Could this NOT be bowel cancer?

[babayagga]

There’s been blood in my stool for the past few weeks, and for the past week I have also been in constant pain in my lower abdomen, which only gets better at night. I’ve lost my appetite and think I’ve lost weight. I’m more tired than usual, still feeling shattered after 9 hours of sleep. Waiting for GP test results and have been referred to gastro.

My question is, is there anyone out there who’s had all these symptoms and it turned out NOT to be bowel cancer (or another kind of cancer)? I have a 1yo DC.

Also grateful for replies if you were diagnosed with bowel cancer and have a young child. How are you coping?

Thanks

I'm in the same boat.... colonoscopy on Sunday and petrified. Was bleeding over Christmas but dr delayed and asked me to go privately for ultrasound which was clear. I have a 10 month old son.

tigger - if it was something big, it would have shown up on the ultrasound. So worst-case scenario is it’s an early-stage malignancy, which is very treatable.

Are you in any pain? I’m in constant discomfort below my waistline, which makes it hard to concentrate and to carry my child around. It only lets up when I’m asleep at night.

christmas - are you, perchance, in the medical profession? Thank you for support.

Not in the medical profession but have a DD who has recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (after other investigations) after bleeding etc so have some knowledge of the correct referral process etc and what investigations should be ordered.

No problem - I hope you and @tigger get things sorted soon.

christmas- so sorry to hear about your DD, poor thing! How’s she been feeling?

Just got stool test results back from GP; it came back negative ‘for everything we looked for’. Not sure where that leaves me- it doesn’t exactly rule anything out, does it?

Ah poor you OP. It could be diverticular disease or diverticulitis. I've been reading about this just today, as my dad has just come out of hospital with diverticular disease and your symptoms sound similar to what I've read. Hope you get it resolved soon though

Much much better - UC could very well be the cause of your problems, so if it is don't hesitate to PM me about treatment etc.

Rules out infection really, possibly testing for inflammatory markers (though DDs were negative - I don't think this is uncommon), maybe for blood.

When's your appt?

No need to go private. Go back to gp, or a different one, and say you are worried it's bowel cancer and request 2 week referral. You need to see a specialist to rule it out at least.

You need blood tests and either a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
It could be cancer, but it's MUCH more likely to be piles, inflammatory bowel disease etc.
It needs investigating ASAP.
I have ulcerative colitis so have been through all this and know how scary it is.

Thanks for your kind messages, everyone. Saw a consultant today, who said it’s most likely UC or Crohn’s. Having colonoscopy in a week’s time.

As I understand it, UC can be pretty debilitating. What’s been your experience with it?

@SimplySteve.

I think it's important to give correct information.

It is possible to have fresh blood in the stool from a stomach ulcer, but, it is comparitively rare unless you are having a torrential - i.e. bleeding to death amount of blood loss. The digestive processes in the upper GI tract digest blood into thick tarry stools called malaena in most cases where blood is visible.

From the symptoms id suggest -

1)Inflammatory Bowel Disease (UC / Crohn's)
2)Diverticular bleed
3)Ischaemic colitis
4)Haemorrhoid (unlikley as abdominal pain isnt a predominant feature)

The systemic inflammatory symptoms make me think more of inflammatory bowel - do you have sore eyes? mouth ulcers or sore inflammed joints?

Yup, which is why I didn't comment further on it @FixTheBone . Was going from what I was told in the past fortnight while passing through A&E with my viewpoint being clouded by my own experience. Thanks for your clarity.

OP, hope you are on medication to help while waiting and feeling better.

My experience of UC:
I take Pentasa daily, an anti inflammatory type medicine to prevent flare ups, and have to have a blood test every 6 months to check it's not pickling my liver (ok so far! I think that's rare).
I go for many months or years without symptoms, or just the occasional bit of blood.
TMI part. When I have a flare up, I get looser stools and bloody discharge. It's sore and I often feel like I need the loo when I don't. I get some stomach cramps, but my UC isn't that extensive so it's not too bad. I have to be treated with a mixture of high dose steroids like predniscolone, plus a steroid foam (which goes up your bum, but it's really not as bad as it sounds).
I would say I am incredibly lucky and 90% time UC doesn't affect me, but it's bad when it does. However some people have continuous symptoms. Because of the relapsing and remitting nature of the condition, you might wish to declare it as a disability at work.
They key thing to remember with UC is it is manageable. Eating healthily, reducing stress and giving up coffee will definitely improve your symptoms, although "officially" you'll be told it doesn't matter in my experience.
I am under a consultant and IBD nurse and they have been absolutely fantastic. When I had a bad flare up last year, if I had questions or concerns I contacted the IBD nurse who answered them herself or referred to the consultant. Also Crohns and Colitis UK website is great for support.
All in all, personally I find it ok and am mostly getting on with my life. If it turns out you do have UC, please feel free to message me with any questions and I'll answer as best I can.

DDs experience of UC is pretty similar to @UserThenLotsOfNumbers

Flare ups require prednisolone for 10 weeks or so (unpleasant but not awful) and have required time off school (6 weeks or so). She suffers loose stools, lots of blood and stomach pain but unlike a 'tummy ache' it is quite specific to her left side where her colitis is. So if she is flaring she generally takes paracetamol too (never ever take nurofen if you have IBD)

She takes pentasa long term to prevent flare ups but with IBD they do happen occasionally.

It isn't a nice disease to have but it is MANAGEABLE and thats the important thing.

Consultants and IBD nurses can be contacted whenever.

Feel free to pm.

And although lifestyle changes can help, it is generally something you will always be medicated for - otherwise your risk of a flare up is too high

I have pain in the muscles of my back and neck- is that something you have found to be a symptom?

Not so much muscular pain, but joint aches are very much a symptom of IBD.

have pain in the muscles of my back and neck

This is a common symptom of stress!

somewhere LOL

My dad had similar symptoms and was referred for a colonoscopy within 2 weeks after they ran some bloods, we were all dreading the worst but it was polyps which they removed there and then and don't want to see him for a follow up for a year now

Update for future readers: colonoscopy has revealed nothing but small haemorrhoids. Biopsies have been taken in a few random places, to try to understand why I’m having the symptoms. I am extremely relieved, but not entirely reassured- so look forward to seeing what biopsy etc. will tell.

Thank you everyone who has supported me on this thread through this difficult time. I am going to post another update once I know more, in case someone stumbles upon the thread and finds it relevant.

thanks 4 update x

Oooh good update. But yes my experience is that I have/ had bright red blood in stools, very mucous-y (sorry) , abdo pain occasionally, cramps etc. Mine was suspected polyps which there turned out not to be so diagnosed Proctitis.... often occurs in gay males through sexual conduct after googling! (I am a very straight, recently aged 30, non anal-ing female)
But I too convinced myself it was bowel cancer.

If the blood is bright red the dr said it means that it comes from the last section of your bowel before exiting, therefore less likely to be cancerous or a stomach ulcer

@babayagga thank you for updating .

Glad nothing suspicious found but can understand why you're not instantly happy .So frustrating to not know cause of your symptoms .

And personally I find that it takes me a good while to revert from high anxiety to normal anxiety .

Hoping you get answers soon .

I'm pleased you're diagnosis was nothing too serious and that you can carry on with your life without having cancer.
And as much as I appreciate the fear was quite overwhelming, I feel that your comments on the cancer thread were rather insensitive. Writing things such as "goodbye cruel world" and "I haven't got long left on this earth" before any confirmed diagnosis when there are people on that thread who are actually dying, was just a bit melodramatic and uncalled for.
So I hope your thread helps anyone in the same situation, and I also hope they remember to be more sensitive if / when posting on the cancer thread. After all, a mild case of piles is unlikely to cost you your life.

Your diagnosis and not you're!