Finally getting somewhere! (IBD)
For the past 6 years, I've been confident that I've been suffering from IBD flares. I would get quite severe flares with all of the symptoms you expect from IBD, as well as minor short lived flares and these would happen a few times a year. I had investigations done which showed inflammation in the bowel but doctors didn't diagnose me with anything because I didn't present like other IBD sufferers and a lot of my tests came back normal. I was told I'd have to wait until it got severe to get anywhere with a diagnosis, so I was left untreated for 6 years.
Recently I went into my longest and most severe flare up which has lasted about 3 weeks now. I've got a high pain threshold and the only time I've cried because of pain was when I dislocated my knee, but this pain led to me crying on the toilet multiple times and howling like I was in labour which ultimately led to a trip to A&E; the third time I've been sent to hospital for this.
As you can imagine, I'd been feeling so fed up with all of this and it was getting me down because I knew there was an issue and I knew what I was experiencing wasn't normal but no-one was taking it seriously and helping me. Work was also on my back being very unsympathetic, assuming I was off with IBS cramps! 😡
Well I very luckily came across a really kind and caring doctor who ran some tests and finally, it's got severe enough to show up on tests this time, except I'm now on the very far end of the inflammation scale and my doctor asked if I wanted to be admitted to hospital but I'm managing it enough at home thankfully. He also signed me off work for a while so I now can rest properly without having work on my back, whilst I wait for my (third or fourth) gastro referral to come through. Ironically, all this news came through the same day I left work early because I was still having symptoms. I expected the results to come back normal but thankfully they didn't and now hopefully the gastroenterologists will be able to diagnose me and I can start treatment.
@MythologicalMayhem
That's awesome! I'm glad you were able to find a doctor that was able to get you started on a path of management and normalcy. I come across the fair share of IBD patients in the hospital and it makes a world of difference to be with a good GI who's with you. The pain can be extremely debilitating at times especially since IBD affects so many other places of your body as well! Wishing for the best!
Thank-you @sunnyWriting4806
I hope this time around I will be able to be diagnosed! I think my GP has essentially diagnosed me due to the findings and the test results. I wonder if he'll ring me next week to check up on me again, that would be good. Just can't wait for answers and treatment!
