Lower left side discomfort back again

[MattyT123]

I been having lower left side cramps, soreness and discomfort for 5 years now, the symptoms are mild, but sometimes get really bad.

Blood and urine test normal, stool test prompted the GP to make a referral to gastroenterologist.

He thought it could be IBS or Colitis. Especially I had blood in stool.

The waiting list here in the UK is over 18 weeks, sometimes a year.

Last year I had 0 symptoms, felt fine there and thought I would be ok.

Sometimes I get the odd cramp, but not much.

After finding it difficult to get an appointment and personal issues I cancelled it. I thought it was gone now.

Wrong decision, because it's back now, had a really painful flare up over the weekend, now it has ease down a little, and just feels like mild cramp that comes and go.

I seem to notice it more now, and regret I cancelled it and feel such a nuisance now.

Would it be best to just leave it, wait and see, maybe try different diet etc?.
I been trying some Buscapan, it doesn't do much. Not sure if I should try peppermint tea.

Would it be best to go back and ask for a referral again?

The waiting list is so long, after reading about colitis, I'm now anxious I may have left it too long. (That's if I do have it.)