Trying to get diagnosed
I first started getting symptoms 3 years ago, where I have frequent, urgent loose stools which don’t seem to follow a pattern. I have tried eliminating foods from my diet which hasn’t helped. I have a consistent pain just to the left of my belly button. It’s often a dull ache but I am in agony during a flare up.
It has significantly impacted my life and I have been fobbed off several times, being told it’s IBS. I used to be very fit and active, but now I can’t even go for a short run without being in agony and needing to go to the toilet.
Tests were not showing anything until recently, after the worst flare up I’ve ever had, they found high calprotection and referred me for an urgent colonoscopy. Initial findings from the colonoscopy are clear but I am still awaiting biopsy results. I have been referred to the IBS team. I am really worried that if my biopsy results don’t show anything, it’ll just be fobbed off as IBS again and I’ll continue to be in constant pain.
Also, since the procedure, I’ve had a lot more pain in my stomach again and severe pain which mimicked appendicitis (this has been ruled out now).
I am looking for advice on what to do next and was wondering if others have experienced something similar.
Hi
. Your frustration is certainly understandable. I want to share with you this article from our editorial team on the diagnostic process: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnosis. One thing you will notice mentioned is endoscopic procedures. This can look for inflammation in areas that the colonoscopy alone. There is also the pill cam (a type of endoscopy) and Holland wrote about its diagnostic utility here: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/pill-cam-endoscopy. Hope this information is helpful. Your concerns deserve to be heard and, if not, don't hesitate to seek another opinion. Also hoping the biopsy will provide some answers. Please feel free to keep us posted on how things are going and to ask additional questions. Best, Richard (Team Member)
