Colon Cancer Anxiety?!

[Jay5511]

Hello,

Just thought I’d share what I’m going through atm to get some advice/reassurance.

I’m a 26 year old male from the UK. Slightly overweight and have no medical history or family history of colon cancer.

About 4 weeks ago, I started noticing my stools seemed flatter then normal and were easier to pass at this time I was wiping a lot and this caused some fresh blood on TP. I googled these and of course was met by colon cancer posts. This sent my anxiety through the roof and I ended up going to the GP. I had blood tests done all of which came back fine! 😊

However. My stool issues persisted. Urgent need to go in morning and it would feel softer and would be a lot flatter than normal (like a thick ribbon) I do occasionally have more well formed stools. However the majority of time it’s flat thick ribbons. I have been in touch with GP multiple times since and all times have reiterated its not cancer and is IBS. The blood is no longer there after switching to Wipes (2 weeks now)

However my urge to go and bowel movements are still changed. I do have occasional abdominal pains and back pains.

I’m just worried it could be something more serious than IBS. I don’t have any weight loss, anemia, loss of appetite, blood or fatigue.

I do have, urge to go, flatter stools, Frequent urination, a fair bit of gas, occasional abdominal and back pains.

I’m on Sertraline for my anxiety and Mebervine for the pains when needed.

Any advice would be helpful? Thanks

[Mariapalmer]

I personally don’t take sertraline as I refused but my friend is , it gave her the same kind of problems your experiencing.

[Jay5511 in reply to Mariapalmer]

Hi mariapalmer!

I had these issues before the Sertraline, I have seen that ‘loose stools’ can be a side effect of Sertraline though :/ - Just anxiety through the roof from the flat stools more than anything really! :/

[Mariapalmer]

Have you thought about asking your doctor to test your stool etc just to put your mind to rest?

[Jay5511 in reply to Mariapalmer]

I do have a follow up appointment on the 7th December at GP (mainly to do with anxiety as will need new prescription) however I will bring it up. I have took photos on phone that I will show them also! - so hopefully can have a stool test to ease my mind or find out if something’s going on!

[Mariapalmer]

Yeah it’s a good idea it’ll put your mind at rest for sure ! I hope it goes well! X

[Jay5511 in reply to Mariapalmer]

Thanks! I hope so! will update on here once have been!

[Jeff1943]

The stomach and bowels are the organ most affected by anxiety. This fact, your age and the diagnosis of your doctor after tests that it's IBS leaves little doubt it's not something sinister. If you're not convinced ask for another test or opinion but when that too says everything is fine you should accept it completely. Unfortunately you probably won't and will go on worrying that it's cancer because that's how most people with anxiety disorder respond.

I am going to suggest to you that you can't cure an illness you don't have. Instead concentrate on the illness you do have, anxiety disorder, and apply yourself to finding the road to recovery. My advice is to take a close look at the acceptance method for recovery as set out by Claire Weekes in her first book 'Self help for your nerves' available from Amazon and while waiting for that search YouTube for some of her talks on acceptance.

[Jay5511 in reply to Jeff1943]

Hi Jeff!

Yes I do agree I should listen to the doctor but my anxiety makes it extremely difficult to do so! :/

I will have a look at the stuff by Claire Weekes! Thanks for suggesting it!

Appreciate it thanks!