From my first unnatural bowel movements (not normal for me), was about three months max. Obviously, I tried all the usual things first as well as a useless doctor who gave me three different things which did nothing at all (in Bulgaria where I was living). It was a private Bulgarian doctor who told me that he would try one final check (with antibiotic), but that if it didn’t work, I was to immediately go to a specialist. I was living in China at the time and about to leave when I found that doctor. It didn’t work so I did as I was told, and went to a specialist (with difficulty) who listened to my story, did a stool text, found a tiny amount of blood and ordered colonoscopy, at which point the polyp was discovered.

I think the main point is that if your bowel movements become odd (for you) and stay that way for more than a month, you definitely need professional attention. We all try the chemist first, diet, whatnot and everything to avoid colonoscopy, of course, but strange bowel movements over an ‘abnormal’ period are a message.