Hiya lovely, I have Ulcerative Colitis, in for a planned csection tommorrow as I'm in the middle of a flare up.
My first signs around 10 years ago was constant loose (water almost) stools with mucous mixed in. Sometimes these stools were bloody, other times not but usually always mucousy.
Cramps and fatigue always came along with these bouts of loose stool - and still do, it's not just a tummy ache but the feeling your whole stomach is on fire, litterally engulfed in flames. When I've finished a bowel motion, my insides feel like they are being tugged and I never truly feel like I'm done.
These are the symptoms I went to the doctor's with all those years ago and I was sent for a colonoscopy right away which showed Ulcerative Colitis and perianal proctitis.
I hope this has helped a little and you get the answers you deserve lovely xxx