I am 27 years old and I am dealing with a crippling amount of anxiety. I have a colonoscopy scheduled a month from now and I can’t even fathom waiting that long in my current state. Here is my story: I have been a heavy drinker for the better part of a decade so Diarrhea has become normal to me. I had a colonoscopy 7 years ago (when I was 20) due to chronic diarrhea and loose stools that varied in color. The doctor was not concerned about cancer and was mainly wanting to rule out inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions. According to the report the colonoscopy was completely normal, no polyps noted. The doc never mentioned polyps. One of the many things that is bothering me is remembering another doctor from the same hospital later mentioning that there were some polyps, which contradicts the report that I received from the hospital that was made by the doctor who performed the colonoscopy. So confusing. I didn’t think anything of it then as I didn’t even know what a polyp was at the time. Hoping he had me mixed up with a different patient. Fast forward 7 years and here I am having terrifying symptoms. I’ve consistently had stools that are thinner than normal Or flat for about 2-3 years which I just dismissed because I was under the impression that as long as I don’t see blood I should be fine. I’ve had frequent episodes of bad diarrhea that becomes very painful after the 2nd and 3rd trip to the toilet. About a month ago from today, I woke up after a night of drinking and headed to the bathroom where I pushed out 2 ridiculously small strings of stool. This is when I started googling my symptoms. When google said cancer, I freaked out and started monitoring my stools Hyperactively. I stopped drinking and on the third day of not drinking I found a significant amount of blood in my stool. I immediately went to the doctor and explained my symptoms and long story short he said probably just hemorrhoids but get a colonoscopy. I know that I’ve had external hemorrhoids before and can only assume I’ve had internal hemorrhoids as well, especially with my frequent bouts of intense diarrhea. He said to take psyllium so I got Metamucil. At first it seemed to be working. It definitely made my stool look thicker than I’ve seen it in years, but still irregularly shaped. After seeing the blood streaked stool that night, I had a fairly identical bowel movement the following morning. I have not seen another like that for about a month since then. Blood tests normal aside from liver function which my doctor said is due to my heavy drinking. The picture is of my bowel movement this morning. All I ate yesterday was a salad which I ate with a dose of Metamucil. I’ve been too anxious to eat. My stools are always so scary looking and based on all the research I’ve been doing, I’m convinced I have cancer. I’m so scared that if it’s true it is likely too late.
Terrified of colon cancer. Anyone wit... - Colon Cancer Conn...
Terrified of colon cancer. Anyone with similar story?
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Hi Jordan. So sorry to hear about what you are going through. You are very young for colon cancer from what I understand. I am a recovering alcoholic. I just got 40 years in without a drink. I quit at 30. I had Hep C and was cured when I was about 50. My Hep C Dr said that everyone over 50 should have a colonoscopy. She gave me one and I had 4 polyps which she zapped. She said that 2 were the kind that could turn into cancer, and had me come back in a year. After a year she said I had 2 tiny pimples and she zapped them and said come back in 3 more years. 3 years later, nothing. 5 more years, nothing. She said to come back in 7 now. But it was after 4 years when I had those stools. Try not to freak yourself out although I know it's hard. I had to wait 6 weeks for my colonoscopy and I was freaking too as I recall. I had my cancer removed along with my rectum. The rectum is just a wider part of the colon, not to be confused as I was with the anus. I thought they were the same thing. I also had 6 months of chemo and an ileostomy for a year. Even though my cancer was Type 3C which I thought sounded scary, I did not get radiation, only the chemo. Two of my cousins had this as well. Neither one needed am Ileostomy, one had no chemo or radiation and the other had both. Both guys are just fine. I don't believe that colon cancer is a big killer. My chemo was as easy as pie. I never even felt sick for a minute. Even my ileostomy was not that bad. Believe it or not the worst part of my entire experience was getting used to food after my ileostomy was reversed. I now feel healthier than I have in 30 or more years and I weigh 65 pounds less.
I know it's hard but try to relax. This will pass. If you do have cancer, I think it is a very common one that is quite easily treatable. When I told a friend I had it he said "Hell is that all? I've known a dozen people that had it and not one died".
Good luck and please keep me updated
Hey Jordan have u done with ur colonoscopy
Hi! First sorry for my bad english. I was also too much worried about my symptoms, what was totally same like yours. Today i went to proctogolist. He checked me, and found that my 3 swollen hemorrhoids are making my all symptoms. I'm fine now. I hope you are ok too.
friend you feel the same symptoms to me my stools sometimes thin and sometimes I feel bad my part of abdominal but not too painful and not often. I haven't seen the dictor since expensive colonoscopy here in the Philippines
Hey Jordan did u get your results yet?
What was your results
Hey Jordan Some news ?
Hi Jordan would you mind if I ask you what were the results of the colonoscopy? I have been having the same symptoms for a month
Hi hope you’re ok. Having similar issues and wondered how you got on Jordan? Hope all went well and and you’re ok.
Sorry to heard about that. But from your picture I don't see any blood or abnormal stool?
I was also a heavy drinker for about 4 years I’d have 250-300 units of vodka weekly, about 50 a day. I’m 25 and have stomach pain, blood in my stool and I think mucus (I’ll attach a picture for reference)
I now drink a lot of energy drinks for maybe like 3-5 months and this is when my symptoms happen. My doctor thinks colitis from a telephone call and I’m praying that’s all it is. But in hinds sight we are both quite young so fingers crossed time is on our side and we just need to improve our gut health and diets!
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