New here.. High faecal Calprotectin?

[Tiff35]

Hi all

I hope you don’t mind me joining I’m a 36 year old mum of 4 who has always had “bad bowels” since a child. I have chronic constipation (always using laxatives) and IBS due to cramps.

The past year things have changed with blood and mucus in stools and intermittent episodes of diarrhoea pain and bloatedness. The last was in January when everything I ate came out for two weeks and the GP sent me to A&E who sent me home with a referral to be seen urgently.

The hospital lost my referral. I finally saw the consultant yesterday to be told my last faecal Calprotectin test done in the hospital 2 months ago was 1150 and very high so she is sending me for an urgent colonoscopy.

I have been so anxious ever since. Is it likely I have IBD? There is both colitis and crohns in my family. I have read about colon cancer too and that’s just made me even more petrified. Could this be a possibility?

I think I’m going to be a nervous wreck before the procedure. She told me it will be done in the next two weeks.

Any advice or reassurance would be greatly received!

Thank you

[FRreedman]

With a calprotectin level that high, Ibd is more than likely. Neither of the two main Ibds are killers, they are inconvenient and, at times, painful. I know it's easy to say, but don't worry, as this only aggravates the Ibd.

[Valbaty54]

It does sound very likely that you have IBD, especially as it's in the family. Once you've had your colonoscopy and got a definite diagnosis, treatment will follow and help you manage symptoms. Don't worry too much about the procedure - you can have sedation and it's actually quite interesting to see your insides on the screen! Hope all goes well and that they find some meds to help you.

[Tiff35]

Thanks for both of your responses, it has put me at ease! It’s not going to be the end of the world I guess and at least I am now going to get to the bottom of it! Literally!!