is this colon cancer? i’m 22 and have been treated for quite some time now with antibiotics (penicillin for an untreated strep infection)

[djubb3]

about 6 or so months ago in my last semester at college i started noticing some right side pain. keep in mind the year before i was treated for 7 months for this strep infection (high aso titre in my blood which is essentially strep antibodies) basically felt like i never got right from the original illness that i did not not take the antibiotics for because i had mono at the same time this urgent said i tested positive via rapid strep test. i totally forgot about the strep because of the mono which then left me this post-streptococcal disorder that only seemed to have gotten better with the penicillin injections i was receiving. At that time i was never told to get on any kind of probiotic or about any of the warnings on what long term antibiotic use can do to your gut. fast word to around january 2022 i start having this ride side pain which kind of radiated from my groin, all the way around to my right butt cheek, into my right thigh, as well as next to my belly button and in my back. i went to the doctor for possible appencitis and realized i didn’t have any of that and just ended up kinda chalking it up for another potential problem from my infection i was already dealing with. Around that time i had a couple bloody wipes but never any diarrhea or constipation or any other bowel movement issues and stool issues worth noting. The pain kind of subsided for a some months, but during that time I was feeling more unwell and i wasn’t exactly sure what was going on. i started seeing my GP to start getting some bloodwork etc… to make sure that infection never ended up doing anything to the rest of me. I kept feeling sick so I started seeing another infectious disease doctor to get back on the antibiotics because previously when i was on them i felt awesome and my blood markers for the strep reacted positively. At around this time before i started taking the penicillin again, I noticed my anxiety was very bad and my cortisol levels were pretty high. I started to develop some acid reflux and tension headaches which they clearly pointed to increased anxiety and or the stress that body was under the infection combined with anxiety. I got on lansoprazole for the GERD and possible esoph ulcers for about 2 weeks and things started to subside. I am not diagnosed with cushings or anything like that. I would characterize the “sickly” symptoms as classic anemic like symptoms, but my red blood cells etc. always showed up fine on my CBCs. For some reason they never sent lab work in to check my iron levels… About a week after I got done with the PPI (protein pump inhibitor, “Lansoprazole” for the acid reflux/GERD symptoms) I started noticing some changes in bowel movements. For a few days my poop was covered in mucus. At this point, I’m feeling very sickly with terrible right side pain, temperatures that stay over 99 but below 100, and am now severely bloated with constipation and some weight loss. I’m very concerned that I may have some kind of colon cancer. I have not had any stool tests done yet, but am seeing a gastro doc tomorrow so I’m imaging he will order a bunch of tests. If the community has anything for me please let me know. I can also link whatever photos seem necessary to give more detail. I’m sorry for the long message, also I know i’m 22 and I shouldn’t be worried about these things but with the symptoms that have presented and my anxiety it’s been very very rough recently.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi djubb3,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I'm sorry that these symptoms are causing you anxiety. You have a lot going on. I'm glad to see you are getting this checked out by your doctor. You'll probably get a FIT test to check for blood in the stool. It's the abdominal pain that may require a colonoscopy to completely check out. You are definitely doing the right things to get this checked out. There can be many reasons for what you are experiencing that won't be a cancer concern. But getting it checked out is the way to go.

Yes, you are young. But that should not be a reason to not have things checked. You should focus on getting the answers. I think you are all over this and determined to do that. It will go a long way to alleviate you anxiety.

I wish you the very best in getting some answers today from your gastro doctor. Please let us know what you find out.

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.