Hi Molly33. Welcome to the forum.

Before I start, please understand that we aren't doctors here, and only the nurses have any medical qualifications. And even if we were qualified, we don't have access to your notes and medical history, so we would still be severly limited in what we could say.

Nevertheless, I think we can still make some useful comments and maybe make some suggestions, always provided you remember that we're not qualified.

Reading your comprehensive post, one thing that strikes me is that you've had more than enough tests to rule out bowel cancer (beyond reasonable doubt), and you've had a positive diagnosis of IBS - but there's no indication of what treatment, if any, you've receivied for IBS.  

Please could you share with us what treatments you've tried for IBS.

Thanks

Hi do you take any laxative meds. My wife used to be on them for years then doc said she had stumack problems and gave her stumack tables told her to stay off laxative (she was regular with lax) now she goes any time. When she goes she can sit for 11/2 hours or 6 or more times a day her stools look OK like you it can be very orquard. Enough of my problems get your self checked out properly, good luck.

Billy 

Hi Molly33.

I'm not a doctor, but I would bet that your problems are all being caused by uncontrolled and untreated IBS. Diarrhea and/or constipation are not always present with IBS; I've had IBS for over 40 years and for most of that time I've had neither of them.  

Passing blood is always something that needs to be checked, but after a couple of clear colonoscopies, the chance of cancer is very low indeed. More likely it's some form of tear or trauma in your gut. This isn't something that should worry you too much. I doubt the sigmoidoscopy will find anything significant, but that should be reassuring. 

What concerns me most is that you've had a clear diagnosis of IBS, and yet no one has offered you any treatment for it.  This is shocking.  I think your GP is under the misapprehension that IBS always causes constipation and/or diarrhea, and if so he/she doesn't understand the condition.  I think that maybe it's time to find a GP with a better understanding of bowel conditions.  If you're part of a large practice, it might to pay to ask the practice receptionist whether any GPs there have an interest in bowel conditions and could you see him or her.  

There are effective treatments for IBS, but they won't help you if no one actually prescribes them for you. I tried anti-spasmodics and bulking agents for many years. They helped somewhat but weren't particularly effective. I finally found relief a couple of years ago when I was put on the FODMAP protocol. It was hard work, but eventually found that two foods that I loved and was eating frequently were my main triggers.  After elimination those foods, my bowel is very much improved.  (I still miss mushrooms, though).

Hi Molly,

Do you by any chance have any joint hypermobility?

Hi Billy,

I am not on any laxatives & havn’t been given any meds. I cant go to work or even leave the house now as my bowel is so upredictable.

Thanks

Molly

Hi Telemando,

My doctors are crap! I spoke to one on the phone just after passing blood which was mixed into my stools. He told me “the thing is how far should we investigate this”.The only reason I am having a flexible sigmoidoscopy is because I already had an appt booked with the consultant, due to having constant acid reflex & told him about my bowel issues.

I am unable to change my practice as despite there being 2 others in the area. One will only take on new patients if they are not already registered with a practice in the area. The other, the  larger practice, wont accept me as all new patients have to now be within a certain radius & I am just outside that! 

I will read up on the FODMAP.

thanks

Molly

Hi Taff,

No, I don’t have joint hypermobilty.

thanks

Molly

It's a pain (literally) when you have no confidence in your own GP.  Maybe there's a better GP at your own practice?  

Once you're read up on FODMAP, if you're interested I suggest you don't go it alone. It would be very difficult to do it without medical backup. Maybe your GP can refer you to a dietician who can guide you through the process?  Be aware that it's not easy - but when you're desperate you'll do anything! 

Hi Telemando,

I am really interested in trying the FOBMAP & shall ring my dr & ask if I may have advice from a dietician.

Sadly, the good dr’s at the practice have long since retired. Their replacements are useless & have such an attitude. No manners whatsoever!

Thanks

 Molly