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Cancer

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Bowel changes and morning cramps after stomach upset, should I worry?

19 replies

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:14

Sorry i’m posting here for some advice with anyone who has had bowel cancer and if these symptoms are alarming?
I am really struggling with my health anxiety and i watch my body like a hawk.

I am 27years old, no family history of BC, typically fit and healthy.

Sunday afternoon i started with a “bubbly” stomach, something definitely had not agreed with me. Accompanied by cramps (only when needing to use the toilet) loose stools on the Monday.
My stools have hardened since maybe type 4 on the bristol stool chart. But since that episode on the Monday, I have been passing stools once or twice a day but cramps before passing. Then waking up to needing a wee followed by cramps with wind then go onto passing stool. Iv hardly opened my eyes and my bowels are moving, has anyone experienced similar? I wake up with the urgency to pee but i know i need to pass stools there and then.
It’s almost as if my cramps are waking me. It’s been happening most mornings this week.
Prior to this my bowel movements were all over the place, constipated or just random times of the day i’d go to toilet iv never had a routine if im honest.
I used to drink coffee every morning & then use the toilet but since being pregnant I have stopped.
To add I don’t have IBS, well iv never been tested.
I had my bloods done 2 weeks ago, all ok, haemoglobin levels fine, no blood in stools.

Diet - high fibre, veggies, meat daily.
The foods iv consumed this week - Dates,brocolli,chicken,eggs,kiwi,brown seeded bread,rice.

OP posts:
Zuve · 14/08/2026 08:20

You can get a fit bowel test from Amazon for a few pounds. A poo test. I do it every year as bc is in my family. I would definitely see your gp as it needs properly diagnostic tests.

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:29

Zuve · 14/08/2026 08:20

You can get a fit bowel test from Amazon for a few pounds. A poo test. I do it every year as bc is in my family. I would definitely see your gp as it needs properly diagnostic tests.

how do you get the results? iv seen a fit test you can order from one day test.
I think i will go to my GP on monday.

OP posts:
MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:33

the cramps disappear once i pass wind or stool & im able to get on with rest of my day.

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AutisticMumOf2 · 14/08/2026 08:33

There is no test for IBS, they just rule out other things. If you're getting a lot of fibre it can cause this so it's not surprising.

tomatoplants · 14/08/2026 08:35

Sounds more like something you’ve eaten or an allergy maybe. Or even a little bug.

but I think to be safe it’s worth going to GP as the change in how your body responds could be an indication of something else.

hope it settles!

tomatoplants · 14/08/2026 08:36

Also could it be a bit of constipation due to the heat and maybe not drinking enough water? You may have a small blockage?

lovemelongtime · 14/08/2026 08:37

You've had a bit of a stomach bug and it often takes a week or so for the stomachs natural bacteria to settle down. This is perfectly normal. Kefir can help re-establish natural bacteria in the gut

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:40

AutisticMumOf2 · 14/08/2026 08:33

There is no test for IBS, they just rule out other things. If you're getting a lot of fibre it can cause this so it's not surprising.

yeah, I do overall have quite a healthy diet.

OP posts:
MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:41

tomatoplants · 14/08/2026 08:35

Sounds more like something you’ve eaten or an allergy maybe. Or even a little bug.

but I think to be safe it’s worth going to GP as the change in how your body responds could be an indication of something else.

hope it settles!

yeah, with how my belly was on the weekend I wonder if my body is just settling or trying to get better because before Sunday I was having normal bowel movements.

OP posts:
MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:42

tomatoplants · 14/08/2026 08:36

Also could it be a bit of constipation due to the heat and maybe not drinking enough water? You may have a small blockage?

I don’t necessarily have constipation. I have had constipation before so I know it’s not that.
I am pregnant as well 10 weeks

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SapphireOpal · 14/08/2026 08:43

You've just had a stomach bug, that's why you've got cramps.

The only reason you would leap to assuming you might have bowel cancer this quickly as a fit healthy 20something is health anxiety - it's a very implausible explanation.

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:45

lovemelongtime · 14/08/2026 08:37

You've had a bit of a stomach bug and it often takes a week or so for the stomachs natural bacteria to settle down. This is perfectly normal. Kefir can help re-establish natural bacteria in the gut

yeah, that’s what I thought to be honest because Sunday morning I had completely normal stool. Went out for breakfast and then my belly started to feel offered if I had a bug and it was like diarrhoea for a day or two.

OP posts:
MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:46

SapphireOpal · 14/08/2026 08:43

You've just had a stomach bug, that's why you've got cramps.

The only reason you would leap to assuming you might have bowel cancer this quickly as a fit healthy 20something is health anxiety - it's a very implausible explanation.

I know that’s why I’ve put on the post that I have got health anxiety.
but also, you can get ball cancer when you’re fit and healthy and young I’ve seen it online

OP posts:
MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:46

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:46

I know that’s why I’ve put on the post that I have got health anxiety.
but also, you can get ball cancer when you’re fit and healthy and young I’ve seen it online

“bowel”

OP posts:
SapphireOpal · 14/08/2026 08:51

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 08:46

I know that’s why I’ve put on the post that I have got health anxiety.
but also, you can get ball cancer when you’re fit and healthy and young I’ve seen it online

Of course you can yes, but it's very rare.

Hence why I said implausible not impossible.

You've almost certainly just had a normal stomach bug and you need to get some help for your anxiety or you are going to find pregnancy and motherhood incredibly difficult.

AutisticMumOf2 · 14/08/2026 08:52

If your pregnant that can cause bowel changes. I think you need some help for your health anxiety being a mother with health anxiety will make things incredibly difficult for you.

Rubyupbeat · 14/08/2026 09:12

I would still say see a gp, but stomach bugs or food poisoning can honestly take a few weeks to go back to normal. Our stomachs are very sensitive and take ages to settle. Plus you are pregnant, I remember having constant diarrhoea when I was, maybe the hormones?
Please don't worry too much, but still see a gp.

Newgolddream123 · 14/08/2026 09:23

@MamaB12 "I am really struggling with my health anxiety and i watch my body like a hawk". have you thought about getting some therapy/CBT? Pregnancy can be a hard time if you live with health anxiety as your body produces so many weird and wonderful symptoms and having a child means that health anxiety can also be transferred to worries about your child, so it might be a really good time to try and tackle some of this. Bowels are notoriously connected to our mood and emotions - google vagus nerve and you will see!

MamaB12 · 14/08/2026 09:24

i will see my GP on monday.
hopefully this weekend it might clear up, but if persists i will be phoning my doctors.

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