Handhold for bowel issues

[MabelMoo23]

Have commented on a couple of threads but thought would be better to start my own as definitely needing a handhold.

I’ve been suffering from rectal bleeding for a while now. In fact it actually started before covid, in Feb 2020 - just the odd bit of blood on toilet paper and constant diarrhoea. Saw GP, but fit test was negative. Then of course March 2020… well we know how that goes. The GP just told me to keep an eye on it and said probably just IBS

still had it on and off over last couple of years, but recently it’s ramped up, and had a really bad rectal bleed. I actually got confused and thought my period had started but nope. Finally saw GP properly, he had a look and said no piles or fissures and wanted to refer me under 2 week wait pathway for a colonoscopy. However where I live, 2 week waits are utterly shambolic but very lucky I’m on my husbands private health insurance.

went to see consultant, he read the referral from GP, and told him my symptoms and he got me booked for colonoscopy the following week.

that was a couple of weeks ago, but it failed, apparently my bowel is twisty and loopy and even though I was sedated, they just couldn’t really get much past the rectum. I don’t remember any of this by the way, was away with the fairies - and by sound of it, am very very relieved I was away with said fairies.

anyway I’ve now got a CT colonography on Wednesday and I’m scared to death - not of the CT scan, but what they’ll find. Really really frightened. I have two young children, and it being bowel cancer is literally all I can think about.
I really don’t feel well as it is, Constantly exhausted, I’ve lost 6kg since January, stomachache, mouth ulcers, I just want to sleep as so exhausted. But I’m so scared.

Someone else wrote on another thread that people said “don’t worry, it’s probably not cancer” and that you feel so dismissed. I couldn’t agree more. I know people say it as they don’t know what to say and want to be positive, but actually I’m scared and want to talk about it, not have my fears dismissed because they don’t know what to say

so thought I’d share here. I’m hoping the gastrografin is less horrific than the moviprep for the colonoscopy

You poor thing that sounds scary. I know how overwhelming it can be to go through an invasive medical procedure (I have Crohn's) and to be fearful of what they might find once they're in there.

I have no answers but I can offer a hand hold. I find it helpful to try and focus on the next step and remember the people doing the investigation, do it all the time.

It's hard not to worry but there's little you can do until you know more. Be kind to yourself which might mean being patient with yourself and your feelings. 💐

We chatted on another thread about our respective digestive issues.

it’s horrible waiting for tests and results. I’m due results tmw morning from a small bowel mri (btw I had to drink another litre of moviprep beforehand and had diarrhoea for the next 3-4 days but not until
i got home after. i was not warned it’d last that long 😱) - they’re testing for chrons but the symptoms don’t really fit. I am also worried that I have a small intestine issue as I had problems and operations with it as a baby but nothing since age of about 2 and I’m in my 50s now.
My thoughts have gone to a very bad place over the past few weeks so you have my mega sympathies. You can’t help but think the worst even if it’s not logical.
will you get the results on the day or have to wait? I def prefer an immediate result!

Thank you both - even if it’s crohns I’m worried about that too, simply because I’m fully aware the IBD has it’s own issues.

It’ll be the waiting after the CT scan too - am really hoping as being done privately that it won’t take long

All my investigations are private too and it’s still taking a while to get through all the tests and appts! It’s been six weeks since I initially saw the gastro.
i dread to think what the nhs wait would’ve been.

Have just had my gastrografin, whilst it was a bit bleurgh, it was nowhere near as horrific as moviprep, also the fact that I only had to have 100ml (and another 100ml tomorrow night) also meant it was easier.

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Even if it turns out to be nothing serious it doesn’t take away from the constant worry and dread you might be feeling now.

you do have symptoms of bowel cancer so can understand why you are worried it is not a fun feeling. But if it is that it is very treatable.

fingers crossed that your results are the best they can be.

That sounds very worrying. I’m glad you have access to private healthcare because as you say, NHS waiting lists are awful!

The best thing is to know what’s going on so although the procedure will be anxiety inducing, knowing means you can take those all important next steps.

DH is in hospital recovering from a bowel obstruction and we were initially told it was almost certainly cancer so I did some googling. I believe treatment is excellent for bowel cancer and prognosis generally very good.

I had a different cancer (cervical) when my dses were very little and following surgery, although it was a really tough time, I made a full recovery and I’m still here many years later so it can be okay.

I wish you all the best💐

Whilst I can't fully understand the symptoms I had to wait for cervical tests and do fully understand the worry they stress and the tears of waiting for results xx

Just sending big hugs and hated people saying "oh it's common, you'll be fine"

Thank you everyone.

I’m absolutely starving and daydreaming about the massive KFC I’m going to have as soon as I get home tomorrow. Wouldn’t normally have a KFC but it’s the closest drive thru to my house and I’m not cooking when I get home!!

had lime jelly and full fat coke for breakfast. Lemonade is still a bit hit and miss after the moviprep 🤮

nurse was right, gastrografin definitely less aggressive - although it makes you very gurgly in the tummy / bowels. Whilst you aren’t permanently plonked on the loo like with the moviprep, you are still up and down like nobodies business

can’t believe I’ve still got more than 24 hours before I can eat….

@MabelMoo23 - good luck with the rest of the prep.
i had my gastroenterologist appt today and all results were clear!
as I’m still getting reflux I’m going back on omaprazole and he’ll review in two months. - if I can’t come off it he’ll do a gastroscopy - I really hope it doesn’t come to that. He said he’s not unduly worried.
he’s basically putting it all down to post covid.

@MabelMoo23
I know this is an old thread , and I do hope you are better now, but I could have written your post nearly word for word so hoping you see this. I also had a failed colonoscopy 10days ago as they could not get the camera round although they are unsure why. I am booked for ct colonography and am much more scared for some reason! The colonoscopy was so painful, even though I had all the sedation and painkillers and the fact they do not sedate for the ct is terrifying to me. Did they find out what was causing your symptoms? I do hope you are sorted by now