I don’t feel like I’m being taken seriously

[Robmarriott]

I don’t mean just generally in life, but specifically with regards to my GP.

For a long time I’ve been suffering from some discomfort in my bowels, it’s basically constant. Not what I’d describe as pain, more like the feeling you get when you haven’t ‘been’ for a while. Along with that I’m windy with a capital W.

I’ve had several phone appointments and a physical check over with the GP plus blood tests which all came back clear.

I’ve tried eliminating the obvious things - bread, dairy, fizzy drinks, coffee. I already don’t drink alcohol or smoke. My diet isn’t perfect but I wouldn’t say I eat badly. Nothing has made an obvious difference. The only thing which works is not eating which I’m not sure is sustainable…

The problem is it’s not going away and I need to get to the bottom of it because it’s affecting me daily. I’m sat here now having just been to the toilet, feeling like I need to again and I know there’s nothing there.

So my question is, what next? How do I get to the bottom of this? (No pun intended)

[Robmarriott]

bigandclever said:

Get a second opinion.

Ok but how? Different GP?

[Robmarriott]

Hoofy said:

How are your stress and anxiety levels? Is work really bad at the moment? Is your wife doing your head in? Worried about an elderly parent? Car playing up all the time?

I’m probably the calmest I’ve ever been. I used to have horrendous anxiety and panic attacks but it never manifested itself this way. I don’t feel stressed, put it that way.

[Robmarriott]

sherman said:

Try some Sennakot. See if properly clearing yourself out helps allieviate the problems.
Do you need more fibre in your diet

I did think that but I’m reluctant to make myself st more!

I probably do need more fibre.

[Robmarriott]

SAS Tom said:

Ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist and see what they say. It can be hard to find the right person to speak to but a gastroenterologist should be able to help.

May be worth seeing a dietitian too. I took all the advice from GP’s etc regarding diet then when I went to see the dietitian they told me to do the complete opposite and that worked wonders for me.

The GP has said a GE appointment is an option but it looks like the earliest would be January! Dietician is a good shout, I need some help with that I think.

[Robmarriott]

Hoofy said:

Oh, that's good then. At least you'll know what it feels like and can compare it to back then. Always worthwhile ruling things out.

Have you increased your roughage/fibre recently? Personally, I find that I definitely 100% do not need to "increase my roughage"! It's one of the reasons I could never be vegan. Most (all?) plant protein sources are high in fibre.

Also, do you eat a lot of onions or similar? That can cause wind.

I'm not asking for exact feedback here but it's worthwhile having a look at your stool.
-is there blood in it?
-is it solid or is it really runny?

Honestly, if anything, I’ve reduced my fibre intake as a result of reducing my ‘everything’ intake to try to combat this.

Stool is bloodless and what I’d call normal, not hard, not soft or runny.

[Robmarriott]

oakdale said:

Are you drinking enough? You need to be well hydrated for your bowels to processs things properly.

That’s the one thing I’m confident I’m doing right.

[Robmarriott]

mcelliott said:

I had this a couple of years ago, stomach would make popping noises along with a dull ache, lasted about 7 weeks, did the usual google search which said it was ether stomach or bowel cancer! anyway turns out a wrongly prescribed course of antibiotics wrecked my gut health, 2 weeks of taking probiotics and a digestive enzyme and everything was back to normal.

Stressing out about it will only make it worse, easier said than done I know but the link between gut and brain is highly developed.

Edited by mcelliott on Tuesday 31st August 12:39

Edited by mcelliott on Tuesday 31st August 12:41

I’ve not had any prescription (or non prescription) drugs at any point remotely recently so that’s not it.

[Robmarriott]

ReverendCounter said:

I was just about to suggest that OP hammers a load of good bacteria down his gullet.

OP try getting things like these into your diet: kombucha, yakult type products, apple cider vinegar mixed with apple juice as a drink after food, and kefir (you could eat the grains as well as drink the by product - it seems the milk version has greater beneficial bacterias/yeasts).

You've probably looked up IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? If not it might answer a few questions.

Yeah I’ve checked IBS and followed the advice of cutting certain foods and food groups to find the trigger but to no avail.

[Robmarriott]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No virus or food poisoning (touch wood) for a few years.

I’ve been looking at trying a low FODMAP diet next.

Re everyone’s suggestion of Yakult/kefir etc, again, something I’d been considering trying so I’ll give that a go.

I’m also going to speak to the GP again and explain that things definitely haven’t improved and ask what the next move is.

[Robmarriott]

Biglips said:

Ask your GP for a faecal calprotectin test. This will show up any inflammation in the bowel. Probably ought to have a coeliac blood test too if not already done.

They’ve done a coeliac blood test - all clear
I’ll have to check but I’m pretty sure they did a faecal calprotectin test too. I had to give stool samples first, way before they did the blood tests. Again, all clear.

[Robmarriott]

Update (sort of). Had a telephone consultation with a gastroenterologist who suggested I get an X-ray the same day, so I did. Result came back later that evening and the only thing they could find is that apparently I was constipated and therefore needed a prescription of laxatives.

Took them for the period of time recommended and I felt exactly the same.

Had another appointment with the GP and they gave me something to relax the smooth muscles in my bowel. I’m currently taking them and feel…. Exactly the same.

I really want to get to the cause of this problem because I’m nervous that the longer it carries on, the higher the risk of not catching something major ‘early’ is.

What’s my next step?

[Robmarriott]

And yes, maybe I’m being paranoid but every single day of my life at the moment I’m in a constant state of discomfort and I’d just like to feel ok for once.

[Robmarriott]

Largechris said:

Rewinding to this point - did you try this? Inulin powder (doesn't taste of anything) or Psyllium husk for example?

You are NOT going to lose control of your bowels from having more fibre, that's not how it works.

I was prescribed Laxido, 3 times a day for a month. No change, still feel crap.

[Robmarriott]

I tried actimel or Yakult or one of those brands. The only thing it seemed to affect was my wallet, didn’t notice any change other than that.

Tried kombucha before and absolutely cannot stomach it. Pickled stuff I do like though but I’ve been avoiding, maybe I’ll try some of that again for some vinegary input.

[Robmarriott]

As I said, the doctor prescribed it to me as I appeared to be constipated from an x-ray. They suggested that as a way to try to fix it not fibre so I didn’t argue.

You’re right though, maybe I’m not helping myself. That’s why I’m here. I don’t know how to fix the issue and I’m asking for advice.

[Robmarriott]

It is indeed an anti-spasmodic, I’m 3.5 weeks in and have about another 2 weeks of tablets left so maybe something will change soon.

Wind/bloating is a massive issue for me too, regardless of what I eat.

Thanks everyone else for the suggestions. I’ll speak to the doctor again at the end of this course of medication. I’ve been reluctant to try anything which wasn’t recommended in case it exacerbated the issue so I’ll ask them about fibre (however that is administered) and push for some further inspection at the same time.

[Robmarriott]

It’s been a while so it’s update time, or more accurately… not.

Several more doctors phone calls and after what felt like far to much negotiation, one visit, several more stool samples and blood tests and every time, the response is the same. “Normal, no further action”. So as far as the GP is concerned, I’m fine.

Gastro follow up appointment was scheduled for April but was cancelled because the specialist was ill, which is fair enough, can’t be angry about that, but the rescheduled appointment isn’t until November and the symptoms are definitely not improving so I’m still a bit frustrated.

In the mean time I’m still avoiding exercise, running is impossible because I’m constantly uncomfortable and I’m very aware that not exercising means all the hard work I put in to weight loss and fitness the last couple of years is going out the window as time marches on.

[Robmarriott]

Oh I’m terrible for seeing the doctor, something has to have been bothering me for a long time for me to go but I don’t seem to be able to convey that to them well enough I don’t think.

I’m willing to try anything if it might help a bit, I’ll have a look at both of those suggestions, like you say, it has to be better than nothing.

[Robmarriott]

croyde said:

I feel the same OP.

Had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago which found a few polyps which were removed, still awaiting the biopsy, but still no reason for feeling bloated, constantly feeling I have to go, never feeling empty and terrible wind.

Like you, the best I feel is if I don't eat.

I've tried high fibre, low fibre, just soup as well as fek it loads of curry and other crap.

Doesn't seem to make any difference.

Ah this is good news. Well, not good news but you know what I mean, it’s good that I’m not alone.

How did you force the issue with the GP?

Edit- whenever I talk to them I feel like I’m not able to articulate the problem well enough for them to understand and they just think “this dude just needs a st”.

Edited by Robmarriott on Monday 6th June 09:40