Colonoscopy- terrified

[puguin86]

Hi
. I've been having really bad pains on the left hand side of my stomach on and off for about two years, Gp constantly dismissed me and said it was nothing / it's posture, sometimes we just get pains for no reason Blah blah blah. I'm 32. We have recently moved and I've gone to a new gp afteR having another weekend lying in bed and crying due to the pain.

He's referred me for a colonoscopy !! Clearly having now googled my symptoms bowel cancer keeps coming up. I'm properly bricking myself. Please tell me I've had known before now if it was something serious. I'm terrified

Thanks

I have recently gone through a similar experience. I also thought I had bowel cancer, I am 39 and all doctors said to me the chances of bowel cancer are very unlikely. I had colitis and 2 polyps removed. Colonoscopy procedure was fine apart from it can be embarrassing for some people you are offered a sedative and I felt like I had a few glasses of wine. Even the bowel prep is not that bad. Good LUCK!!

Also recently been through similar experience age 23! As above, the colonoscopy really isn't that bad. Bowel prep I found worse but only because I didn't like the taste really! (Add squash to it. Lifesaver. Just don't use a flavour you'll want to have again anytime soon )

In terms of the cancer worries, it's utterly normal to be worried and freak out. Try not to Google the symptoms again - there's so many things it could be and for most people it's unlikely.

Hand hold and best wishes at least whatever it is is being taken seriously now, that's excellent news!

Hi @puguin86

I've also been referred for a colonoscopy and scans. I've got some weird hard discomfort next to my belly button and some dodgy blood test results. I am absolutely terrified.

@MrsMyreton for you too. Sorry I can't do more than that!

I have so many problems with pain and bleeding but I'm terrified of getting help about it because my father died of bowel cancer in his early 40s :(

flowerpicture , if I were your father I'd be sending you telepathic messages saying "Don't be such an idiot! Get yourself to the Dr right now! I wish I had".

I've just had one due to symptoms and a family history of Bowel Cancer. Also had a gastroscopy at the same time. I had sedation and it was fine. I was asleep for the gastroscopy but semi awake for the colonoscopy so I've seen bits of myself I never expected to see. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I was worried because of my symptoms but my logic was the earlier they treat things the better the possible outcome. If you have bowel cancer in your family then early removal of polyps can make a real difference to long term risk (I had one removed).

Hi @MrsMyreton hand hold here. I can't get it out my mind how worried I am. I'm glad it doesn't seem to be too bad 😭