Suspected ulcerative colitis and nausea

[Sooty712]

Hi all hope all is wellI have been suffering with suspected ulcerative colitis for a while now and have lately started to feel nauseous and not wanting to eat much especially in the morning. I go dizzy alot too and have daily urgency to pass BM every morning most times quite soft with blood. I eat only oats,fish,rice,pasta and gluten free crackers and bread and dairy free almond milk and dairy free cheese. Despite this my calprotectin remains at level 1800. I get no stomach pains just lots of wind if I was to eat something that is not on the list then I get lots of noises in my stomach and much more blood upon BM. This has been going on for a long time. Had CT scan showed nothing and have been long awaiting to see gastro last appointment was cancelled and rescheduled to next month. Just wondering if anyone else feels nauseous and has lack of appetite and very low energy with alot of joint pains ? I'm going to ask for a sigmoidoscopy to hope that they can find what it is without having to have a full colonoscopy as I'm far too worried about it. I know stress plays no part for me as I am under alot of emotional stress but food is my enemy as soon as I consume anything that I shouldn't my symptoms get extremely worse. Strangely my daughter has the same symptoms but calprotectin is normal and she has more constipation with blood on BM rather than loose BM. She also can't eat gluten or dairy and has joint pain. Is strange how we both began these symptoms within a space of a few months apart. My daughter is 17 and I'm 38 so weather it is affecting me worse as I'm older I really don't know.

Just very weird to have woken up one day and lost ability to eat the way we had always ate.

We did begin a diet and exercise routine just before this all came about and was eating lots of salads,fresh fruit and gut friendly yogurts so not sure if this created any changes. Also we had relocated to the countryside too a few months before too.

[bantam12]

Im afraid you need a colonoscopy as a sigmoidoscopy won’t go all the way round so risks missing something.

I personally don’t feel nauseous when I’m in a flare but symptoms are an individual thing.

Are you sure the oats aren’t causing an issue ? they would definitely cause me major problems !

[Raerae2781]

I too was worried about the colonoscopy. The worst part was the prep. The procedure itself was fine. A little uncomfortable but done in about 20 minutes. Small price to pay for a diagnosis and a proper treatment plan.

[Sooty712 in reply to Raerae2781]

I am going to try to see if they can diagnose first with just the sigmoidoscopy as this is still very much causing me so much anxiety. I have read alot of mixed stories with having a colonoscopy and I never been sedated either so both things really scare me so much. I just know that I mentally I can't process having to have a full colonoscopy. If it is ulcerative colitis or some type of infection I'm hoping it can be found with a sigmoidoscopy and then hopefully get to start some treatment. I feel absolutely drained and find the whole of this just so overwhelming. Was ever so upset when gastro appointment was cancelled as now got to wait again till next month which adds to the anxiety yet again. Am on constant edge with my stomach and what to eat. Also ever so nervous about what maybe found. Equally want it treated though just wish there was other ways to diagnose things like this but had a CT scan and that showed nothing at all which I thought was really strange and so did the guy who did the scan as he said he checked everywhere and couldn't see any signs of where this high calprotectin inflammation could be. Personally I feel it is colitis of some type as it responds well when I follow the bland basic diet which is very hard and boring, I really miss normal food and also given the fact that my daughter has similar symptoms I feel this must have came about from some type of infection but because of the length of time I have had it I'm not sure if the infection would be found still or if it has just lead to ulcerative colitis. I pray to find out soon and with as much ease as possible.

[Shoeysmum in reply to Sooty712]

Please don't worry about a colonoscopy! It really isn't what you think it might be and the sedation isn't like having an anaesthetic but more like being a little bit out of it and so fully aware and not too bothered about anything.

As others have said, a sigmoidoscopy will only examine the lower end of your colon and that could well be absolutely fine. In this case you will need further investigation, i.e. a colonoscopy.

Please trust me although you don't know me and so have no reason whatsoever to trust me. However, the worst thing really is the prep.

So, take a deep breath; put your big girl's knickers on and go for it.

Good luck xx

[Cb1963]

It's a horrible condition to suffer with, you have my deepest sympathy, I used to suffer with this condition myself in my younger days, the first time I started I had BM and puss but no pain, but a few years later the condition returned and the pains were truly awful, it came on in waves and a gnawing sensation, I was put on steroids and eventually it settled down, however on a long term basis I suggest it's worth keeping an eye out for B12 deficiency problems, people who have had stomach issues are more likely to have these problems, I hope everything goes OK for your medical procedures, best of luck ❤️

[Malachy12]

Don’t know if you are in the UK but my experience was a sigmoidoscopy 30 years ago to be told nothing wrong, it’s just IBS and at aged 60 a colonoscopy to to told colitis and I have probably had it all my life! Like others have mentioned, colonoscopy is the only way to get a proper thorough diagnosis and is not as bad as you imagine. The prep is pretty grim but I had sedation and all it did was make it a calm, pain free experience. I too had never been sedated and imagined being confused and out of control but I was perfectly lucid and watched the screen and asked questions etc. I hope you get an solution to end your suffering soon.