Bowel issues - diagnosis worries

[CleoClara]

I had a couple of spells of IBS type symptoms in the summer with some streaks of blood on stools. Am
in my 50s and always had a “sensitive “ digestive system, but this was worse, with blood obviously being a concern too.
Gp did a range of blood / stool tests - all normal.

Symptoms have changed slightly- now normal to hard stools, back pain around tailbone but sometimes moving, and a few more steaks of blood.
I have been referred for an urgent colonoscopy next week. I’m normally quite a rational person but I have got in a complete state about what the diagnosis might be.

For context, DP has had a very serious diagnosis this year with treatment underway, and given the impact of that on our lives, I don’t feel I can talk to him or any of our support network about my concerns until and if they are proven to be serious.

I have therefore done too much googling, which I know I shouldn’t, and can now only think I will be diagnosed with cancer.

Can anyone give me any reassurance please - need to calm down to get through the next few days

Other main symptom is gas build up
during the day and then I’m farting all evening!

Hi @CleoClara, I experienced similar symptoms as you and my GP said he thought I might have IBD (inflammation levels were very slightly raised). Cue getting myself into a right old state over it and my urgent colonoscopy referral going missing (which meant the wait I had was 5 months in the end 😬)! Anyway, I had the colonoscopy at the end of September and my bowel was totally normal, no inflammation or otherwise (had a small benign polyp removed too). I’ve still no idea what the blood was or where it came from, my symptoms have been put down to IBS 🤷🏻‍♀️ I do suffer with anxiety and I find that this affects my stomach hugely so am now trying some probiotics to see if they help things. I hope that when you have your colonoscopy that if they do find something, it’s easily treatable ☺️ I’m still non the wiser on the tailbone pain, either! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Sound very much like symptoms I have for my ibd, was finally diagnosed at 36 after years of sensitive bowel issues. Blood was the trigger for me being fast tracked. I googled and put the fear of god into myself. Don’t get me wrong it’s not been easy and I did end up terribly unwell at this time last year which led to me being hospitalised, I pushed myself too far and too hard trying to keep going. Now I am on the right meds I can honestly say I live a relatively normal life, the fatigue is my biggest problem but nearly a year down the line I’d say I’m back to 90% of my former self.

Thank you so much for your replies @Sickandtiredofbeingsick and @WishIhadacrystalball
They have given me some reassurance that worst case scenario is not the only potential outcome and reduced my panic levels a little bit!

@CleoClara just wanted to join the thread as I am also having a colonoscopy Tuesday next week. Bit nervous and it’s ruining the run up to Xmas bit health is more important. Hopefully we will both get good news.

Good luck @Twins4M
Confess I have moved mine to the other side of Christmas. Given the awful we have had, I decided that a few more days was unlikely to make much difference compared to the impact of me having to tell family if there was any bad news. But I have felt more reassured after the kind posters above

I completely understand. I would move mine if I could but we have plans so wouldn’t be able to get it done until mid-January. You just have to do what is best for you.

I got myself in a right state over similar. Had stomach pain left side; loads of tests, traces of blood in poo found.

Preparation for colonoscopy MUCH worse than actual event. Props to my hospital for providing paper shorts to preserve some dignity! Turns out I have diverticular disease. I also had a polyp removed.

My GP said to me that she expected no more than 3 in 100 such referrals to return a sinister diagnosis to her. That I found the most reassuring. Plus my friend's uncle was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago and is fine [aged 75] after having that part of his bowel removed.

@TellingBone I have got myself into a right state as well. Not so much about the procedure as I had an endoscopy last month and I don’t remember a thing so I expect this to be similar just the other end.

Its results that scare me! I have anaemia and constipation and instances of blood when wiping, also have awful acid reflux , I did have a FIT which was negative so that gives me a bit of reassurance but still think what if!

Im glad yours turned out all ok and it’s very reassuring what the GP said to you.

One of my worries is the 35 minute drive to the centre will probably have to get a cab as my husband will be picking me up and I’m hoping I don’t need the toilet on the way after the prep!

I had lots of similar symptoms. Doctors were worried. Had my colonoscopy last month and just had the biopsy results. No tumours were found on the day and biopsies are benign. I'm 35. Glad I was listened to tbh! Worried me for weeks though

I used to work in this field. Now obviously there is a possibility of cancer and you’re absolutely right to get it checked out - but there are many other more likely causes including IBD, polyp(s) (which grow slowly and although can turn into cancer are usually caught early), diverticular disease and piles! Most places will give you the results there and then and if any treatment is required, they will try to do it immediately or explain the next steps.

As others have said, most people find the prep the most challenging part. Make sure you drink plenty of water and have soft loo roll in! Good luck, hope all is well.

@strawberryandcreams glad it hear it turned out alright in the end. Also excellent they listened to you. I’m lucky enough to be using my private healthcare as the gp just kept saying the anemia was due to periods but they aren’t heavy so I’m not convinced.

@ThisWormHasTurned thank you for your reply. It’s good to know there can be many other causes. It’s easy to forget the cause is much more likely to be something else. If I didn’t get it checked I wouldn’t be able to stop worrying so best just to get it out the way and hope for the best!

Thank you - I really appreciate the reassurance from other posters, and the empathy from others waiting for tests.

Interestingly, my symptoms have reduced this week following the reassuring messages which suggests there is an anxiety component to my digestive issues, albeit not the blood in stools. I am not normally an anxious person but this year has clearly impacted on my health.

So at least I am feeling better heading towards Christmas and then I will know more after the colonoscopy

Thanks again

Don’t rule out possibility of coeliac disease. I was plagued with bowel and gas problems for years but turns out I have it. Especially if you’re anaemic too. Good luck.

I have bile acid malabsorption [BAM ] and the symptoms are very similar to you, apart from the blood. I was told I had ibs for years, but it turned out to be BAM.
I too was referred for an urgent colonoscopy due to being anaemic and a family history of cancer and crohns disease. This was when I found out it was BAM.

My son has crohns disease and the same symptoms. Good luck with your scopes. You should be fine getting to the hospital, you should be well cleared out by then. My son has had many scopes and it has never been an issue driving to the hospital.

I have IBD and it's by no means a death sentence! I take medication and steer clear of trigger foods and I'm fine. It took 2 years for my diagnosis though and those 2 years were hell - incontinence, severe pain, spending hours each day glued to the loo..... my life is much better now post diagnosis / medication.

The main thing to focus on is getting the preparation right. If it isn't done correctly, the doctor can't see anything, and you get no result. So you end up having to wait for a couple of months and then do the whole thing again. Do everything to the nth degree - if the instructions say " low fibre diet for 3 days" do it for 6 days . If they say to have clear fluids for 24 hours, go 48 hours. And make sure to drink all of that horrible prep solution in the time frame given. It's not the nicest thing in the world, but if you don't get this right, you'll be doing it again in the new year. Good luck !

I've got a colonoscopy this coming week and I'm petrified. Main complaint was flatulence, sometimes 'wet', changeable bowel habits and when GP did a digital examination she said she could feel a polyp. I don't have pains or cramps though I have a sensitive digestion and am intolerant of various things.

Did those of you who've had a colonoscopy have sedation and does it knock you out? The prep sounds horrendous, can you drink coke does anyone know? I was told mixing lemon cordial with the mixture and drinking it chilled helps. The doctor said the mix was salty, must be odd trying to drink tea and coffee too. I feel so anxious I can't imagine sleeping the night before either. Tbh it all sounds like medieval torture! 🙄

You're not usually knocked out for a colonoscopy, no. A local is usually used.

Definitely don't drink coke. Just hold your nose and get through the mixture. I ate a few clear and yellow coloured haribo gummy bears the day before which helped stave off the hunger.

Also don't drink tea or coffee!!! Your colon needs to be clear!!!

I am a colonoscopy connoisseur. You can drink coke can drink tea or coffee but without milk - although I often put a splash in.

get a straw to drink liquid down. Keep it ice cold. Have a chaser. It’s not fun but it’s not the end of the world.

Also request gas and air rather than sedation as you can leave much quicker. You can also watch it on the screen which is super super interesting

I had sedation which was helpful. Each time I have had one, I was told not to drink Coke or any dark coloured liquids so I would double check with your doctor. I was only allowed water and pale squash.

You shouldn’t drink liquids with red colouring in as it can mimic blood but coke is fine

@notsosoftanymore good luck. I’ve had to move mine to 3rd of January due to childcare issues. I had an endoscopy in November and I had the sedation and I don’t remember a thing. I know it has different affects on everyone but it completely knocked me out! Let us know how you get on.