Would you ask to be referred to gastro/get a second opinion?

[Dampsnow]

Hi all, I have been suffering for about 25 years (I am only 30) with bowel issues. I have been to GPs numerous times and I'm pretty much always fobbed off. Every day for most of my life I suffer with stomach pain/cramps, bloating, nausea/vomiting and acid reflux/heartburn. None of my symptoms are ever linked to a change in bowel habits nor are they relieved by going to the toilet, I do however pass a lot of mucus and can switch between D and C although I am mostly C. I have tried all of things recommended ie FODMAP, pro biotics, mindfulness etc. I have also had omeprazole, lansoprazole, ranitidine, buscopan, mint capsules etc. I don't drink, smoke or have dairy or caffeine. I am slim and exercise regularly. I also don't eat anything spicy, fatty or have too much fruit and sugar. I am not really stressed either (although this is now annoying me!)

I have had 2 blood tests both had above the high limit for inflammatory markers (CRP and platelets) I have had 4 fecal calprotectin tests of which 2 failed (around 160).

However i am still told it is just IBS and to just get on with things. The reason I was told this was because I had had it for so long and hadn't died yet! What?! So it can't be that serious.

My question is, would you with these symptoms and test results demand a referral to gastro or ask for a second opinion?

[Dampsnow]

I should add none of these treatments have worked, I still have these symptoms every day!

[Liz1234ty]

Hi dampsnow - given that my calprotectin test was about 15 and yours 160 YES i would defo suggest a referral to a gi consultant. Sorry cant provide a link but suggest a google search on these test results and any NICE guidance so that you can go armed to your gp - or perhaps a better gp - with what your results mean. The age when sypmtoms began suggest to me - no medical knowledge - a structural rather that functional issue and this should show up on a colonoscopy or virtual ct scan etc. Good luck! I am off to bed now that my tickly sore throat is finally settling!!!

[Dampsnow in reply to Liz1234ty]

Thank you, it does seem very strange to me. I was told that the results weren't high enough even though they were way above the limit and that they would need to be higher. Makes me wonder why they have the limits they set then? I think I am going to go back again.

[Dampsnow]

Anyone else with any advice?

[Lilagrace87]

I definitely would ask for a 2nd opinion as well, especially if your inflammation markers are up, despite doctors saying it’s still not high enough for them to do something, that result is still showing there is inflammation somewhere.

Doctors are infuriating!! I am so sick of being told it’s IBS and just expecting to get in with it, more help is needed with this to help people live normal lives that go through this daily, people don’t realise how much control it can hve over your life.

The nausea and vomiting could be down to being constipated all the time, try adding more fibre to your diet, research foods that can help, try sennacot as well to see if that can help keep your more regular in the meantime but definitely get that second opinion, maybe even a third after that!! Good luck

[Hidden]

I could have written your post when I was 30. And as I no longer suffer with any of that, I just wanted to pass this on.

This may sound strange, but you may have a lot of suppressed anger from your childhood that you need to release. If you can release the anger, you may find a considerable improvement in your symptoms.

Alison

[BabsyWabsy]

Yes, I would. Your raised calprotectin levels indicate some bowel inflammation and you also report mucous, another sign of inflammation. You could ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist for further investigation. Sometimes you need to stick up for yourself and be assertive. You could also try a different doctor in the practice. This happened to me. One GP totally dismissed my symptoms and spoke to me like I was a child. I later saw a different doctor who took me seriously, admitted he knew very little about gastro issues (imagine!!) and referred me to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed colitis. Clearly it wasn't all in my imagination. Sometimes you have to pull up your big brave pants and ask for what you want. Good luck and best wishes.

[Dampsnow]

Thank you all! Think I am going to go back now and push for a referral rather than go in circles again of having repeat tests, failing being told it's not bad enough, doing another test failing etc etc! Wish it could just all go away and be normal.

[Alfieroxy1]

You should have a breath test to check for Sibo small intestine bacterial overgrowth. I have just found out that is my problem and previously thought it was IBS

[LISaprag in reply to Alfieroxy1]

What was your symptoms

[Alfieroxy1]

Yes I definitely would. Or you can order a breath test to check for Sibo first as I did, then took it to my GP who has then referred me to a Gastro , my Gp was not interested before until I did this they just kept fobbing me off saying Ibs . Good luck.

[Alfieroxy1]

Sorry didn’t answer all of your question. I had excessive wind , constipation and pain