More anxiety

[BonnieLass13]

I've found myself down the rabbit hole again about colon cancer. I've just turned 29, I'm female. It all started when I was consuming a lot of omelette for breakfast that had cooked spinach, chicken and feta cheese inside it. I ended up with diarrhea and some pretty horrid indigestion and heartburn. It took a little while to pass, I had also just started taking my antidepressants again after not having them for a month because I had covid. I had heartburn for quite a while and still get it often if I have a big meal. I ended up going on a diet kick and tried to get more fibre in my diet, but now I keep having varying bowel movements, sometimes soft and formed, sometimes a bit looser, sometimes loose then a small formed bit comes out. I will add there's no noticeable blood in toilet or on paper, they aren't pencil thin either. I suffer from anxiety and stress and I've taken on a new job where I don't often get time to relax. I've also taken up exercise. I know that there are two types of fibre, I don't drink a lot of water either, or at least not the recommended amount.

I'm just very stressed out and I've booked to see my GP but it's not until the 13th of September. I wish my brain would just not bother me for even 5 minutes with the worst case scenario. Especially when on social media you see stories of people younger than 40 or 30 getting diagnosed.

[Flowerytimes1]

you don’t have cancer.

[BonnieLass13 in reply to Flowerytimes1]

I wish I could just accept your answer and be on with my day if my anxious mind wasn't so bad at the moment

[Flowerytimes1 in reply to BonnieLass13]

I don’t know you but it sounds like you have anxiety not cancer. Anxiety can take form with physical symptoms. What helps you calm down?

[BonnieLass13 in reply to Flowerytimes1]

Music and reading usually or going to the gym

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to BonnieLass13]

Hi BonnieLass13,

Music, reading and going to the gym are a good place to help you focus. I would always focus on what I could control. Eating, hydration, faith, attitude, exercise. Your body is the playing field and you are in control of it. Your doctor can't do thise things for you. It will make things better for your GP if you are doing well in those areas.

You're going to see your GP the 13th. Write down exactly what you want to cover and go down your checklist during the visit. This way you will cover what you want. Conversations will go in all directions and you don't want to forget something. Is there a family history of something health wise in the family? Is there any cancer in your family? This would be good info for the GP to know as well.

I always tell young people to stick to the symptoms and not your age. Don't accept an answer of your being young; therefore something couldn't possibly be happening. You want all things to be checked out and have a definitive answer for them all.

We do wish you the best in finding answers. Please let us know what you find out as it is that type of information that can be helpful to others as well.

Regards,

~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.

[BonnieLass13 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thanks Tom,

It seems to have settled a bit now. I've stopped obsessing over getting a lot of fibre and spacing it all out. I found one of the triggers was mostly the oats with oat milk combined. Since I've stopped that it's not been too bad. I don't think the body is much used to change and can be a fickle thing when you suddenly get active, drink more water and change the food you eat.

The only things health wise is mostly my dad, he has an irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, possibility of getting diabetes from his dad's side. Mum's got rheumatoid arthritis. Cancer wise there's not any history or genetic predispositions. My gran had cancer but it was a rare form of leukaemia and that's it.

I'm learning to give my brain a break and say that there's mountains of other things that could be going on instead of the worst case scenario and probably the LEAST likely at this moment. It happened the last time when I thought I had MS or a brain tumour and all it was was low iron (not anaemic, just lower than normal range) and low vitamin D which was affecting my nervous system, digestion etc. I'm telling myself to trust in my GP when I see him because he hasn't trained all these years in the medical field for nothing. He's a good GP because the last time I was in to see him he had me do the cervical screening test and I think it's good that GP's bring this up regardless if you ask or not.

I think the only thing I need to get better at is getting enough sleep as I know not enough sleep can be terrible for someone with an anxiety disorder as well.

[BonnieLass13 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Update. Been to the doctor, I'm getting blood tests to check all my levels are fine because I've had issues in the past. He wasn't overly concerned with my gut issues which have since settled now and I'm going reguarly and having normal movements. He suspected a bit of irritable bowel because of my high stress plus taking my meds again after going off them cold turkey and starting again. Plus the sudden increase in high fibre but more of one and not of the other which didn't help me.

So this has obviously calmed me a lot. He's upped my dosage and he's giving me a sleeping tablet too to try and get myself into a regular rhythm of sleep which wouldn't be helping my gut or my stress and anxiety either 😊

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to BonnieLass13]

Awesome ... glad you are calming👏👏. Give it some time to kick in with your routine and give us an update.👍

[Bazh]

Hi Bonnie Lass13. I have suffered anxiety 50 years, had every disease you can think of including colon cancer, so I thought. Still here at 79, fit as a fiddle. Anxiety can ruin your life, and you have your whole life ahead of you. Hope your GP can put your mind at rest.

[BonnieLass13 in reply to Bazh]

Thank you Bazh. I always fear GP's will just think I'm insane but mine is really compassionate and reassuring. He's trained for this for years so I need to start getting my brain into a healthy mindset and think maybe just maybe my sudden change in diet is making my body freak out because it's not used to this change.