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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to push for a colonoscopy with these symptoms?

17 replies

Flowerpotprincess · 07/08/2026 09:37

I’m having some ongoing health issues which are really beginning to scare me - TMI warning for what’s ahead!!

Ive had a lifelong history of constipation, which in the last year has gotten worse. Didn’t think much of it as it isn’t hugely unusual for me, but definitely becoming a more prominent issue.

I went to the GP for something unrelated at the end of June, and had some bloods done at the beginning of July. All normal except for my haemoglobin, which suggests I could be anaemic. Call booked in 2 weeks later to discuss, and arranged iron studies and FIT test.

In the following weeks, I have been feeling increasingly more lightheaded, and began to have a worsening pain in the right side of my stomach (sometimes lower, sometimes upper - difficult to pinpoint exact location) and my right shoulder. I went on holiday last Tuesday, and began having severe diarrhoea, sometimes very dark in colour, other times reddish. No obvious blood.

Got back from holiday and was in a terrible way, so went to A&E. GP felt tummy and said he thought he might be able to feel a mass, said could be an ovarian cyst? Recommended ultrasound at another time.

Next day, tried to work but felt increasingly unwell. Had further bloods for iron and ferritin studies. Booked another GP appointment for this Tuesday, husband came with me as I’m beginning to get increasingly upset. Have said to her straight up that I’m incredibly concerned about bowel cancer, she said she didn’t think I need to be worried and would see the result of the FIT test. This has since come back normal with a reading of 7. My bloods show haemoglobin of 118, ferritin of 13. Last time ferritin was checked in 2023, it was 169!!

On Wednesday, Thursday and this morning, I have woken up with severe stomach pain and black diarrhoea. I went back to A&E last night as I just can’t take the pain and feeling so unwell. More bloods done (liver and kidneys normal), and saw another GP. Again said I’m scared about bowel cancer, he said he didn’t think I should be so concerned about that. Mentioned gallbladder issues, which I’m just not convinced by - I don’t have the classic symptoms, and everything seems to point more towards a bowel issue. He has however said that he will arrange for me to have an ultrasound today and be seen in the same day emergency care centre for further assessment.

Both my husband and parents think I’m being ridiculous for even considering bowel cancer, and think I’m being ignorant for not listening to the 3 doctors I’ve seen in the last few weeks. I just don’t think I’m being unreasonable - bowel cancer is massively on the rise in young people (I’m 36), and my symptoms seem to point more towards that than anything else? I have a change in bowel habit, stomach pain and unexplained anaemia. Celiac test came back negative, as have other inflammatory condition tests. I’m feeling so low, upset and tearful and I’m having daily anxiety attacks worrying that something has been wrong for over a year and I didn’t get it checked. I have 2 small DC under the age of 5 and I’m terrified. I don’t feel like I can talk to anyone.

AIBU? Yes - you are most likely overreacting and your family and the doctors are probably right. It is most likely something else

YANBU - this could be serious, push for a colonoscopy ASAP

OP posts:
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KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 07/08/2026 18:23

A 6-12 week wait for a colonoscopy is fine, anything that could be found by colonoscopy is not going to get worse on that timescale so going private would be a huge waste.

Incidentally on the subject of Iron Pills, the digestion side effects can be massively reduced if you take them on an empty stomach with vitamin C and then wait at least 45mins-1hr before eating breakfast

Original poster
Flowerpotprincess · 07/08/2026 18:16

No iron supplements taken yet, prescription was given on Tuesday and was only picked up this morning after getting the text it was ready. Weirdly enough the GP today has told me not to take them as he thinks a repeat set of bloods in 4 weeks time might be useful to see how quickly things may be changing/dropping on their own without supplements.

He is also not concerned about what is happening. He has said he will refer me for the colonoscopy but will be just on the standard pathway which is probably a 6-12 week wait. No private medical cover unfortunately and after a quick search I definitely haven’t got the £2500 to pay for it myself 🙁

OP posts:
GinandGingerBeer · 07/08/2026 17:57

I was just going to say the same as the PP. Are you taking iron supplements? They commonly cause black stools and constipation.

Partingofthewaves · 07/08/2026 17:05

Are taking iron supplements because they can cause black poo? Having said that, I would also want further investigations with your symptoms.

Original poster
Flowerpotprincess · 07/08/2026 15:00

Thank you for everyone’s replies so far - I hope those that replied that have had bowel cancer are doing well 💐

Just returned from the private ultrasound, that has ruled out any gallbladder, liver or gynae issues. I’ve contacted my GP with the results and the ongoing problems and they have given me an emergency appointment for this afternoon at 4.

I think what is making me scared is the fact that I’ve had worsening constipation for a year now. I feel stupid for not getting it checked sooner but I’ve always suffered from it on and off since I was a child so didn’t think it would be necessary 🙁. I’m particularly worried that the last few weeks are showing an ‘escalation’ of something. I’ve also never had black poo (!) or such terrible stomach pains on the right side. Feeling pretty emotional about it to be honest as it’s making me feel so rubbish. Luckily I have my 2 energetic DC to keep me slightly distracted!

OP posts:
Ansells · 07/08/2026 12:32

Backedoffhackedoff · 07/08/2026 12:21

Hi op I have regular colonoscopy’s (I’m only early 40s) due to risk factors related to bowel cancer and have had a few polyps removed.

i am just going to say a few things that came to mind but it’s obviously not medical advice

bowel cancer is a slow growing cancer. I have not heard of someone having acute symptoms as you describe. The process of it making itself known is really gradual- even polplys take years to grow. Thinking back the last year or so is there anything else that’s been happening?

the concern is, of course, no one can know what’s going on Inside your (6ft!) of dark, damp bowel. The only way is a colonoscopy. What I might do is spend some time reading want a colonoscopy can diagnose and have a think about whether those things fit with your symptoms.

a FIT test is a pretty good test to be honest. It would detect blood in your stools. It’s possible you could have a growth that isn’t bleeding. However one thing to mention is polyps are painless. You describe quite a lot of pain. Some colorectal cancers can cause pain though.

my initial thought is a lot seems related to your iron - have you started supplements as this causes changes to movements And black poo.

i am reluctant to say “push” for a colonoscopy because I don’t think that really means anything- you can give it a go but they’re not going to do anything quickly because you’re asking. However you do need a follow up and a plan of some kind.

could you investigate a private colonoscopy to put your mind at ease?

Agree with this completely. I have had bowel cancer, and my symptoms were slow - constipated for a long time and anemic, then bleeding for months (I was in my late teens so didn’t know this was a red flag), then localised severe pain. It’s highly unusual for to appear in this way where you are suddenly having all these symptoms. With your tests results what they are, there are no red flags and it seems you are panicking and potentially stressing yourself out.

That said, we can never be sure of anything so by all means ask for a colonoscopy from your GP and mention the bloody poo, but don’t panic and think the worst. Those symptoms really do point to many other things.

vixsta2001 · 07/08/2026 12:25

Even if the scan comes back clear please do insist on a colonoscopy. Even the MRI wasn’t accurate as when they took it out it was 3cm even bigger than the scan suggested! All blood tests were always clear over the years.

vixsta2001 · 07/08/2026 12:24

I had loose stools for 9 years and back and forth from the docs being told it’s ibs. Finally it all become too much and I insisted on a referral to gastroenterology and lo and behold after a colonoscopy and endoscopy they discovered a giant polyp which had been confirmed as high grade dysplasia! I’ve had it removed and they said that any longer it would almost certainly have progressed into colon cancer and most probably have spread to the lymph nodes first. All I can say is get it checked and insist on being checked and do not take no for an answer!! I’m just 45 years old.

Backedoffhackedoff · 07/08/2026 12:24

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 07/08/2026 12:20

I had bowel cancer, and I know full well that there are a gazzillion things that cause uncomfortable and distressing bowel symptoms that aren't bowel cancer so YABU because you need to trust the process which looks for all the other things that it's a lot more likely to be. Colonoscopies are not much fun either, so I wouldn't be demanding one until all the more likely possibilities have been eliminated. With a FIT test result of 7 you are very very unlikely to have bowel cancer and you are fixating on this idea for psychological reasons not rational ones.

You’ve said what I did better 🤣 yes agreed. Colonoscopy’s detect polpys and general bowel condition. They’re not going to help diagnose most abdominal / digestive issues.

OP I would really have a think about your plan from the sense of ok, what would I then do if the colonoscopy shows nothing?
Because abdominal issues are hard to diagnose and you can’t have 1 solution in your mind unfortunately

HitthefloorforTaintedLove · 07/08/2026 12:21

There is something amiss, it may or may not be bowel cancer but given all your symptoms it should be investigated ASAP.

My DH has bowel cancer a little bit older than you (although there was a family history). Early detection is key so do push - I'm not saying I think you have cancer, but you're being fobbed off somewhat.

Backedoffhackedoff · 07/08/2026 12:21

Hi op I have regular colonoscopy’s (I’m only early 40s) due to risk factors related to bowel cancer and have had a few polyps removed.

i am just going to say a few things that came to mind but it’s obviously not medical advice

bowel cancer is a slow growing cancer. I have not heard of someone having acute symptoms as you describe. The process of it making itself known is really gradual- even polplys take years to grow. Thinking back the last year or so is there anything else that’s been happening?

the concern is, of course, no one can know what’s going on Inside your (6ft!) of dark, damp bowel. The only way is a colonoscopy. What I might do is spend some time reading want a colonoscopy can diagnose and have a think about whether those things fit with your symptoms.

a FIT test is a pretty good test to be honest. It would detect blood in your stools. It’s possible you could have a growth that isn’t bleeding. However one thing to mention is polyps are painless. You describe quite a lot of pain. Some colorectal cancers can cause pain though.

my initial thought is a lot seems related to your iron - have you started supplements as this causes changes to movements And black poo.

i am reluctant to say “push” for a colonoscopy because I don’t think that really means anything- you can give it a go but they’re not going to do anything quickly because you’re asking. However you do need a follow up and a plan of some kind.

could you investigate a private colonoscopy to put your mind at ease?

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 07/08/2026 12:20

I had bowel cancer, and I know full well that there are a gazzillion things that cause uncomfortable and distressing bowel symptoms that aren't bowel cancer so YABU because you need to trust the process which looks for all the other things that it's a lot more likely to be. Colonoscopies are not much fun either, so I wouldn't be demanding one until all the more likely possibilities have been eliminated. With a FIT test result of 7 you are very very unlikely to have bowel cancer and you are fixating on this idea for psychological reasons not rational ones.

Frozensun · 07/08/2026 12:11

Yes, I’d push towards a colonoscopy. There’s indications that may be nothing at all, but better to check it out fully.
just fyi - there is something called overflow diarrhoea. Check it out, it might be part of the problem.

WineCharm · 07/08/2026 12:11

YANBU. If you can afford to go private, do so. I wouldn't ignore any of these symptoms. I'm not suggesting they will come to anything sinister but there is no way I would have any peace of mind with all of the guesswork from myself and others.

timtamsarebetterthanpenguins · 07/08/2026 12:09

It’s shocking that you even need to push. YANBU in the slightest.

Natsku · 07/08/2026 12:05

The black diarrhoea ought to be reason enough in itself for a colonoscopy but especially when combined with anaemia, pain, and change in bowel habits. Definitely push for a colonoscopy and I hope they get to the bottom of it (pun only slightly intended). I'm going through such investigations right now, it is worrying Flowers)

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 07/08/2026 11:41

Your poor thing, this sounds awful.

Even though the medical professionals believe bowel cancer seems unlikely, they have not yet ascertained what is going on and given this, your fears are completely valid to you.

In your position I would also push for a colonoscopy.

Good luck x