please please help

[mag4810]

I am a 21 year old female and I have been sick for a few weeks now.  It started out as a mild case of gastroenteritis (diarhhea and bad cramping in my general abdominal region and down my legs to my toes - similar to the feelings of menstrual cramps).  I wasn't getting better so my college health services nurse suggested a lot of stool samples to do tests.  C-Diff came back negative, as did many other things, but I am still sick.  About 5 days ago, I started passing only mucus during some of my bowel movements.  Other times, I would pass normal, soft stool.  yesterday is when I really got scared - It was primarily mucous as the BM and there were small flecks of bright blood in this mucous.  When I pass  normal stool, there is no blood with that.  Also, I seem to rotate between passing mucous, stool, and gas.  I frequently feel an incredible need to run to the bathroom which is very uncomfortable.  When I am actually going the bathroom, the cramping gets stronger.  The pains in my stomach have not really been in just one area, but rather spread throughout my whole abdominal region.

Any ideas?  Crohns, cancer, IBD, Ulcerative Colitis?  I'm very scared and I'm at college very far from home...please help!!

[mag4810]

thanks for your notes....my student health services nurse took blood today, did more stool samples, and did a rectal exam....I can't get into any gastroenteroliogists for a long time...they are all booked past thanksgiving....im having such a hard time thinking about anything other than "what the heck is wrong with me"  i'm so nervous...I'm very disapointed that it seems I'm going to have a disease that is going to be with me forever.  thanks for listening everyone

[vc7881]

I wouldn't jump the gun and immediately suspect IBD or cancer.  There are many things that can cause bleeding, "d" and cramping. Usually it's a process of illiminating things before you have a diagnosis.  You might have to go through many procedures and it will take time.  Hopefully, it will just be IBS.  I know it's uncomfortable and you are scared but it will be okay.  I was dx'd with Crohn's at the age of 46 but my daughter was dx'd with it at the age of 12.  She is now 26 and has 3 beautiful children, all healthy.

[lizziecee]

Hi mag -  ask if your doctor did a calprotectin stool assay test. This measures the amount of calprotectin in your stool. The norm is 20.  If higher, this can indicate inflammation in your intestines, but not specifically where i.e. small or large bowel. This then gives the doctor the green nlight to do more invasive testing such upper endoscopy of the small bowel and colonoscopy of the large bowel. It could be Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, but blood in the stool always needs investigation. It could be a simple haemorrhoid, but this would not usually present with cramps and abdoninal pain.
Unfortunately, you are in the right age group for IBD - I was 24 yrs when diagnosed with Crohn's. Coeliac disease also needs ruling out. I think you are maybe far too young to have cancer of the colon, but again, a colonoscopy would identify it if this were the case.

There again, it may be a menstrual problem, but whatever it is, needs proper diagnosis.

Try not to be scared, I too was a long way home when diagnosed, but somehow you find the inner strength to deal with the problem, as you will!  Please try and see a gastroenterologist, who can do appropriate testing and give you a proper diagnosis.

Take care,
Liz.