Very concerned

[Irlworried]

Hi all, fantastic website and great support being offered, well done.

I'm a 40 year old male who has had abdominal discomfort since 2017 but am becoming increasingly concerned.

In 2016 I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder and a possible stomach ulcer. I was given meds for the suspected ulcer which I took and seemed to be effective. I have seen my GP regularly for other issues whose overarching diagnosis always falls back on stress/anxiety or me being overweight.

Since 2017, I have been complaining of intermittent RUQ discomfort, just under the ribcage but feeling like in the centre of my body. This has also been accompanied by various abdominal discomfort. Again, all down to stress according to my GP.

In late 2018 I had an ultrasound scan (due to the above complaints) which confirmed mild fatty liver (not alcohol related).

In 2018 I had a few incidents where I would become weak, lightheaded, heart rate would raise and I would begin to sweat. This was again put down to stress (ECG gave no issues).

In 2019 I had a number of the above incidents, again, put down to stress. I still had the abdominal discomfort with the addition of mild constipation and change in stools. I had a FIT test and more ultrasounds. FIT test was negative and ultrasounds were clear.

In 2020 I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and have numerous skin flare ups in 2021. I'm on medication since Aug 2020.

Over the last few weeks, I had a further number of the above incidents (weakness, lightheaded, elevated heart rate and blood pressure). This was followed by the abdominal discomfort. This in turn led to mild constipation and a more prominent RUQ pain has evolved. Saw my GP who again put it down to stress. Performed a physical abdominal exam and found nothing to be concerned about.

Last week I had a negative FIT test and another abdominal ultrasound, both negative. The abdominal discomfort has continued, it comes and goes but I am always concerned about it.

This past 2 weeks I have had mild constipation, meaning maybe going 24+ hrs without a bowel movement. When I do have one, they resemble pebbles or thin like a pencil. Otherwise a small lump or two. Never fully evacuating my bowel. My appetite has reduced over the last few weeks and I have dropped 8lbs in a month without trying. That could be my anxiety though. I have also noticed an increase of burping more than usual.

Yesterday and today seemed to be better, and I had maybe 2 bowel movements per day.

However tonight I had one and it was very very dark. I have a picture but am hesitant to post it. I'm obviously worried that the long term abdominal discomfort has been cancer all along, I'm freaking out.

I will monitor it over the next day or 2 and if it happens again, I will go see my GP again.

In the mean time, any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!!!