I have now had looser stools for just under 3 weeks. Mainly in the morning he stools is formed but with mush around it. Later stool can be smaller but not accompanied by mush, also still only going twice a day maybe 3 times which is normal for me. There is also more noticeable food like Blueberry skin, Carrots and oats or sweetcorn at times in looser part of stool. I took Imodium on Monday and up until this morning have had much more normal stools. Also taking Mebeverine for stomach aches and gas building up (at times can feel it below belly button and can massage it out). Should I be taking more Imodium? are Mebeverine best bet? Before these last few weeks I suffered on and off for 2 months with Constipation which I got under control and the spot bleeding from straining, normal bloods, fit test etc. Saw Colorectal specialist yesterday who referred me for a non urgent Colonoscopy which could be months away, felt a bit cheated, only saw me for ten mins privately hardly listened or offered anything other than very very unlikely to be Bowel Cancer, did examine me etc all normal. Does anyone get looser stools for this long etc, how did you cure them?
Loose Stools advice.: I have now had... - Colon Cancer Conn...
Loose Stools advice.
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Hello Daveo1410 ,Thank you for posting. I'm sorry you'll have to wait on the non-urgent colonoscopy. Are you in the UK? We are hearing from many that the ability to get a colonoscopy through NHS is delayed and some are going private (which I understand is expensive).
It may be worth it to ask your doctor if there are other alternatives, for instance, a CT colonography, would the waitlist be shorter for that? You still have to do the prep but it is a CT scan of your bowel, and there's no sedation. In my opinion, the only downside is that if there is something they need to investigate further or remove, like polyps, you'll have to get a regular colonoscopy.
However, at that point, if there was something that they found via CT colonography, maybe you would be able to be seen sooner?
Are you able to see another gastroenterologist? If you didn't feel that your concerns were taken seriously and that all your questions were answered, be your own health advocate and seek out another doctor. Your health is your #1 priority and we support you getting a second opinion.
Please keep us updated.
~Nicole @ GCCA
Hi Nicole, yes I’m in the UK. I understand I could be waiting 6-9 months for a Colonoscopy as the specialist said it was routine. I think to have this privately is roughly £3000. The guy I saw was the clinical Director for the area I live in but from going in to examining me I was in there for no longer than 10 mins. I paid privately to see him as well. I have asked about the CT Colonoscopy but I’m sure CT scans are the same. I have another blood test Wednesday for Celaic as well as normal bloods so interesting to see if my B12 and blood counts are normal. But not sure I have anywhere else to go really, after 9 months it would have been a year since my bowel first changed. Our NHS is in danger of collapsing here currently
Hi Daveo1410 ,We have several members in this community living in the UK - some have opted to wait, others have gone private - and I might be wrong on this but I recall several people saying about 1,000 to get a colonoscopy private.
Glad to hear you have blood tests coming up this week.
If you are experiencing symptoms, the sooner you can get a colonoscopy the better. If tests that are being performed are coming back as abnormal, I wonder if that means there is a chance to increase the urgency of getting the scope scheduled? Although unfortunately, several community members here have waited with severe symptoms, for several months.
Let me do some outreach, has been on my to-do list, to see if there are any assistance programs in the UK for going private to get a colonoscopy. We have some great programs in the US, but I'm seeing a concerning trend for those in the UK that need to get checked out.
Please do keep us posted and I'll update you back with any of my findings.
~Nicole @ GCCA
If the bloods come back abnormal especially Anaemia I would think that will increase the urgency. Saying that apart from just discomfort in lower stomach I don’t have any bad cramping or bleeding so also don’t want to jump the que when people may need it more urgent than me. Care in US is excellent I have had treatment there before as my in-laws live in Orlando. Brill thank you 
So after lookin into it more, a regular Colonoscopy they're booking for August for routine appointments via the NHS, however the CT Colonoscopy only has a 5 week wait. The cost privately at my local hospital for a Colonoscopy is £1900 however with sedation etc its £2800. The cost of a private CT Colonoscopy is £977 which can only be done at the main hospital and again 5 weeks. Annoyingly as I want to have this version I have to go back to see the DR at the cost of £100 on the 14th of Jan to request having this. I didn't think it was an option until i read the info they give you to take home or would have asked then.
Hi Daveo1410 ,Just a note to say that I haven't forgotten about you - I have a few feelers out there and will be in touch on any potential assistance programs and other support for those waiting on colorectal cancer screenings in the UK. Thanks!
Im in the UK and had an NHS colonoscopy last month, I only waited 3 weeks for the appointment and there was no shortage of available slots, I have IBD so I'm already in the system which may have helped but generally my hospital is pretty quick. Obviously wait times differ depending on where you live so might be worth shopping around for shorter wait times then getting a referral to the hospital.The cost of a private colonoscopy in my area of Somerset is around £1,500 but again depends on which hospital you go to.
I think you should be slightly reassured if the colorectal surgeon you saw doesn't think you need an urgent scope but you also don't want to be waiting 6-9 months for it. I hope you can sort something out soon.
I’m In south Devon, my local hospital said there is a huge wait currently. I was initially referred to the NHS for the consultant and 3 months later I hadn’t got the appointment so decided to go private. I believe a CT Colonoscopy may be cheaper so may try and go down that route if I can.
Yeah I took it he wasn’t too concerned hopefully. It’s more the day to day discomfort and rubbish feeling I’m finding hard
Hi bantam12 ,
Thank you for sharing, that's great that you only had to wait 3 weeks. I agree that it is a good thing NOT to be on the urgent list, meaning they are less concerned, but waiting can also be so hard with wanting to get answers/peace of mind.
I hope your colonoscopy went well last month!
~Nicole @ GCCA
Any News? I have the same problem !
Stools went back to normal around Christmas time and have been fine since pretty much. Had 3 occasions of very minimal speckle of blood but a larger stool caused this. Stomach pain did calm down didn’t go and this week haven’t really had anything. I tried a probiotic linked to calming loose stools called Lactobacillus which I’m not sure if it helped but it didn’t hinder as diet didn’t really change. Maybe give that a try.
Hi Dave0140. Thanks for your feedback. I have the same problem as you! Only I have the problem for over a year. Bowel movements look like yours, plus I have a bloated belly all the time and feel the intestinal roll with air. I used to have extreme bowel sounds, bubbling, hissing down the left side of the bowel. Calprotectin and blood in stool test were negative. However, I once had light blood mixed with mucus on the toilet paper. And every now and then I still only have mucus that comes out. Would be happy if you report us how your result was at the colonoscopy. Greetings!
I never had the bloated belly only the stool and gassy stomach discomfort. My blood was always more centered in mucus and only freckle size, have you tried Sheriprotect for piles or been examined by doctor? Sorry the probiotic which helped me was called S Boulardii. Also worth having an intolerance test as the scope may tell you nothing major is going on but you need to help understand what's causing it, i no longer can have diary. I have a CT bowel scan in next 5/6 weeks hopefully. after my second specialist appointment this week now im back to normal said its almost certainly piles, and IBS i guess for the rest.
Could I get some input on these blood lines/streaks in my stool?
Advice Please
loose poops daily
Terrified.....
