DIAGNOSIS

[Shanliss]

About 10 weeks ago I started to experience constipation with diarrahoea along with gas. However symptoms have not improved. My stools are mushy and large. I was told by GP that I was too old to be diagnosed with IBS at 48. Yet there is a family history. I had blood tests done for kidneys, Liver and Thyroid every thing fine. Laxatives have not worked. I am going to colonscopy on Wednesday worried this could be bowel cancer. I also have gallstones and took tablets for this and this has improved the constipation but has increased diarrhoea and stomach pain. My stomach pain gets bad when a bowel movement is near and eases of a bit after passing but some bowel movements are very very painful. Any similar experiences.

[Liz1234ty]

I was diagnosed with IBS at about 40 - had all the tests to rule out other known bowel conditions. I did have the occasional dodgy stomach/bowel episodes before then but nothing that lasted more than a few days every year until I got near daily symptoms aged about 40. I can understand your anxiety until a formal diagnosis of IBS is made (by exclusion of other known illnesses) but remember that bowel cancer is rare and IBS is really really common. I wish you luck with the various tests

[Shanliss in reply to Liz1234ty]

What symptoms do you have now.

[Liz1234ty in reply to Shanliss]

My symptoms have been pretty consistent over the past 5 years - mainly bloating (every day), excessive wind and internal gas, really noisy guts and horrible sensation that everything is really full and moving about in there. Tendency to IBS-D but bad episodes only a time or two each month so that does not really bother me too much.

[Luisa22]

I disagree that you are too old to develop IBS at 48.

I developed IBS in my late 60s. In my case it seems to be related to a strange kind of migraine which causes all sorts of other symptoms and though I had a couple of events of it when I was younger, it has only caused IBS in the past couple of years or so.

Did the doctor give you any stoool tests to check for hidden blood, inflammatory markers etc? Those things are usually red flags for anything else apart from IBS.

[Shanliss in reply to Luisa22]

The doctor did say there was some hidden blood but they did say try not to worry as this could be due to a number of reasons I had only finished period 3 days before and doctor said you need to wait 3 clear days also because I have heavy periods and going through the preiemenoapuse could also efffect. Also straining for get a poo out can cause blood as well. Also tumor markers done for CA 125, CA 19.9 and CA 125 all clear there,

I hope that in the event it is cancer than 10 weeks is not too late for a diagnos. Although another GP told me that owing to my age they usually say that if symptoms presistent for 6 weeks then contact the GP so on this basis it would probably be ok.

[Shanliss in reply to Luisa22]

Sorry forgot to say the only possible thing is that if it cancer treatments have advanced now.

[Luisa22]

Yes, those FIT tests are very sensitive. If you had only just finished your period that might have been the reason. Apparently, even a few specks of blood from brushing teeth too hard can cause a positive result! That's quite amazing. And definitely straining with a bm could cause it too.

If it was cancer it is possible I think that your other tests (blood tests) would have perhaps shown some marker? Plus it might raise calprotectin too?

Anyway better safe than sorry and I hope your colonoscopy goes well. At least that will be a strong and definite result.

[Shanliss]

Hopefully you are right.

[Dolly32]

It’s also really common for perimenopause/menopause to trigger IBS type symptoms so it may well be hormonal - are you taking any HRT (or birth control hormones) to help?

[Shanliss in reply to Dolly32]

No birth control pills possible an option. Will discuss with doctor. Thanks

[Angie11]

I was diagnosed with IBS at 55 , don’t understand how your dr thinks that. I was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist.

[Nerdlady in reply to Angie11]

I was at 54

[batterseagirl]

I was diagnosed with IBS in my 50s and have had many scopes including 2 cholonoscopies. Nobody said I was too old for IBS and I didn't have bowel cancer or coeliac disease. Please don't stress about bowel cancer too soon I wish you all the best. By the way, I still suffer with IBS but have learned to live with it helped by medications and incontinence pads. I don't like it but know of others who have had to have a stoma and that would definitely be worse for me.Good luck

[Shanliss in reply to batterseagirl]

Nothing found on colonscopy.

[Meleber in reply to Shanliss]

Hi, that is good news for you!

I was diagnosed with functional bowel problems (constipation and overflow diarrhea (slow transit?)) when I was 50. Had a colonoscopy twice since 2019 and also all the other examinations. They, the consultants, still don't have an idea what's causing my debilitating chronic bowel problems.

[Shanliss in reply to Meleber]

Did you have overflow diarrahoa every day. Do you take anything for it.

[Meleber in reply to Shanliss]

Hi, I need to take laxatives several times during the day. I think that I have partial constipation almost every day. It's located in my right lower abdomen and also feel it in my right lower back side. So yes, also the overflow diarrhea that comes with the constipation.

[Shanliss in reply to Meleber]

So you know what it is like. Horrible. Although they told me after the colonscopy I probably would not have constipation and or diarrhoea for a few days. It is heaven after so long to not have constipation. I do have some gas but I was told that would be normal. As I have always had so gas I can cope with this.

[Meleber in reply to Shanliss]

I remember that after the colonoscopy, since my bowel was clean/empty I slept well. Unfortunately this was only for one night and after I did start eating again the symptoms got worse. And yes, I also have (trapped) gas in my intestines as a result of the partial constipation I guess.

[Shanliss in reply to Meleber]

Sorry forgot to ask what tyes of laxatives do you take and do they work

[Meleber in reply to Shanliss]

I use bisacodyl and cascara sagrada. They work but can't prevent that I'm getting partial constipated day by day unfortunately.

[Shanliss in reply to Meleber]

Would you describe your stools as being large and mushy. I am going for CT scan tommorrow. I am dreading it an be told bad news but I need to no what is going on. I have had this for 3 months.

[Meleber in reply to Shanliss]

at the moment it's more like diarrhea. I have partial constipation, again 🙁 It's reoccurring every day.

[Shanliss in reply to Meleber]

So had colonscopy done and CT scan done of pelvis, tummy and chest nothing found. In a way it is good that there is nothing serious but frustrating that they do not know what is causing it.

[Meleber in reply to Shanliss]

It's good to know nothing serious, life threatening is going on. I'm in the same position as you, all examinations ordered by the gastroenterologist came out clear. It's frustrating that the physicians I've seen till so far can't figure out (yet) what's causing all the (bowel) symptoms. I keep on digging and hopefully will find the real cause. This would give me some peace of mind. I just would like to know, even if there's no cure (yet). I the meantime I did increase my dosage of bisacodyl. I now take 10mg (two tablets) several times a day and don't take Cascara sagrada anymore. In the past bisacodyl was to harsh for my intestines but since I did some fasting, made sure that my colon was somewhat cleaner, I can tolerate bisacodyl better, even in the higher dosage but it still can't prevent I get partial obstipated on a daily basis. In my situation it's the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and right lower back where it's going wrong, the ceacum and ascending colon.

[Rice333]

Hi I was diagnosed with ibs D when I was 62 ,I've had endoscopy, colonoscopy, blood tests ,MRI@ CT scans all clear .I get similar symptoms as you have ... so I wouldn't worry to much it just makes it worse .hope you get sorted ..don't stress, trust me that makes it worse to ..

Take care Andy R.

[Blue_81]

Sorry you are going through this.

[Pte82 in reply to Blue_81]

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[Shanliss in reply to Pte82]

Thanks.

[Pte82 in reply to Shanliss]

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[Blue_81 in reply to Pte82]

Thank you