Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Convinced I have bowel cancer

32 replies

Mummyto2123 · 19/07/2022 09:52

For the past few days I've woke up needing to go to the toilet and after I've been i have cramps for a while after. This is making me really worry as my stools are quite loose. Bowel cancer is the first thing thats coming to my mind and I'm going out my mind with worry. I suffer really bad with health anxiety so it's making me ill with worry. My tummy is making some gurgling noises too so I'm not sure what this could be. I've not seen my gp yet as I was hoping it would stop and I'm also scared to see them. I'm 34

OP posts:
chubbachub · 19/07/2022 10:09

There is a weird stomach bug going round. My dh had it and had the cramps etc as well for around 6 days.
Called gp on 5th day. Wont do anything until 7 days. Recommended buscopan. Eat ice lollies and sip water to stay hydrated.

I doubt its bowel cancel, as its just been the last few days but if it continues for weeks and/or there is blood in your stool or any hip pain, you should see a gp.

Feel better soon.

BIWI · 19/07/2022 10:10

A search of your username reveals that all you post about is your anxiety and fears around your health.

Please, please, please go and see your GP and ask for help with this.

bluegardenflowers · 19/07/2022 10:13

sounds like a mild tummy upset . If its still like this in a week see your GP. Meanwhile drink plenty and reduce the amount you eat to bland foods, like toast.

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 19/07/2022 11:25

I occasionally get some blood smears on the toilet paper but I have external piles and it happens once in a blue moon. Regarding the anxiety I'm on sertraline but may ask to have my dose increased. It's the pain in the morning that worries me and it carries on after a bm i thought it would go away after. And my stomach has been gurgling which I read can happen with bowel cancer

OP posts:
Knittedfairies · 19/07/2022 11:36

You need to see your GP. I hope you feel better soon.

mibbelucieachwell · 19/07/2022 12:57

At your age bowel cancer is very rare. IBS or a bug is much more likely.

mrsfoof · 19/07/2022 17:21

It's much more likely to be a mild tummy bug or upset tummy from the heat. Worth seeing your GP for reassurance if it persists but highly unlikely to be cancer.

whattheactualfck · 19/07/2022 17:26

@Mummyto2123

Sertraline can cause an upset stomach xx

HardRockOwl · 19/07/2022 19:17

You need to get help for your health anxiety and nobody should be offering you reassurance regarding your latest health worry. It does you no good because all you post about is your imagined health issues

You need to seek help urgently as this sort of thing will really impact on your children eventually

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 20/07/2022 20:45

I really appreciate the replies. I'm trying to stop worrying but I've had pains most of the day as if I need to go but when I try I can't. This morning I had quite loose stools so now it seems like I'm constipated

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/07/2022 20:47

You see if I haf that I would presume -

  • The curry I had was a bit potent
  • IBS possibly
  • A stomach bug

Cancer wouldn't cross my mind.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/07/2022 20:48

**had

ScarlettDarling · 20/07/2022 20:51

Anxiety is hideous. I suffer from health anxiety myself and I well recognise that feeling where you convince yourself that any twinge or symptom means you have cancer.
You do know how many other things could be causing those symptoms don’t you? Anxiety, Ibs, food intolerance, the heat, a tummy bug, hormones, ovulation, period....I could go on. If you’ve still got these symptoms in a couple of weeks then speak to your gp who can do tests if they feel they’re necessary.
For now, just accept that your tummy is a bit off. Keep repeating that you’ll worry about it in two weeks time, you don’t need to worry about it today.
Anxiety is the pits. If you find a way to beat it the pin please let me know!!

quietnightmare · 20/07/2022 20:52

Sounds like stress and IBS. I have IBS all week every morning without fail usually get these intense pains and sweating when I get in the car I have to go back to the house and then I go to work and low and behold on the weekend and I don't have work my IBS disappears it's damn stress. Wouldn't surprise me if that's what's going on, much more likely than cancer. Please go to the Go For re assurance and ask for blood tests just to rule it out and in the meantime do what you can to relax

catfunk · 20/07/2022 21:08

Op it seems like you are convinced you have some form of cancer every few months. I assume you visit your gp every time and it's fine ? There's no reason to assume this is any different.
Are you receiving any treatment for your health anxiety?

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 25/07/2022 14:25

I'm taking 50mg sertraline at the minute. I had a breakdown yesterday to my husband he laughed and said it'll just be a sore tummy and that's it. But it's been over a week now so surely it would be gone by now! Yesterday afternoon I had a few glasses of wine at my mother in laws and funnily enough the pain wasn't there at all. When I woke up this morning bam it was back and I had a major panic attack. I'm trying to keep my mind away which is obviously what I done yesterday chatting and having some wine but today I can't seem to think about it and be aware

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 25/07/2022 15:03

Sounds like anxiety if it went after a couple of glasses of wine.

Try relaxation, mindfulness etc.

Antares444 · 26/07/2022 15:53

I'm not a doctor but my dad had stomach cancer and I assure you his symptoms were completely different. It sounds more like IBS, my mom and sister have it and their symptoms match yours.
If it will help you feel better you should see a doctor, of course. I suffer from health anxiety and I understand your fear very well. All the times I panicked they couldn't find anything, I'm almost persona non grata in the local ER :) There is a book that helped me a lot and I'm doing much, much better: Worried Sick? the Exaggerated Fear of Physical Illness by Fredric Neuman. He uses real life situations and cases where people thought they had cancer or they were dying and I felt so identified with them. It has a workbook too. It changed my life completely and although I still worry, it's nothing like before.

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 27/07/2022 22:11

I seem to be worse in the morning after I've done the toilet and it lasts a few hours. Also have pain in my lower back but I can feel myself tensing up my whole body so not sure if that's why. If I can completely take my mind off it I actually forget about it and there isn't any pain.

OP posts:
Antares444 · 28/07/2022 09:31

Mummyto2123 · 27/07/2022 22:11

I seem to be worse in the morning after I've done the toilet and it lasts a few hours. Also have pain in my lower back but I can feel myself tensing up my whole body so not sure if that's why. If I can completely take my mind off it I actually forget about it and there isn't any pain.

If the symptoms disappear when you forget about them, then it's all stress/anxiety related. That's what my GP always tells me. She says that when there is a real health issue the symptoms don't go away at all, they're constant. I think you need to go out, forget about all the worries, enjoy the weekend... (I know, easier said than done).

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 10/08/2022 16:10

Well I've been fine really for over a week then this week I've been anxious after having alcohol on Sunday and the feeling is back. So I'm hoping it is just the anxiety and nothing else

OP posts:
Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 11/08/2022 14:36

I'm back to worrying after being ok!! Had a bit of constipation last night then this morning it was constipation and normal poo mixed? I've also had tummy pain all day like a stitch and cramp

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/08/2022 14:43

What on earth makes you think you have bowel cancer? People have different types of poos depending on what they've eaten/ drank.

See your GP to discuss how to cope with anxiety.

lomotree · 11/08/2022 14:47

Hello, I understand where you are coming from but I think all the other people who posted are right....I was sick recently from (covid) and it took me a while to get out of it...long covid...but what helped a lot was rest and relaxation - and not worrying - try and live in the present moment ... there was a doctor caller DR John Sarno who wrote about the connection between the mind and the body and how the mind can trigger a lot of symptoms - stomach pains, back pains - you can check it out - Dr Sarno The Mind Body Prescription.... Also think positive..

lomotree · 11/08/2022 14:48

I think there has been a lot of stuff regarding bowel cancer in the media recently so that can trigger your mind to start thinking you had it- but think the symptoms would be a lot different