Hello All

I am new to the forum as I just discovered it today. I have had a number of symptoms for some time - diarrhoea, lower stomach /chest pains, boil in the rear that burst/healed/burst etc, fissure, joint pains and fatigue to name a few symptoms. About two years ago I had a dreadful bout of diarrhoea - went to GP had blood tests and was told it was bacterial - triple course of antibiotics and it settled down for a few months. When it flared up again, went through the same process with no success. Had a colonoscopy the other day with a biopsy taken - awaiting results. I knew i was in real trouble when i went to watch Chelsea, for my sins, and had to rush to the loo 4 times in 90 minutes - the game wasn't that good either. Then, of course, the bleeding and discharge from the boil when at work was a little disturbing. If I haven't got Chrons whatever I have is ruining my life. In some pain Advice welcomed.

Hi Ian

I am still waiting to be diagnosed too and waiting for results from a biopsy. I had my appendix removed 2 years ago, turns out it was healthy, the pain returned along with diarhoea. fortunately i havent had a boil yet. It does take them time to come to a diagnosis as so many things have similar symptoms. I know what you mean about it ruining your life.

Hang in there

Ian

Thanks Ian

It seems that things take a while - although they can keep their hands off my appendix as there is nothing wrong with that. I hope you get your results soon. My own GP is pretty good and will chase the hospital for me if they don't get the results to me in good time.

Just glad to be able to write without feeling embarrassed about things.

Regards

Ian

Hi Ian

My GP is ok it the hospital that are the problem, took 2 months just to see the consultant for the first time and now it seems to be 4 weeks to get a test done or 4 weeks to see the consultant.

It can be very embarrassing at times, i have been caught short a few times. I find that if i time my meals right 9 times out of 10 i will be ok. I find the worst thing is not being able to plan things as i dont know how i am going to feel from one day to the next.

Regards

Ian

Hello Ian

I have been fortunate as the hospital acted quickly to arrange the appointment. It might be something to do with my previous occupation which is still on my hospital file (Barrister) as I have had  appointments on other things where the staff laughed about being sued. I was a criminal lawyer and have no interest or desire to sue anyone but they don't know that. Mind you, my GP is a superb fella and puts up with my annoying him.

The consultant who carried out the colonoscopy was a touch brusque. I think he had a God complex or ego problem and didn't give a toss quite frankly. The sedative didn't work and the procedure was painful. Swearing at him probably didn't help my own cause but he bloody hurt me. I found the whole experience rather humiliating and lacking in care and dignity.  Your suffering from the same lack of care it seems - regarding your results taking so long. They must carried out the test by now? The worst of it is that they don't seem to care how long people wait and put their lives on hold or simply manage in the face of difficulties.

Maybe people should state a different occupation on their hospital records, unless they are employed in these roles of course eg: - put High Court Judge, Crown Prosecutor, Chief Medical Officer or Senior Tax Inspector of the we prosecute you department even if you have paid. Those hospital mandarins might just deal with things a little quicker if they thought you could cost them although I personally see no good in suing a free (at point of contact) service. Doesn't it make you sick how they have let our NHS services down in this way?

I am afraid I have little regard for the system which appeared full of people with a desire to talk about chocolate hobnobs whilst I lay on a trolley in a lunatic gown. Too many of the staff seemed to coast in my opinion and I am relatively lazy in the grand scheme of things.

At the moment I am just managing at work although have been able to hide the problem very well. My colleagues had no idea that (excuse the graphic description) my legs and rear end were covered in blood. The thick jeans helped cover it. What an existence. Thankfully, the bleeding has stopped with treatment but the pain is still severe. The worst of it is, the same self-important consultant who examined me forgot to speak to me after the examination to give me his view. I had to find him. When I did he said " don't worry I didn't see any signs of cancer but you will have to come to my clinic". I said when are you sending the results of the biopsy to my GP. He said, "I will write to you and arrange an appointment at the clinic". I then asked how long would it take to have the results as I would then know when to see my GP and he tried his best to ignore this question and said the clinic was the best place to deal with this. What a nob. Clearly he didn't see any relevance in my GP,s role or have any time scale for results. The unhappy land you find yourself in Ian and one I appear destined to join.

Best wishes

Ian

It seems to be a fundamental law of Crohn's patients that you either get a good GP or a good consultant but never both I seem to be lucky that I have a good consultant although to be fair to my GP he is more confused than uncaring. Hospital and surgery seem not to communicate in any meaningful way and my GP always seems to be surprised to see what treatment I'm on or to see blood test results coming back!

Anyway welcome to the forum new Ian and I hope your situation is resolved quickly (for that matter I hope that for both Ians!). Your symptoms do sound a lot like Crohn's. I hadn't heard of the bursting boils thing until I read Oli's history and that was exactly what he went through. So it seems a likely diagnosis and hopefully you will be on some treatment that helps soon!

Nigel

Thanks Nigel

I appreciate the reply. I hear that patients are supposed to have a choice with hospitals and, if I have to, I will make a choice and try to make it happen. I seen Oli's post and other forum posts. It has been really helpful not to feel alone.

Ian

Thanks Nigel

I feel the same as my fellow Ian, just really helpful to chat with people that have been through it all and to know that no matter how slow they work there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Cheers

Ian