Unsure about what's going on...

[sb95-omo]

Hi there, I'm looking for a bit of help and to see if my signs/symptoms are similar to anyone else's really... Symptoms include; Bloating episodes, constipation, diarrhoea and normal stools on occasion, lots of mouth ulcers, flu like symptoms and frequent coughs and colds and raised Calprotectin levels, feeling like I've not emptied my bowls completely and pain in mainly my lower right side but on left occasionally. Also blood in toilet and in stool as well as lots of mucus. The doctor thinks I've either got IBS or sever constipation? I've got to have some tests in a couple of weeks (Colonoscopy, Proctogram and Colonic transit study). Any advice or info on these would also be helpful as well please!

[Marz]

Hopefully your tests will confirm what is going on.

Mouth ulcers - I would check your B12 levels - do not accept normal from your GP - that is an opinion and not a result. You need a level near the TOP of the range. Also Check VitD - also needs to be OPTIMAL - as low levels are implicated in many chronic conditions. VitD is a steroidal pre-hormone and is anti-inflammatory. Also needed in almost everyone of the trillion and trillions of cells in the body - including the gut.

These very basic aspects of medicine are neglected and are not routinely tested - you have to ask for them. Also have Folate checked along with Ferritin - all need to be at a good level for the body to work well.

Always obtain copies of all blood tests from your GP so you can monitor your progress and take control of your health. You are legally entitled to these.