Since the beginning of February 2008, I have had thin stools. At the end of that month, I went my doctor who decided that I should get a faecal blood test done to check for occult blood. That came back as normal.

Throughout March, I used to get strong pain in different areas of my stomach (but only in one place at each occasion) while using the cross trainer at my local gym. I hadn't been getting these before. They would occur in either my left or right side of stomach.

In mid-April, I started experiencing stomach cramps which began as a very mild, barely noticeable discomfort, before gradually becoming worse over the following four weeks. They got to the stage of being quite an annoyance, although not excruciating. Towards the end of this four-week period I also experience great lethargy for about 10 days. My doctor decided to refer me to a specialist.

At the end of the those four weeks, my clinic appointment came up. The doctor seemed adamant that I had some colon problem. A blood test was performed and came back okay two weeks later. By then, my cramps had died away and I was no longer lethargic, although my thin stools persisted. The doctor gave me the impression that nothing more should be looked into but said that it was up to me. I hinted that I was still concerned about my symptoms and a barium was scheduled for three weeks later.

When the time came, I swallowed the barium mixture and my small bowel was x-rayed. I believe a barium follow-through was done also. The results showed no concerns in my small bowel and it was decided that no further action was needed at this time. The doctor said that if I had some more trouble, I'd be getting a colonoscopy. This doctor was a new guy, as the original specialist was away on holiday at the time.

For the past 10 days, my abdominal cramps have reappeared (in a mild manner) and I'm worried they may get worse, as they did before. I get the feeling that it is up to me whether or not I get the colonoscopy as the doctors seem reluctant to give me that test. Therefore I'm writing here to ask whether it would be worthwhile or just a waste of time, especially given the results of the other tests.

Some Further Info on me:
I'm a 22-year-old male.
Eat plenty of fiber and exercise regularly.
Through my teenage years I didn't exercise all that much (I did walk though) and had a diet of mainly cheap processed foods.
No family history of bowel problems.