Anxiety

[Brightman79]

Hi all. I am pretty anxious right now. I’ve had some constipation issues over the last few months and my doctor referred me to a gastro who has scheduled me for a colonoscopy on June 23rd. I’m a bit nervous. In the past, i used to notice bleeding every now and then but was always told it was most likely hemorrhoids or fissures. It’s been about 4-5 years since I’ve had any type of bleeding. From what I gather, colon cancer bleeding doesn’t just go away and usually gets worse. Nevertheless, I am still very nervous. I also have a long history of anxiety disorder and am very good at taking the worst possible scenario (Colon Cancer that has spread to my liver in this case) and making it the only plausible outcome. I’m not sure exactly what I am wanting by posting this, but maybe get it off of my chest.

[Brightman79]

No I haven’t. I thought about it, but I figured if I am having a colonoscopy, there’s no point in having that too.

[Brightman79]

I have a family history of colon cancer so my doctor and I decided it was the best course of action.

[Cm81]

Hey. Looks like you and me are in a very similar situation. I’m 40, had symptoms for 9 months but pushed away by GP (too young) without even a blood test or FiT, so I went private. Bleeding from haemorrhoids on and off for years, but recently it’s been continuous with other stuff too, I won’t TMI, but I check most of the boxes and the fatigue is intense. That said, I also have an anxiety disorder so, prone to overthinking things even if lately the anx has been low. Like you I also accepted that it is already cancer and likely stage 4 due to the symptoms…. Wrote my will and started making plans for my death. I wonder if it will prove to be worthwhile or a terribly foolish waste of my time haha. It’s almost funny if it wasn’t so morbid.Here’s hoping for improved screening in the future so fewer people have to not fight so hard to get screened. And to both of our results

[Brightman79 in reply to Cm81]

I have terrible anxiety. I’ve convinced myself that I must have liver metastasis and since so poke on my side enough to check, now it is sore from doing that. It’s a non ending saga.

[Cm81 in reply to Brightman79]

It’s good to talk it out sometimes I don’t know about you and your anxiety experience, I think sometimes people think I’m looking for attention but honestly I’m just scared and trying to vent worry, it can be a scary and lonely experience, I would much rather not have the anxiety/worry. Fingers crossed for a good result for us both

[Worriednanxious in reply to Cm81]

Hey cm81 what was your colonoscopy result ?

[VanessaGhigliotty]

In all honesty, because you have a family histroy of colon cancer, your anxiety is well founded. I would reccommed seeing a gatro and asking for a colonoscopy. If you are having change in bowel movements, abdominal [ain, bloating, fatigue, blood in stool or nausea, then let the gastroenterologist immediately.