Worried, yet again

[BonnieLass13]

Back again with yet another episode of I always think of the worst case scenario first. Had a BM yesterday and when I wiped there was tiny bright red streaks, instantly freaked out, sweats, racing heart, the lot. Wiped the second time and there was the tiniest speck. Not mixed in with the stool on the toilet paper nor in the stool itself.

Mind you I did have several hard stools prior to this day that I often found I strained and I did strain yesterday. I live in a hot country as well so you're more prone to sweat and get pimples or things like that in and around that area. I do probably wipe more than I should...

But my brain is so hotwired on the worst case scenario I can't shake it. I cannot get into a doctor or anything until next year. I should be looking forward to Christmas that's upcoming and a holiday away in March but when health anxiety takes hold it can disrupt everything in my day.

I know colon cancer is unlikely out of several other things...I'm 29...no family history, my dad is 60 and he had the screening test done recently and it came bsck fine.

I'm tired of catastrophising everything...☹️

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi BonnieLass13,

I am so sorry these things are driving your anxiety. It’s probably more common than not. Sounds completely external. I would shut down that anxiety and focus on music and reading and going to the gym. This relaxes you. All that every day and some of it twice a day would be in order. Focus on what you control and do it.👍💪🚴‍♂️❤️🎵🎶📖🚴‍♂️

Tom

[BonnieLass13 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thanks Tom, it was just that once and nothing since then. I have terrible skin so I'm just about prone to pimples, cysts, boils here there and everywhere. It doesn't help being in a sweltering hot place either. I've been listening to music and playing video games so the head space I'm in at the moment is improving. I'm going to make it my mission to take my anxiety medication like clock work and stop missing days. I got a clean bill of health the last time I saw my GP so I'm remaining optimistic 💪💪💪

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to BonnieLass13]

Optimistic is a good place to be. 👍. Like some of the things you are doing, I do some things that bring satisfaction in my mind. I’ve had several hospital stays and nothing is better than “discharge day” especially when you’re better off from it. So, I volunteer at my local hospital twice a week and I enjoy being a part of other’s “discharge day”. It reminds me of mine and I’m a part of their big day as well. Kind of a win win for me and them👍

[BonnieLass13 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

That's very admirable, I'm sure they're very grateful for you doing that 😊

[Schnoodle2017]

my experience is similar to yours. I'I'd Draw a couple spots of blood after wiping a bit. The bblood Was bright red. I mentioned this to o e doctor. She replied ,'that's good". Think was expecting somesomething more worrying. When it happened again, I had a FIT TEST. The results came back as satisfactory (squaring below 10).

I'Id keep an eye. May e keep a diary on this activity. You'You'll feel you'you're something while waiting for an opportunity to see a dr. It'It'll take the sting out of your anxiety just mo storing and recording your experience. You'You'll be better prepared to speak dr. Aboutyour symptoms, worries etc.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Schnoodle2017]

Great idea👍. When I was on my clinical trial, I kept a diary of my pooping habits and that did help. I was all over the spectrum and the information I kept would tell me I've been there before and either things got better or that symptom would eventually go away. Nothing ended up being sinister.

I was also very aware of what I ate. I had foods I'd do well eating and put them in my "circle of trust". I was also taking a lot of diarrhea meds and tracked the different ones and quantity taken. That helped me dial in best practices. 6 years after coming off the trial, I still take some of those meds. Part of my new norm.

[Schnoodle2017 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

y

you've Done really well with keeping the diary. I'I'm just recently having recurrence of my former stomach problems. That'That's when I decided to do a diary. I can'can't see a doctor until after Christmas. I have to go on the gastro weds to see if they help. I'I'm Not sure of the exact problem as pain seems to move about a bibibit.. bowel pain, them right side stomach pain, thrn back pain etc. All dull. Never have any pain during the night and first thing in morning. Eating starts it up. I wonder if stress and worry aggravates it. So, definitely a diary is in order here as anything could e going on or could e a pist illness thing from when I had a nasty flue thing back in October.

I 've heard of food diaries and recording food triggers. That'That's a good idea for original poster as well.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Schnoodle2017]

Could it be your stomach expanding when you eat that is that trigger? Maybe not the particular food you are eating? Just thinking as you don't have pain at night. When you have pain, if you lay flat like your sleeping position, does the pain go away?

[Schnoodle2017 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

yes, it does. I go to bed with pain. It eases, I sleep. I often wake up at night anyway regardless yet, no pain at all. No pain first thing in morning. It start up after I eat; both stomach and back. Its there on and off all day. When I lay down in the afternoons, listening to an audio book the pain ease. I do have reflux as well reasonably often. I'I'm Going to take pain meds to see if that'that'll help.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Schnoodle2017]

Have you had a CT scan on lower abdominal area? In my case, my first symptom was it hurt to eat a big meal. I simply quit eating big meals. Pain went away. For me, my initial pain episodes were caused by my stomach pushing my tumor into some nerves. CT scan eventually revealed that.

[Schnoodle2017 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

I haven't had a a CT scan as this episode only started at the very end of November. Its almost two weeks.

[aysedeniz]

if your problem is only blood i would suggest you to eat spinach or green chards until you visit your doctor. The problem with our disease is that we need the help of a doctor. My case is difficult because docs told me that i am hopeless. Still i give big effort to survive with a nurse. He is a intensive care nurse who knows all the terrible symptoms i will walk on my way. İ m still alive🤪. And yes musiiiiic is wonderful therapy. Melodies run in my blood making me happy. İ wish you goodluck in ypur jurney. A doctor told me to enjoy my life. I suggest the same for you

[Dance22]

hi there you’re worrying is causing you anxiety and this makes you think the worst case scenario, I find it hard to imagine you having to wait so long for a doctors appointment, my granddaughter is almost the same age as you and she’s the same when it comes to this kind of thing, I take fybogel mebeverine it helps with a regular BM , I’m no expert on this apart from having had a positive test and got sorted in no time, try not to worry too much and have a lovely Christmas and hopefully you get seen soon 🙏🙏