Bowel issues - terrified it's cancer

[babachic]

I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy in November which showed nothing so am now awaiting an ‘urgent’ colonoscopy, but been told it’ll likely be a long wait. I’m just scared and need a handhold/somewhere to vent as I feel I can’t talk to anyone about this without worrying them or seeming dramatic.

Symptoms include:
• Pain in stomach/sides - mostly the left hand side but often all over. Have been given cocodamol for this which does help the pain but obviously doesn’t stop it happening or coming back
• Blood in stool, mostly streaks inside it that I can see and less often in the toilet bowl/when I wipe. This is usually red blood but I had a FIT test which came back positive (score of 51 which my GP said was quite high as a positive is anything above 9?). Bleeding has been there since early this year (May/June time)
• Pressure/urgency to go to the toilet to the point I’m emptying my stools 3/4 times a day and I’m unable to hold it in, like I need to immediately go when I feel it but don’t feel that I fully go each time (no idea if that make sense)
• Constant indigestion - this was less frequent but is now every day regardless of whether I’ve recently eaten or not. I’m having rennie tablets every day but again they’re not helping much. The indigestion has been waking me up some nights too
• Blood tests have shown iron deficiency - not fully anaemic, but quite low
• Bloating/weight gain - no idea what it is but my stomach is massive now. I look about 6 months pregnant and it hurts to have waistbands/jeans touching against my stomach as it’s so huge now. I have a handful of clothes that I can fit into now and this has only been over the past few months.

My GP did a calprotectin(?) test to check for inflammation which came back negative so as far as I know it’s just the bleeding and pain that they’re concerned about. Has anyone experienced this or similar?

I ended up signed off of work from November till now due to the pain and increasing tiredness but I’m starting a new job next week and I’m so stressed about how it will go and needing time off for any procedures/the colonoscopy whenever I get that through. From basic examinations and the sigmoidoscopy they have all but ruled out a fissure or piles, but that makes me more concerned.

Just feeling really anxious and with all the time waiting for an appointment it’s just getting worse. Not sure the point of posting, just needed to get this all out and log it somewhere and possibly speak to someone who has experienced similar

@AlbertBridge not pregnant. No periods are because of the pill I was on but I've stopped taking that for other reasons and had a period now. Also done a test and it's the first thing the hospital/doctors done each time too. The indigestion is similar to when I was pregnant though - really painful and uncomfortable and comes on randomly then takes ages to go away

@pastabest @Christoncrutches I haven't been checked for them but agree about the similar symptoms. I have no sign of inflammation though whilst I thought those were mainly inflammatory/irritable conditions? No idea though and no help from doctors unfortunately

Oh, ok. I'm so so sorry you're going through this and I pray you get the colonoscopy really soon, if only to put your mind at rest.

If ioir fecal calprotectine it's negative then you can rule out IBD.

My symptoms have been continually getting worse and my immune system is totally wrecked. Got covid for the second time 2 weeks ago, before that had a chest infection and now have a respiratory infection. Don't think there's been a single month since October where I've not had some sort of illness.

Finally got a colonoscopy appointment booked- 14th feb. Can't believe it's taken so long but hoping it gives some answers

Had my colonoscopy today (yesterday now). Sedation was great, I could still feel it but it wasn't sore as such, more a weird feeling. Still really tired and a bit sore now but glad it's over!

They said there was nothing of concern which is obviously a relief but have taken 10 biopsies to be checked. I'm still anxious though as I have all these symptoms and have been very unwell for months but nothing has been found? Will obviously wait to see what the biopsies come back saying but the doctor said it'll probably just be IBS and I got sent home almost straight away

When my husband's bowel cancer was found, it was very evident on the colonoscopy. They called us in to warn is that there was something there that was likely to be malign, before he'd even properly come round from the sedation.
So if your people couldn't see anything, I think you should be fairly relaxed. Anything that shows up only in a biopsy would have to be at a very very early stage, and unlikely to be causing these problems.

@babachic good news they couldn't see anything. What's your next steps / plan?

@mrssunshinexxx yes i'm relieved that nothing sinister was found and sorry to hear about your husband @saraclara, I hope all is okay

Not been given next steps now, been dismissed as likely IBS so I know that means likely will just be left to deal with it. Just unsure how IBS could be causing all these issues and making me so unwell. No inflammation was found previously but she said the biopsies were to check for inflammation so I know they'll likely be clear. She just said keep a food diary and left - but I've already been doing this for months and there's no significant triggers or pattern to the symptoms. Indigestion for example is every day. Just feeling a bit disappointed that it's been almost a year of these symptoms and still not closer to any answers. Although i'm still exhausted and achy from the procedure and sedative so maybe that's making it worse

The NHS is falling apart. An urgent colonoscopy cannot be done within two weeks! Is there anyone you could borrow the money from to go privately?

Does the cocodamol not make you constipated? That might not be helpful.

I have two prolapsed discs in my back and the pain is eye-watering at times - I am on an opiate patch. The wait time here to see a spinal surgeon is 73 weeks!!! I am going private because I have just downsized and have a bit of profit from the sale. The whole situation with waiting lists is quite disgraceful.

I hope you are able to get some help soon.

Sorry - missed your update. Comments about NHS waiting lists still stand!

Glad they found nothing sinister. Try this support group: www.theibsnetwork.org/ I think there are others.

On the indigestion OP, has your dr ruled out h-pylori infection?