I have not posted on ibs forum first time just feel I need to talk to someone as I cannot worry my family I been suffering from bloating and and pain after eating and constipation since just before Christmas
Seen my GP yesterday wasn't very nice doctor said I'm sending you for blood test I said what for she said cancer I have suffered from ibs but not for few years although a man my anxiety is very bad tonight but trying not show it just had to tell someone thank you
It doesn't sound as if your GP was very understanding especially as stomach related issues are quite often affected by worry and stress. I had an episode 2 years ago where I couldn't pass anything for 3 weeks and was in agony. I tried everything from prunes to prescribed laxatives. I was beyond worry but my doctor took bloods,a stool sample and felt my stomach and asked questions about my general health like any unexplained sudden weight loss or passing blood. I had not experienced anything untoward other than going through an extremely stressful situation at that time. My blood tests and poo test were normal and she then sent me for a scan which was also normal. I eventually managed to "go" and she put it down to IBS c. Since then I have tried numerous things to help me get regular with various degrees of success but although a laxative clears me out it gives me horrendous stomach cramps and leaves me feeling quite ill. Miraculously I have discovered Fybo Calm for constipation and for nearly 3 months have felt so much better and can eat virtually normally again. It is really trial and error but I hope this reassures you a bit. In the short term try the above mentioned tablets,drink lots of water,try and walk briskly for about 30 mins a day and maybe try meditation as a means of relaxing the body. I wish you well - hang in there 🙏
I feel for you,I have had ibs for 20 years,and usually have it under control, but I am on workcover for discrimination and bullying so my stress levels are through the roof,if you are feeling stressed it will make everything 10 times worse,please don't worry,it will get better,take it easy
Sorry to hear this, has there been dietary changes before this IBS? As for you all I suggest everyone to remain calm, eat more vegetables before meals and also try intermittent fasting especially if you’re passing stools a lot. Sometimes healing is not always equal to happiness; just have a mindset that things will be well eventually.
No there there as not been any change in diet thank you for replying
I suggest you start eating FODMAP friendly diets for breakfast and lunch, then eat foods that have fiber which your body can tolerate as dinner for one or two months. Since you’re complaining about constipation don’t do too much fiber, just go midway.
I have not been eating like I was when I do it's things like yogurt potatoes fish things like that still the same tho as for constipation I've been given sena tablets took 2 yesterday not been yet tho just feel little bloated this morning
Hi Brad,
Sounds like your Dr was unpleasant so avoid her if possible next time.. Maybe a bit over the top saying she was testing for cancer but at least you will have peace of mind. I think that you have just aggravated your tummy at Christmas with all the rich food and stress associated.
Do an elimination diary. It has taken me ages but now I know red wine, red meat, bread and chilli are the foods that upset me. Red meat takes ages to digest and it bloats etc.. Just thinking at Christmas you possibly had too much of something that aggravates you and has triggered IBS.
Please don’t worry. You don’t seem to have any red flag symptoms for cancer. Bloating is very common for lots of other reasons.
Thank you for replying very grateful I always suffered from anxiety many years its just the bloating and pain make me stressed I only wish hurry up and go thank you for taking the time to reply
Just wondering if you could ask to see a different GP next time?
In the UK there is a set protocol for diagnosing IBS which is by eliminating other things. This is through both blood and stool sample tests. They should be running a stool sample test too. The protocol is in the below link:
nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...
To put your mind at rest, statistically you are far more likely to be diagnosed with IBS than anything else. Best to try to distract yourself and try not to think ahead, just concentrate on day to day things whilst you wait for the results.
If you are diagnosed with IBS you can check back to this forum since there is much that can be done to help. Good luck.
Thank you very much taking the time to reply and your advice very grateful I forgot to to say in my post I've done stool sample that you receive in the post doctor had results of that and said it was ok
Hi Brad, sorry your GP was not very sympathetic as others have said try another if you can next time .I noticed you said you have not spoken to your family, try to talk to them, you may be surprised that they may be worrying too.
I have had IBS for 21yrs now and my family are my rock, I wouldn't get by without my understanding husband, it must drive him mad.
I know I am lucky, but a problem shared is a problem halved, so they say.
Try to get some support if you can.
We are all a good bunch of people on here and all understand where you are coming from.
Take care
Pollyboo
Hi, I am truly sorry you are going through this . The doctor sounds awful and not at all helpful . There are different preparations you can try for constipation. I use either milk of magnesia or Fybogel with mebeverine it seems to help as I have IBS ( mixed) predominantly D
I understand not telling your family as they will worry , but I've found telling my family and talking about it they are very understanding and sympathetic.
I hope your tests come back negative and the doctors give you the help you deserve and need
Wishing you good health x
Thank you for your kind words much appreciated I will try what you suggested hope you keep well thank you
like you I saw a doctor who didn’t listen to me. I had no bowel cancer symptoms but because my dad died of bowel cancer she immediately fast tracked me for a colonoscopy, which I refused. That was six years ago and I am still here (obviously!) please talk to your family. My daughter also has IBSc, I have mixed and for both of us it is stressed related. I have gained a lot of reassurance from this site - talking to a stranger is a lot easier than to your family, but many heads are better than one, especially if they are familiar heads!
Can I ask how do you cope with the stress
To be honest, Brad, I don’t cope with the stress. Outwardly,I look confident and with it but I am not. That is why I joined this support group for advice and because of that I have looked at calming apps and counselling. I have a telephone appointment with NHS in a few days time for counselling assessment. I am usually the listener, the person people go to for help. It’s been like that since I was very young, but we all need to be listened to as well. We can’t bottle things up for years and expect to get away with it. One of the people who advised me to try counselling is herself a councellor and has counselling herself. The NHS is free if you want to try it. Just Google counselling and check it out to see if it can help you. I got an appointment really quickly. Coping with stress and anxiety is always difficult.
Thank you very much giving me the information take care and I wish you well best of health
Thank you for taking the time to reply much appreciated
I have had every bowel cancer red flag symptom for nearly 5 Years including Iron deficiency but no bowel cancer detected. No dr has mentioned cancer to me but obviously they must have considered it, most certainly I did. NHS didnt do a colonoscopy but I had a CT scan so I paid privately for endoscopy from stomach to bowel. Just as well because the gastroenterologist found several other diseases and Im now on treatment. You be your own advocate here if you feel something wrong, because drs have a duty of care and its your health in question. My stress level was high and its difficult.
Thank Tony for your input much appreciatedMy stress levels very high at the moment I wish you the best with your health
Hi Brad so sad the your GP was so awful. Like yourself I had a spell where I didn’t poo for nearly four weeks I had changed my diet I lost weight but my tummy was so bloated that I looked 6 months pregnant. I was asked by GP to put stool sample in and got full blood check done and all is well but the stress is absolutely horrendous. My GP gave me Cosmicol and 2sachets a day for 3 days I managed to go. I then looked at my diet and tried Aloe Vera juice but it didn’t agree with me. I eat 2 kiwis a day and have natural yoghurt and Kefir with them and for me it works well. This is a great forum and reading about others going through the same as me has helped tremendously also the advice and support that members give is invaluable but please try to talk to a family member or even a good friend. I wish you well. Take care
Thank you so for your message they way I feel last few days it means a lot to hear from others I have started to eat yoghurt and kefir and also keeping eye what I'm eating so there is hope but getting little depression as well can't wait get bloods test over once again thank you
Dear Brad...feel very sad u are feeling so isolated and worried normally apart from bloods they ask you to do a fit test ..stool test which will show if there is something in your faeces that indicates ...I had the same few years bk had fit test bloods came bk positive I was panicking crying as I'm so healthy I'm a young 64 female ..but u think the worse as I too have health anxiety ..anyway was referred for a coloniscopy camera up your bottom not very pleasant but it found nothing at all wrong with my colon..maybe ibs..which I do have now n then...so if u can afford it ho private get a private consultation and see where it goes if anywhere..hope my story helps a little....jeanette x
There's a test in the US called ColoGuard. They send you a box with a kit to collect a stool sample then send it back. I've done that my past 3 times instead of a colonoscopy. Always negative.
Hi molly thank you for replying I forgot to say that I fit test some weeks back didn't find anything no blood but been told don't depend on that thank you for message very much appreciated
So sorry that your GP was so heartless - I think they are all under a lot of stress too... I had to wait over 6 months for a referral to mental health services, but have just started with a lovely counsellor for CBT - she has explained really well how this whole stress thing can create a vicious circle, as your body is constantly in flight or fight mode and that affects your digestion, as resources are targeted elsewhere to either get ready to fight or run...
I think digestive disorders are the pits, because it so affects every aspect of life. Everyone finds a way to best manage their own gut. One thing which seems to help is to keep the traffic on the highway moving (if you get what I mean) so things you can do to help include magnesium tablets, 2 x kiwi per day, and increase the fibre in your diet with loads of extra water. #
Ref what Dr heartless said about cancer - I think it is a big fear for all of us - but the most common way to detect a problem is with the FIT test, and if yours is all clear then at least that's a very positive sign. A blood test will check for all sorts of other things, like liver and kidney function and signs of inflammation. I hope this helps, along with the other comments, to make you feel a bit better. Be kind to yourself, as waiting for results is nail biting, but a 'normal' result can be very reassuring.
I think part of the "over the top" testing is to CYA by the doctors. If they miss something then it can come back on them. Being in the US, I don't know if doctors that work under the NHS are protected from lawsuits. Doctors in the US have to carry mega insurance for such instances. Hopefully, you're going to be okay straight away. Find a different doctor if you can. Having a bad doctor is no fun. I've had several and given the chance, I would turn them down if they were assigned to me in any way.
so sorry to hear about your ordeal. I have IBS and like the others I went thru a lot, but it is now under control. I hope you can find a Primary care Dr. who is more caring. I cannot believe that she just threw the “C” word out to you like that.
Good luck to you.
Shaughnna
Yes just come out the c word no compassion what so ever I hope not to see her again
Thank you very much for replying Thank you
You've had lots of logical reasons why you need not worry on other posts above. I just want to say that it is common for GP's to do a stool FIT test as that does show if there are traces of blood which in your case there is not! So, be rest assured you are not going down the cancer route...IBS diagnoses is always based on elimination. If you are not happy with what the GP says ultimately, and can pay to see a gastroenterologist in the first instance then do. I had to in 2021 and through a colonoscopy (back on NHS) was told I also have patchy pancolitis (which I am on meds for). The main thing is that you must not get anxious if possible as that will make your gut issues worse! I know.... easier said than done!
Thank you for taking the time to reply I am trying g to be less anxious and do understand and appreciate all the kind posts I received and top of going waiting for blood results I've never suffered with so much pain and bloating and constipation
Only time it's not to bad it when in bed at night
Once again I appreciate your message thank you
Some GP’s are better than others when it comes to how to speak to patients.
Some can advise without scaring the crap out of you, I’ve definitely been on the end of that side of it.
Thank for replying u going try my best not to see her again
Bloods test back normal feeling much better in myself
Blood test come back yesterday was told all OK
Then had phone call asking can I make appointment to see my gp really worried my wife is gone into overdrive with worry tonight can't see doctor until Monday scared trying not to show it to my wife
Blood test clear but stool sample mild inflammation? 
Please insist on bloods tests and even a CT
blood test showed high ALT levels 
Blood Pressure Medication
Blood in stools. Feeling low. 
