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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Original poster

Bowel cancer?

13 replies

Newlywed84 · 27/03/2024 14:54

For the last few months im experiencing wierd bowel symptoms.

Started with this feeling like I had never been properly, and I still needed to go. Now im struggling to go normally - stools aren't constipated hard ones, instead really long and soft but so difficult for me to get them out. It's like I've lost the urge to go and as though I feel blocked.

Im so freaked out. I already have a benign tumor in my neck, being removed this month. Im aware stress could cause my bowel symptoms, but stress normally does the opposite to me - I get upset stomachs instead.

I have pretty severe history of anxiety, panic attacks etc. and I am now terrified that I have bowel cancer, and wondering how im going to figure this out whilst dealing with surgery for my head tumor.

Anyone have any advice re their symptoms? Or anything that might help with these symptoms?

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 27/03/2024 14:56

Have you asked your GP?

Fifiellz · 27/03/2024 15:04

In the first instance buy a home test kit for about a tenner and hopefully it will
put your mind at ease and if it doesn't you have information to take to the GP.

Original poster
Newlywed84 · 27/03/2024 15:10

Cookerhood · 27/03/2024 14:56

Have you asked your GP?

I've been trying to get an appointment, earliest I can get is over a week from now. But my anxiety is so high. I'm trying to get an earlier one x

OP posts:
Original poster
Newlywed84 · 27/03/2024 15:11

Fifiellz · 27/03/2024 15:04

In the first instance buy a home test kit for about a tenner and hopefully it will
put your mind at ease and if it doesn't you have information to take to the GP.

Thanks, I've just ordered one! Was terrified about the idea of doing it - but if I have to wait for GP then perhaps it's giving me one step ahead in the meantime.

Thank you

OP posts:
Fifiellz · 27/03/2024 15:15

Well done and good luck.

I've ordered one as well, I don't have any symptoms but thought as I was recommending you to do it, what's the harm in testing myself!

eatreadsleeprepeat · 27/03/2024 15:33

Well done on ordering the test, a good first step. What you describe, feeling as if you have not been completely and very long soft poos both happen to me with IBS, but better to get things checked. Maybe some techniques to deal with the anxiety would help? Good luck with everything you have going on.

Original poster
Newlywed84 · 27/03/2024 15:35

eatreadsleeprepeat · 27/03/2024 15:33

Well done on ordering the test, a good first step. What you describe, feeling as if you have not been completely and very long soft poos both happen to me with IBS, but better to get things checked. Maybe some techniques to deal with the anxiety would help? Good luck with everything you have going on.

Thank you, appreciate that.

I did have a phase of tummy issues when in my late 20s and was told it was IBS - so hoping it is that. I'm also very sensitive to hormones, and these have been a bit all over lately with stress of the tumor thing and surgery.

Anxiety just causes me to go to worst case scenario all the time :(

I'll do the test, and the GP next week 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

OP posts:
GoosieLucie · 27/03/2024 15:41

It could be any of several different conditions that are causing the problem. What you describe sounds possibly like you might have a prolapse that's pushing against the lower bowel or rectum. Or it could be diverticular disease or diet-related or anxiety-related.

But, I am NOT medically qualified and the above is not advice, it's only my immediate thoughts.

If you're worried, I do strongly advise that you contact your GP and tell him/her your concerns. If you need any further tests, such as a colonoscopy, they will arrange a referral.

booktokbear · 27/03/2024 17:11

Absolutely could be a number of things, I get symptoms like this because of bowel narrowings.

Symptoms I get (and have a huge history of this) are unable to finish even if I'm desperate to go, narrow stools, bloating, reflux.

Try not to worry, the rest is a great idea. Well done for going for it.

Bowel problems done always = cancer but def best to get it checked Flowers

namechangefail88 · 27/03/2024 17:18

I get this and it's due to internal piles. Causes quite severe bleeding too. Of course these are both red flag symptoms for bowel and rectal cancer too so I'm always paranoid about it. See your GP as soon as you're able but don't worry too much just yet.

Finallybreathe · 31/03/2024 12:19

Don’t mean to patronize you OP but it sounds like it could be anxiety. When I thought I had bowel cancer, I had blood (it was actually in the poo) diarrhea, constipation, mucus and back pain/sciatica which absolutely frightened me as I was only 23! I can remember I thought I was going to pass out the once having a poo (tmi - sorry).

Went to the GP, did lots of test and a colonoscopy and lo and behold - wasn’t bowel cancer. Definitely go to your GP if you feel concerned!

JoelDommettsTux · 18/04/2024 22:53

How are you OP?

Original poster
Newlywed84 · 03/05/2024 16:02

JoelDommettsTux · 18/04/2024 22:53

How are you OP?

Thanks for following up! I'm okay thanks - the bowel cancer test came back negative, but an ultrasound showed a cyst the size of a walnut on my ovary - the likely culprit of all the bloating.

Waiting for scan to decide next steps as it's quite sore. Glad I got checked! Thanks for checking in :) 🙏🏻

OP posts:
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