I am a bit desperate...6 weeks ago I started having trouble with my stools...Very small amounts, normal consistency but narrower than usual.
My gp had an abdominal x-ray photo taken but it did not show any blockage nor was the colon full. He gave me a mild laxative (lactulosis). My stool got looser and there was some mucus on it. My doctor then gave me mesalazine, a medicine that is used for intestinal infections. I took that for 2 weeks. I started having very frequent stools (3x a day or more often), normal looking although somewhat smaller than usual. I also had diarrhea for 2 days but that went away. Meanwhile, I also started loosing appetite, which for me is extraordinary. I ate only 2 meals a day and I could not eat anything in the evening, for I would have serious stomach trouble in the night. My stools kept looking weird - sometimes they seemed normal, but most of the time they were either a bit flat or narrow but then, just when I started worrying, I would have normal stools, though never as much as I used to. My doctor had my blood checked - it was ok. Now I have an appointment for a colonoscopy, which he made just because I insisted - he is convinced it is a minor thing, but I am really not. Besides the stools, I had several weird things going on:
- I started getting sidepains on the left that went away
- I had severe pain on the left side of my pelvis - it is better now
- I had - and still have - pains in my rib cage, mostly on the left side and on the back side, and my breastbone hurts
- my stomach gets worse: I experience lots of nausea, eating is becoming a big thing - I have been (unconsciently) avoiding lots of things I normally love, like fat, potatoes and sweets
- I do not have adominal pains or cramps, other than a few times and just vagely. However, I have experienced severe bloating of the upper abdomen (stomach) a few times. That is now practically over.
- I had a tender spot in the abdomen, to the left of my belly button, that lasted for a week or 2 - it was just the skin and the flesh, not deeper.
- I get sometimes a vague pain, that lasts only a while, on the left side of the abdomen, very close to the groin
- I had mucus on my stool on 1 or 2 occasions
- today I found a spec of blood - already clotting - in my stools, just 1 drop really.
- I do not feel weak or otherwise sick and I have a lot of energy like always.

Well, my gp may be carefree but I am not...I don't know what I am facing in the upcoming colonoscopy so I would be very greatful if anyone can tell me about their experiences. I am very worried!!!!!

About me: I am overweight and a 48-year female.

Thank you,
sas.