u/BiscottiAcademic5053

Hey everyone!

I am a 20 year old who's recently started on the journey to getting help/diagnosed after I started developing anal bleeding with bowel movement during periods. On Friday, the 15th of May, I had an abdominal and intravaginal ultrasound. I was getting mentally prepped for the examination when the hospital called me. They asked if I would be free for a "flexible sigmoidoscopy" in two weeks. I agreed, as they said my GP had recommended it. This was a bit of a surprise as my GP had not mentioned anything to me prior about having this, but I'll take what I can get for sure.

I'm a bit more informed on it now, but I wanted to ask what people's experiences have been with this exam. Has anyone reached a diagnosis with this? Or is it just another step on the way to more concrete procedures? Also, the Sigmoidoscopy has a pretty large chance of landing on my period this month. Is it possible that they would decide not to go through with it due to this? Or would it potentially increase my chances of them finding something?

Last question I swear! But within a week I was scheduled for the ultrasounds and the Sigmoidoscopy. This is through the NHS. I am an international student, so I have no frame of reference of how good or bad this is time wise. Basically, how cooked am I based on the speed of them getting me booked into things 😭?

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I'm a 20yo international student studying in the UK, Wales to be specific, and this is my last year before I go back to my home country. I still have a few more months before I go back, and I was hoping to start looking into surgery and other exams once I got back, but since my issues have begun to increase in intensity these last few months I'm more urgently looking for other solutions.

I am not diagnosed, however my GP does agree that something is wrong. On top of extreme pain, fatigue, and illness from my periods, I've also begun to experience cyclical anal bleeding with bowel movements. Now my cramps and painful bowel movements have extended into nearly every day, and it's negatively impacting my mood, mental health, and also my education.

I know the NHS is very slow. I've been put on a list for an intravaginal ultrasound at my local hospital, but when I called to ask when the date for that might be, I was informed that I was so far down the list that they couldn't give me an estimated time for when it would be. I'm thinking of turning to private healthcare because honestly I can't keep up with how quickly my symptoms are worsening. I used to be able to deal with my old symptoms no matter how hard it was, but I feel this has gone too far for me to manage, and I'm trying to find what my options are.

I've spoken to spire healthcare, and they'd be willing to streamline me straight into a laparoscopy, but it would cost £11,000+. However, I'd be able to get the surgery within 4 to 6 weeks. Is there an option or a way to get treatment for cheaper in a similar time frame with another private care company? Or maybe a way to get the process started more quickly with the NHS? I'd appreciate any advice I could get on this, thank you!