Please help me. What do I do??

[Scaredwxm]

23 year old female 28 weeks pregnant. Been experiencing blood in stool on and off about 5 time in 2 months. The other week I noticed a black part of the stool and it happened again the day after that, although I did eat a lot of steak the day before and blueberries. The other day I noticed some white mucus with my stool it hasn’t happened again. I also had bad abdominal cramping from what felt like trapped gas for a couple of hours and it hasn’t happened again. My GP preformed a DRE and saw an enlarged vein on my anus and felt some swelling on one side of my rectum wall and said it was most likely hemorrhoids. Although with all of these other symptoms I am freaking out I have colon cancer. I have a phone call appt with a GI specialist on Wednesday but I’m not sure what he’s going to say. I poop once a day and a few times it’s been loose but mostly just normal. Please someone give me advice my anxiety is killing me

[Love15]

Get the colonoscopy done . The only way to ease your tension and stress. Nothing will comfort you . I don’t think you got anything sinister

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Dear Scaredwxm ,Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I'm sorry that these symptoms are causing you anxiety.

As hard as it is, try to not let the anxiety get to you too much. (I know that it is a lot easier said than done!). Our GI systems are very sensitive to stress and anxiety and can make symptoms worse.

This site does not offer medical advice, but we are here to share our experience and offer our advice, but it should not replace speaking to your doctor. Again, when something seems "off" or you are experiencing bowel movements that are abnormal for you, it is important to be examined by a doctor.

I'm glad to read that you will be speaking with a GI specialist. Many times hemorrhoids, especially for those who are pregnant, are written off as the cause, and that's the end of the discussion. We encourage you to have a conversation with your specialist about what tests can be performed safely during your pregnancy. The anxiety that you are experiencing over the fear that it is colorectal cancer, can take a toll on your health. We want you healthy for your pregnancy and that includes reducing anxiety and stress in your life.

Many many people who post in our group are sure that they've got colon cancer, and thankfully, most of the time they do not. We do believe that if something is "off" it is very important to get it checked out. Sometimes that means changing Doctors. If you do not feel that your Doctor is taking your health concerns seriously, they may not be a good fit to be overseeing your medical care.

Please keep us posted, we are here for you!

~Nicole, GCCA Staff Member & Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Scaredwxm in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

I spoke with the specialist today and I’m scheduled for a flexible sigmoidoscopy next Thursday. He said if he doesn’t find anything then after I’m pregnant we’ll do a full colonoscopy. I’m very nervous though and not sure how I’ll be able to relax until then

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Scaredwxm]

Hi Scaredwxm ,I'm glad you'll be getting the flexible sigmoidoscopy next week. As hard as it is, try to not let the "what if's" get to you. You are doing all that you can, and it sounds like your doctor is being responsive. If you ever feel that your doctor isn't taking your health concerns seriously, you may wish to seek out a second opinion.

Seeking out a therapist may be helpful to deal with the anxiety you are experiencing.

You may also find this group on HealthUnlocked to be additional support: healthunlocked.com/anxiety-...

Please let us know how it goes on Thursday!

~Nicole @ GCCA