Hello, I’m a 31 year old male who is waiting on the official diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis. One of my many symptoms of UC is red bumps in numerous spots on my body which a few doctors have chalked up to eczema - however these don’t get worse in the winter and don’t go away with normal eczema medication.
I live in the UK and have had a rough go of it through the NHS. In August I noticed a pain in my left oblique area which I chalked up to a strained muscle after doing a hard kettlebell workout and then golfing 36 holes in a day. I got blood work and a stool sample done and there was nothing alarming (aside from low Folic Acid counts). I was referred to a Gastroenterologist but my appointment isn’t until mid February (oh the NHS!).
Over the last 2 weeks I’ve had really bad pains in my left abdomen but have also had pains in my lower back (left side) as well as my kidney (just below my left ribcage). It almost feels like a pressure buildup that goes away after I pee or pass a stool. My stools & pee look normal and the pain seems to be slowly easing but it’s still there.
I’m starting to get a bit worried because I’ve gone to emergency services. The individual at emergency services literally told me there was nothing he could do and if I was worried enough I should just pay for a private colonoscopy (£1800 or more). I called my GP back and they won’t even let me come into the office for a follow up appointment due to COVID health and safety issues. Everything is over a phone and the soonest appointment is 3 weeks from now.
As somebody who is very regimented with what I put into my body, I know this is not from a singular food. 2 things I’m wondering about though are if this could be coming on due to marajuana which I unfortunately smoke too much of (daily user). Also I use a carrying cup for my coffee and noticed a few areas of mould in the bottom of it last Sunday before throwing it away.
Could this simply be a pulled muscle and an adverse reaction to consuming mouldy coffee for a week or 2? An ulcerative colitis flair? At this point I’m just looking for some over the counter remedies get me to my Gastro appointment in February, but I am also making myself a bit paranoid that I have a serious problem and am making it worse by letting it fester for the next 3 months.