me to assume that, if I had a problem like stomach cancer, I would be in a lot more pain by now?

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads.

Please when posting on similar topics add it onto your previous post rather than starting a new one.

It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.

[Fishmanpa]

Has anyone got some advice for the sort of questions that I should be asking my GP?

Yes... 'How can I treat and challenge the irrational thoughts and anxiety these thoughts cause me?'

Is it reasonable for me to assume that, if I had a problem like stomach cancer, I would be in a lot more pain by now?

Yes!

FMP

[pulisa]

I've booked a face to face appointment with my GP - in 3 weeks time which is the earliest that I could get.

But I'm still very worried. I've got aches and pains, constipation (though when I do go the stools look normal) and I'm feeling extremely tired and depressed all of a sudden, after a couple of weeks in which I had been doing really well. I know stress can trigger problems and I know I maybe have been a bit too rigorous in trying to cut out sweets, gluten and most other things from my diet to the point where I've lost weight.

I also know that the FIIT is pretty good (97%) at ruling out colorectal cancer and can even indicate a reduced risk of other cancers. I also know that not being anemic (at least 2 months ago when the tests were taken) is another big positive. I also know that my mother has struggled with indigestion and stomach pains for the past 35 years, and my grandmother (who lived to 98) also had indigestion for most of her adult life.

But I'm just scared that I've got stomach or even liver cancer (despite my LFT being normal).

I agree with FMP's comments..Your GP can help you manage your IBS but you really do need to challenge your HA whether this is with specific therapy from a professional or by accessing all the extensive resources and advice available online and on NMP.

Good luck with your GP appointment and your test results are really good which should be very reassuring for you...but isn't at the moment, I know! Those FIT tests are very accurate.

[trappedwind]

Thanks for the advice, understand what you are saying – and very much hope you are right!

However, I’m still worried.

When I eventually spoke to my GP three weeks ago, he tentatively agreed when I asked him whether I had had it too long for it to be stomach cancer (this is my main worry as the stool test has a very high accuracy rate in ruling out bowel cancer).

However, he still though it needed to be checked out by a specialist who could give me a proper diagnosis. His theory is now that it is GERD (due to the very occasional chest pains) and he prescribed me Omeprazole.

It briefly reduced my trapped wind, but hasn’t really helped and in fact led to a nasty episode of nausea for a day. Although I wasn’t actually physically sick and my appetite is now fully restored, this frightened me since nausea is one the symptoms of cancer.

Worse, when I got a letter from the hospital confirming my appointment I learned that, due to the NHS crisis, I won’t actually see the consultant for 11 months.

Given the way in which this worry has ruined the last 5 months, I’m considering paying for a private MRI scan of my upper and lower GI (I’m not wealthy but I have some modest savings).

1. Do you think that this would be useful?
2. Are there any alternative tests that I should considering performing? I was thinking about testing for hpylori just in case I have some sort of ulcer.
3. I’m due to get a repeat prescription in a week, should I mention the nausea to him?

[Beckybecks]

Hi I've just been reading through your long journey with ibs symptoms and I'm replying to hopefully give you some reassurance.
I've had ibs on and off for more than 20 years which has got worse as I've got older and my anxiety has increased.
I've been to so many doctors
specialists, naturalists and psychologists to find relief. I've had all the tests, blood, colonoscopy, endoscopy, and even had my gallbladder removed and been treated for helicobactor pylori. None of it actually helped, well maybe just temporarily because I felt relief that the doctor was doing something, finding something, treating me for something. I've taken treatment for bacteria, omeprazole, Gasgon, Buscopan, immodium, Llibrax you name it I've tried it. But what's the actual problem? ANXIETY!
Sure you can get a tummy bug or food poisoning and get meds to treat that but your mind will decide its something else, then the anxiety will trigger more gas, pain, gurgling, diarrhoea and then here you go....caught in that loop of anxiety- ibs - anxiety.
I've had bouts that were triggered by food poisoning and 6 months later I'm still having the same symptoms. The doctor said, the bug has long gone, but my mind says it's HAS to be something else, so it continues. I eliminate one food after another until I'm living on rice and water the weight drops off me and I think oh no I'm losing weight and we know what that means....more anxiety, more symptoms.
Doctors will continue to send you for more tests because they don't know what else to do. And the more tests you have the more your brain works overtime and produces more anxiety and more symptoms.
What I'm really saying is take it from me and all my ibs unhappy experience, you've had your tests, nothing seriously wrong. It's got to be anxiety triggered.
Have you been prescribed any anti-anxiety meds?

[trappedwind]

Sadly, things have taken a turn for the worse.

After my Omeprazole ran out I asked for an appointment with my GP to get a repeat prescription. A day before the appointment I noticed some tiny black flecks in my stools. My GP prescribed another FIT test and some blood tests.

After a day he phoned back with the results of the stool test, FIT at 61 μg/g (300ng). I'm now in a state of shock.

He's now going to refer me asap, but because the flecks were black he thinks I should have a gastrogscopy. I asked him if it could be stomach cancer and he said "you're too young for stomach cancer". He still thinks it could be some sort of infection, though I think he's trying to soften the blow.

The funny thing is that apart from some bloating and a lot of belching, I don't feel that bad. I can still eat a large amount of food (like 2 helpings of Spaghetti in one sitting) - not that I'm eating it every day. I don't know what to think, but I guess I'll know soon enough.

Is there any other reason apart from cancer for such a large jump in a few months?