I need a sounding board/advice

[leavemebreatheless]

I need to get this off my chest and could probably do with some advice.

Background - been feeling very tired with dizziness for months, I've lost a couple of stone without trying, I'm severely anemic (hb 7 ferritin 8), low in folic acid, ers and crp extremely high both in high 80 for over 6 months, I'm 39.

Had colonoscopy yesterday, they found a polyp in the rectum that was too large and painful to remove under the light sedation I was under yesterday and said I will have to come back to have it removed under a full anaesthetic in about 4/5 weeks.

I've been passing a little bright red blood for months maybe even a couple of years and have on occasion had a burst of blood pass into my underwear. I thought I had a hemorrhoid because I could feel a lump near my anus and wasn't worried. I've also noticed mucus in the stool. Now I'm freaking, so worried. The nurse yesterday said that the doctor said looking at the polyp that he didn't think it was cancerous, I don't find that particularly reassuring.

Am I right to be worried? What should I do to address this, make a gp appointment?

[Hanneesweedie]

I’m not sure they’ll know for sure what’s going on until they remove the polyp, I’m no expert though. If you feel it would help you to talk to someone and ask for advice/see if they can do anything, I think you should go to the gp, can’t see any disadvantage to it personally. I think it’s totally natural to be worried in a situation like this, but I hope it’s reassuring in a way that you are closer to answers than before. I’m sorry I don’t have any other advice, but stay strong and take care of yourself! Waiting for medical things is never fun, I’d recommend trying to distract yourself with some positive activities. I know this probably isn’t much help but wanted you give you a response! ❤️

[leavemebreatheless in reply to Hanneesweedie]

Thanks for the reply, I suppose I know there isn't any answers for the moment. I needed to get my worries out of my head, everyone in my life are glass half full people and aren't great as sounding boards.

[Hanneesweedie in reply to leavemebreatheless]

I can totally understand the worry! Although nothing has been found yet I’ve been having all sorts of issues and health is such a big thing that when you have concerns it can weigh on your mind almost constantly! It’s alright for other people to be positive but it’s your body and I find the unknown is sometimes the worst part.

[Flossy2008]

Hi leave me breathless, I’m sorry I can’t give any advice. I didn’t want to read and run tho!

I too had a ferritin of 9 and my main symptom was breathlessness ie taking a shower or reading aloud were taking my breath away. I paid for a private iron transfusion as I was struggling to get through the day. I passed dark blood clots and mucous in my stools in June but only recently went the the gp about it, as I passed some brighter blood more recently. I’m currently on a wait list for a colonoscopy but I’ve been told it will be around 6 weeks.

My grandad died of bowel cancer when I was a newborn which only adds to my worry.

I can completely see why you are worried but the nurses words do sound reassuring. Fingers crossed for you!

[leavemebreatheless in reply to Flossy2008]

Thanks for the reply and I'll look into getting a private infusion, hadn't thought of that. It would be a great help to get my iron levels up, one thing less to have to contend with. Hope you get some answers soon and a positive outcome

[Flossy2008 in reply to leavemebreatheless]

Thanks, you’ll probably get one on the nhs, I didn’t as they said it was my periods causing low iron (looking like they were incorrect now) but obviously their main concern for you is removing the polyp but being in the best condition ie with optimal ferritin and Hb BEFORE the op is much better in my opinion. You could ask your gp about it? Or if you are in the uk you can search for the “The iron clinic” they are based in London so was a long journey for me and not cheap - however they are not making lots of profit. They are consultant led so no need for a referral via a doctor. I feel a million times better since having it and the staff are very passionate about what they do.

[Hobbyhorse]

Hiya

I have a few health problems. Fibromyalgia my main one, Arthritis, Psoriasis, and IBS. I lost my benefits a year ago and have been under a lot of stress. I had to go to court and thankfully got them back.

I had cancer 29 yrs ago when my son was born and only by a few flukes did I survive.

The reason I'm writing this is because I've gone from 9st to 7st 5lbs over the last year. In January my dr did send me for an Endoscopy where they found Barratts Eosophagus with cancer cells. So all year my doctors just kept saying my weight loss was due to stress, my IBS, and the Barratts.

Now my stress has gone, I'm having my last treatment for the Barratts, but my IBS is worse.

Blood tests showed I was a little anemic so I was given iron tablets. But I'm still losing weight. My doctors panicked a bit because it looked as though they had missed something. Under a microscope they found blood in my stools. After an emergency appointment yesterday I've to have an in depth scan of my torso and a colonoscopy in the next two weeks.

My advice to you ( because I am as worried as you ) is to see your doctor ASAP with all of the symptoms you have. Talk to someone you know will listen, because holding all your fears and worry will not help you. You need to share all your feelings with someone. It really does help. But also try to get through each day with something to occupy your mind.

But most importantly if you think things are going too slow, keep on at your doctor about it. They do miss things because they don't always look at the bigger picture.

I wish you all the best and try if you can to not think the worst. It's not easy as I'm finding myself

God Bless