worried about colon issues.

[Goodfather2016]

hello guys, I’ve got a lot to run over. I’ve recently had bowel changes over the last year. Some red spotting very small on toilet paper. I’ve had hemorriods before and did a fecal test and no blood was found in my poop. I deal with constipation and feeling like I have to go but can’t sometimes or just constipated pellets come out. I usually have a bowel movement a day. Usually in the morning. It’s not hard or lumpy, it’s kind of soft and jagged. I’ve had mid back pain as well, usually when I’m laying down on my back, or left side. I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety so I know that doesn’t help my gut health. My mother who had passed of stage 4 lung cancer was first diagnosed with stage 3 colon at the age of 52. I’m a worrier to begin with so this scares me. I’m 30 years old now. I’m pretty active in my working out life, I’ve recently tried to eat a little healthier, and I take probiotics as well as counseling to try and help with my gut health. I’ve told my doctor about my concerns, so he started with the ultrasound and nothing was found. Everything looked good. Went to chiropractor and needed some minor alignment but overall needed minor adjustments. I kept telling my doc my worries and my home life is pretty stressful relationship wise to where I feel like it may effect me. 8yrs together and two kids but people on the outside have been telling me I don’t look too happy or asking if I’m happy and okay. I try to make things work and try to balance things out. My doc referred me to a GI and he recommended a low fod map diet. And to incorporate fiber supplements. Which I have been doing. I still have a bowel movement once a day or once every two days but today I saw a streak of bright red blood (very small) and faint. And it’s been a while since I’ve seen it. I just continue to get worried and don’t know if it’s my stress or what that is causing me to feel this way. I do still have the mid dull back ache when I lay on my back at times but not all the time. Idk if it’s sciatica or a slipped disk that causes this. At one time in 2020 of Dec I had returned to the gym after taking a while off and I thought I could do the same weight on squat and then felt a pop in my back/stomach area to where it was a burning stiff pain for about 30min straight to an hr. I just iced it and laid down and took the week off to heal. Idk if my pain stems from that or any other causes. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Everybody tells me I look young and in shape but sometimes I don’t feel like I am. I’m 5’10” and weigh around 155-168. Fluctuating weight. Normally now I weigh 165 and haven’t gone down much in a while. Please let me know if any of you have any suggestions or insights on what I could be dealing with or what I should do.

thank you guys, and have a blessed day!

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Goodfather2016,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I'm sorry that these symptoms are causing you anxiety. And I'm sorry to hear about your mother. 52 is a very young age.

With lung and colon cancer on your mother's side, have you had some genetic testing to determine if there is a hereditary thing going on in your family? You are young, but this is something has no age limits. Don't let them tell you you're too young to do this. Every family with a cancer patient should know this. I believe if you knew this, it would put your mind at ease somewhat. It would also go a long way as far as your family is concerned. If you are a candidate for a hereditary cancer, then your kids should be tested as well. It's very good knowledge to have.

You said you have experienced some back aches and what may be more blood in your stool showing up. It would definitely not hurt to take another FIT test. That is definitely a sign to get checked out. Sometimes it's what you eat or change in your diet. I do a lot of cycling and moved to fruit punch flavor and all of the sudden my stool was red. I backed off mixed lime with it and the issue went away. So it stays a consistent problem, I'd get it checked out. There are some home test kits you can do for FIT as well.

Personally, I ignored many signs in my family. I had two cousins pass away from stage 4 colon cancer at very young ages ... 35 & 41. That was early '90s and it never got to me to get checked out. In 2012 I ended up having stage 4 colon cancer and my first colonoscopy. I should have had one in the early 90s. I got genetic testing right away and it was hereditary and everyone on my father's side of the family had to get tested. I have what's called Lynch Syndrome. All were negative except for one of may father's sisters and it was her two children that passed away. I was in excellent shape about the same as you and exercised a lot. I had a small abdominal lump that was getting tender ... boom. I ignored a lot of signs. I now go through a lot of annual screening to catch anything that may pop up ... early.

As far as gut issues, there has to be some tests you could do to see what may be going on. There are so many things that could be causing that.

I glad to see you do get things checked out when you see symptoms. We do wish you the very best in finding out what's happening. Please keep us up on what you find out as it could help others as well.

Thank You,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - 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.

[Astroneul]

hi, i am experiencing the symptoms ur experiencing. Do u have any updates?