Trying not to worry

[_b71]

Hello, 1st time poster. I am a 51 (in 9 days) female. Suffer with IBS, PBC, osteoporosis, hiatus hernia, I am severely overweight which has happened in the last 3yrs. I take approx 35-40 tablets per day. This includes 4x omeprazole which is a lot!! However, i have lots of excess acid in my stomach and the acid reflux i get burns my throat to the point that i struggle to talk. Menopausal but unable to take HRT due to PBC.

I've struggled with my bowels for the last 15yrs. More recently my bowel habit has changed, I have embarrassingly had 2 occasions of soiling myself, my stools are mucousy (if that's a word), I go more often (was always the other way round), the consistency is like a Mr Whippy ice cream (sorry!). Last Tues after having a wee, I wiped front and back and found bright red blood plus a clot from back passage. The next toilet trip I opened my bowels aa little bit and again when I wiped there was bright red blood, a clot and mucous. Doc arranged a FIT test which I did on the tue. Results came back at 399.90. I saw these on my medical records on the Patient Access page before I had had a call from my GP. Obviously I googled as I had no clue what it meant all I knew was it said 0-9 is normal.

I am currently awaiting a colonoscopy as part of the 2week thing. Part of me is worried sick but part of me thinks it's nothing sinister. 🥺

Apologies for the long post.

[IzzyF1202]

Hi, I experienced something similar. Healthy 55 year old female, no health issues. For 2 months I've had blood in my stool, mucus and lots more toilet trips. Bloating, gassy tummy, pains left and right side and back ache. Generally feeling unwell. Got a full set of bloods done and a FIT test and living in the UK I was put on a 2 week pathway to ensure all tests would be done in this time frame. Bloods, no issues.. Fit test over 400. Got a CT contrast scan. Found a cyst on my right ovary getting an ultrasound next week to investigate further. Had a colonoscopy at the weekend and diagnosed with colitis and 2 x polyps were removed for further testing but surgeon said they look benign. You're told on the day the results which is great. Biopsies taken for my colitis to see if I need any meds. Worst thing with the colonoscopy was the prep.. I had gas and air and took very little. I watched the whole procedure on camera.. It was such a great thing to see inside my body. I'm feeling better but not 100% get tired easily. I watch my diet, drink lots of water and drink organic soya milk which has calmed my stomach. Please don't worry.. I worried myself to death but now I'm getting there. The health professionals were all over this to make sure I didn't have to wait too long to get results. Sometimes it's nothing sinister. Best of luck!

[_b71 in reply to IzzyF1202]

Thank you for your response. I'm glad you are feeling better. I had a colonoscopy years ago & I was the same, watched it all. The hospital rang me yesterday so I'm having it done on Sunday. At least it shouldn't be busy.

Hope all of your tests are clear & that your ovary turns out OK too. Xx

[IzzyF1202 in reply to _b71]

Thanks so much.... Hope everything goes well for you too xx

[_b71]

Colonoscopy done on Sunday. Dr said no C. Just mild Diverticulitis & grade 2 internal haemorrhoids which are fine for now.

Can't tell you how relieved I am.

Xx

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi _b71,

Thank you for posting on colon cancer connected. You certainly do have a lot going on and I'm glad to see your colonoscopy turned out to be non sinister. Your story is one that shows that there can be a lot of reasons for the symptoms people are seeing. It's also good to see that you took action to get answers to what was going on. A lot of people see symptoms and they don't take action until they become sinister so to speak. I'm glad to see your results turned out well. I'm also glad to see your doctor got you in to get tested rather quickly. I always like to see that.

And please know this that Googling the results is only the human thing to do. You're definitely not alone in doing that. I was actually told by my oncologist to stop Googling things.😂😲 We all do it. You just have to get things sorted out by a professional.

Again, thank you for posting as it is a journey that displays the steps that need to be taken when certain symptoms arise that need to be checked out. I'm glad to see it's something that can be handled. We do wish you the very best in the future and do hope it's a healthy one.🧡

~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.