ongoing bowel issues please help

[Southward82]

Hi,I have had bowel issues now since 2021 and i'm starting to feel incredibly anxious that thee is something more serious going on. I have a GP appointment booked in, but its not for another 3 weeks, so thought i would ask to see if anyone has/is experiencing similar:Since June 2021 i have had a change in bowel movements, sometimes i can go 7 times a day sometimes just 1. The poos vary from really loose to, slightly constipated to fluffy/raggy edge, sometimes the poos appear a little flatter. I have lower right abdominal pain that is really crampy and is on and off throughout the day. I have also experienced lower back pain and bloating on/off fairly regularly over this time. I often get a feeling of pressure in my bum too and a feeling of rawness just inside anus and up to rectum.Fast forward to now and for the last 2 weeks i have had a 'flare' of these symptoms, the raw feeling inside anus/rectum is back, i constantly have a nervous/spasmy type feeling in my bum and coccyx and this can sometimes be felt in the vagina. Almost like a tennis ball type sensation. I almost always feel like i need a poo and actually go when i have this feeling, i am going around 7 days per day currently. This is a mixture of solid poos and hummus type poos. There appears to be little mucous sometimes. The right side cramps are back, the back pain is constant as is the coccyx pain when sitting. When i am pooing it gets to a certain point when its coming out and it feels really painful and raw.I have been back and forward to the GP and have had a coloscopy in 2021 which showed left and right side diverticular disease and i had a FIT stool test in November 2022 which was normal. I do have an inflammatory bladder condition which i have had since May 2012, i am also being investigated for an inflammatory eye issues and have an enlarged heart which is being investigated.I'm super anxious about all this and was wondering if anyone had experienced the same/similar and knew what could be causing this.Thanks

[Viklou]

It actually sounds like your constipated but I'm sure the GP will help when you see them

[trace55]

hello, I have had the same symptoms for 10 years i take meberine for ibs and stool softener to help me go to the toilet easier had piles which were operated on and was ok the soreness i found was constipation its a struggle to keep ok and not uncomfortable if i eat chocolate it gets worse or white bread.

[Southward82 in reply to trace55]

hi, thanks fir the reply. Do you get the feeling that you have a spasms/nervous bum and that the inside of the rectum feels full or swollen almost like you need a poo? It’s so irritating. It seems to flare up every couple/few months x

[Catsandsunsets in reply to Southward82]

I've felt that too. Like the anus tightens and sometimes like spasms or twitches inside. I've felt it also when I jump, jumping jacks like working out. I've felt like it moves my anus or like poop is going to come out.

Has anything helped you?

[Catsandsunsets in reply to Southward82]

Perhaps a suggestion is to look into levator Ani. Maybe a pelvic floor therapist would be able to help you

[Chloeblue]

I think the clue and a big part of the problem is what you say, you’re super anxious. When you calm down you may find your symptoms improve. The colonoscopy was clear, take it you’re not losing weight or passing blood? Your symptoms sound very much like ibs. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that your brain has a huge influence on your gut and we obsess on our problems which do make them 10 times worse. I know I’ve been there. I call it health anxiety. You don’t say how old you are but diverticula are extremely common as we age and usually don’t cause any problems. Take care and do discuss your anxiety with your gp

[Southward82 in reply to Chloeblue]

hi, thanks for the reply. I’m 40. Yes the brain causes all sorts of problems for me haha I have really bad health anxiety, to the point it takes over my life at times. It all started after I got a huge ovarian cyst removed 16 years ago. Think it left me with a bit of trauma. I hate abdo/bum problems it’s just so uncomfortable. Do you get bad back ache/tailbone pain? X

[Chloeblue in reply to Southward82]

hi yes I do get that. I’ve had every symptom and test going, always put down to ibs. I’m convinced that it’s inflammation even though bloods always come back ok. I have a weird back ache with ibs but then I suffer with disc problems also. Hope you get some answers x

[Catsandsunsets in reply to Southward82]

Hi Southward82 hope you are doing well. Have you found any relief? I have similar symptoms and would appreciate your advice