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So, 7 years ago my gut issues started, urgency, constipation, a little blood etc. I went to doc and he just said possibly IBS and gave me some medication to slow down my gut - Worked and on I went. For 7 years I have had periods where I have been fine and then periods when I have had symptoms - I just told myself it was IBS.
I visited doctors when things were bad but never followed up and because things always improved and returned to normal I always said to myself - Must be IBS.

My sister was diagnosed with UC 4 years ago, she had terrible dhiarrea and lost a lot of weight, this has never happened to me so I, again thought must be IBS.

Now I was in a good period but In December I started having urgency again and then my symptoms appeared again and have been with me for 8 months.
Urgency to go, then all that comes out is gas, mucus and finally a stool - sometimes smallish other times bigger, most of the time with a little blood on it.
When I wipe it's always very wet, think it mucus.

So I am finally going to go to the doctor and get a colonoscopy, I have anxiety over it - I have always had anxiety but with doctors and medicines etc I have loads of anxiety.

Any tips or adivce? Is it usually an outpatient procedure? Can you go home same day? What about sedation, do they put you fully to sleep? This worries me as my axiety makes me think I wont wake up etc?

Finally, how can one tell the difference between IBS and IBD? I usually go around 3 times a day, always with some gas, lots of mucus and formed stool or small balls - Can you have UC and still have formed stool?

Any tips or advice appreciated, be kind - Im struggling...not only with the thought of the colonoscopy but also with the thought of having to accept I might have this embarassing disease. And how it will affect me and my family, and small child.

Thanks.

Reply posted for AdventuringAmy.

Another thing that stresses me out is that there is no way of telling the difference between IBS and IBD - I try to convince myself it's IBS because Ive had it so long and have never lost weight or had bloody diarreah but I know that there is no way of knowing unless you have a colonoscopy.

My appointment isn't until the 5th of September, I have to wait as the specialist im going to is not available until then.

I have decided to not look up things in the internet as it just makes everything worse! I have a funny feeling in my mouth and of course I look it up and it could be because of IBD......makes me worry more!

I really hope I dont have IBD.......I am so scared but I think I have to face it and finally need some answers! If it's IBS I need treatment and if it's IBD I want to find out and get treatment.

Anyone who has IBD - Do the meds help to get rid of the symptoms? Can you lead a normal life? I have a 1 year old baby and I don't want to ruin his life and my wifes life....

Thank you.

Reply posted for Worriedhorse.

Hi there,

First of all, I'm sorry that you're going through this. Firsthand I can say none of what you're going through is easy. In 2017, I had my first colonoscopy after experiencing a lot of the symptoms you advise of above: bloating, pressure, blood in stool, mucus, and painful BM's. At the time, I was in my late 20's and NO ONE my age (that I knew of) had been through a colonoscopy, so I had severe anxiety over not only my symptoms but the procedure itself. There's no way around it, it's going to suck. Period. BUT! You're strong and I can assure you that having answers and getting a diagnosis will be very worth it.

For the colonoscopy, you will be given laxatives and unable to eat any solid foods prior to the procedure, which is pretty tough on someone that already suffers from diarrhea. Follow the instructions they give you. I watched someone in the waiting room at my doctor get sent home prior to their procedure because they had applesauce and wouldn't yield a "clean" analysis.They were lucky enough to have to go through it all over again. Yikes! My suggestion is have a lot of fluids (switching between savory clear broth and apple juice was a lifesaver to help with "cravings"). I do highly recommend chilling the laxative fluids you will need to drink for prep, adding crystal light lemonade to the mix, and drinking it as quickly as you can from a straw. The procedure itself was very quick, they gave me (I believe) fentanyl to put me under during the procedure. I came out with my pants on backward and was very happy to see my sister there to take me home (or so I was told)! I also suggest that if you get nauseous/nervous, let your doctor/prep nurse know. They can give you something for that. I came home the same day (pretty quickly after the procedure) and had prepped my house by buying all of my favorite snacks to eat when I could finally eat again. They will taste extra good!! 

I completely understand how overwhelming this all feels now. After the colonoscopy, my doctor diagnosed my with Crohn's. I was incredibly upset, but now I'm very happy to have answers. I've been through several medications, infusions, unrelenting symptoms, and unfortunately surgery, but I'm proud to be in remission (for over a year now)! The best advice I can give you is to communicate with your GI doctor with everything you're experiencing, log your food/exercise and see how that impacts your body and mood. IBD can make you feel isolated and very hopeless sometimes, just know you have a community and family that supports you! I wish you so much luck and hope you get some answers and get back to feeling better as quickly as possible. Be well.