Worried about my bowel health

[m4yh4n]

I'm new to this forum so please forgive my post if you've seen lots like mine already! I've read through a lot of previous posts but no one matches my issues exactly.

I'm a 24 year old female, generally in good health, don't typically drink alcohol often or smoke, exercise regularly and I'm not terribly overweight/obese. I do however have a family history of Crohn's disease (my grandad, mum and cousin are all diagnosed) though I have had tests for this years ago and they said I didn't have Crohn's, just IBS apparently. (This was only a blood test and I wasn't offered any further investigation).

I've been experiencing loose (sometimes pretty much liquid) bowel movements for the past month; I can't relate it to anything in particular that I eat.

There have been days where I haven't had a bowel movement at all or on the occasion where my stool hasn't been loose, it has been the complete opposite and resemble rabbit droppings, hard to pass, mucus-y and also floating?

I often get upper left side abdominal pain, after eating and after bowel movements. Also, the last 3 times I've had loose stools I've noticed bloody mucus.

Lastly, my most recent period was one of the most painful ones I've ever experienced, to the point where my legs were shaking and my partner had to help me out of bed and to the bathroom.

A friend of mine was diagnosed with bowel cancer just last week and had similar symptoms and his tumor had latched itself onto his abdominal wall and kidney, he's also only in his early 30's so it's a big eye opener!

I should add that I am going to call my GP and arrange a telephone appointment (no face to face because of Covid).

[mondlee6248]

Mayb you can book for a colonoscopy, to had a better check

[Martinmartin]

Chances of having colon cancer in 24? Extremely rare. Ulcerative colitis? Much more common. IBS very common. Avoid straining by eating calorie rich food with high content of carbs, fat and salt. Pick high-fibre food - whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean meat. Get plenty of water, no other fluids and be sure to have good sleep and sunlight exposure for vitamin D. Exercise both muscles and cardio. This will allow for immunity boost that will make the bowl movement regular and effortless. If the symptoms still prevail, make sure to book appointment with gastroentrologist and demand calprotectin test for UC or/and colonoscopy. Cancer is highly unlikely due to your age (20ies and 30ies makes quite a difference), but you want to improve your quality of life as both IBS and UC can be truly annoying. Best course of action is improving your general health and proper diagnostics.

[VanessaGhigliotty]

M4yh4n,

Stools that have mucous are the absoute biggest signs of Crohns disease or Ulerative Colitis. To be honest unless you an adolescent, it is exceedingly difficult t get a clear diagnosis ofand IBD. They usually just say you have irritable bowels.

I would go see a gastroenenterologist as soon as possible if I were you and please d not let any doctors talk you out of what you are feeling. Best of luck and please let me know what happens.

[Worriednanxious in reply to VanessaGhigliotty]

That’s not true. People with IBS have mucus as well it’s not always a sign of IBD