Worried sick about bowel cancer

Hi everyone, this forum has really calmed me down as I'm a nervous wreck and I now don't feel so alone. So for the last 6 weeks I've had terrible wind and bowel gas. Especially in the early mornings I'm waking and constant flatulence. I also have some left side pain when eating anything and terrible indigestion. I'm eating plain foods like rice, bananas, chicken and can't tolerate anything else. My tummy is constantly making weird noises. My bowel movements are all over the place. Used to be so regular, now it's none for a day or two, some days watery loose stools other days normal size and shape. Only one one occasion was there a tiny drop of blood on the paper when wiped, barely visible.I'm also suffering from bad back pain and sometimes pressure in back passage relieved by flatulence. 
I had a pelvic scan due to fear of ovarian cancer but that was ok, radiologist said I was full of bowel gas and recommended a referral for colonoscopy etc. I also have heartburn at times. 

Im absolutely terrified. Can't sleep or eat with anxiety so am losing weight. I'm so worried it's bowel cancer. I'm 44 and was so healthy up to this sudden change. The wind and flatulence is the worst. Can anyone relate or help?
seeing a specialist in the next few weeks.  
thanks so much to everyone for reading this  

  • Hi Hoping1977,

    Waiting for appointments, tests and results is always tough but I'm really glad the forum has helped you feel less alone and steadied your nerves whilst you wait.

    I know your anxiety has been making things more difficult but I hope the tips and advice given on the NHS Every Mind Matters website will make this more manageable. 

    It sounds like you've had a lot of challenging symptoms to contend with but many of our members have had similar issues so I'm sure some of them will be along soon to share their experiences and offer their support and advice.

    I hope all goes well when you speak with the specialist and have your colonoscopy but if you like to talk things through with someone, you're welcome to give our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040. Their helpline is open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they will do all they can to help.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Hoping1977,

    Did you see the gastroenterologist? 

    Helen x

  • Hi Helen. Yes I saw him yesterday & am having colonoscopy and endoscopy and scans in 2 weeks. I'm absolutely terrified and falling apart. I can't eat or sleep and feel like im having a breakdown with worry. I have this gut feeling this is cancer. I can't shake it. I'm just not coping at all. My symptoms are getting worse and I know the anxiety isn't helping. Just don't know how to get through the waiting & what im going to do when im diagnosed. 
    I hope you are doing better x 

  • Hi Hoping,

    Poor you - I'm so sorry that you're feeling so bad. The anxiety will definitely be making you feel a lot worse - I know that it is for me too. I don't think we should take our 'gut feeling' too seriously, though, as I think that the majority of people who come on here with symptoms feel this way and sometimes it turns out to be cancer but often it doesn't. 

    At least you're going to be tested fairly soon. Have you spoken to your GP about perhaps prescribing something for the anxiety or the lack of sleep? 

    Helen x

  • Thanks so much Helen. How are you doing? When is your appointment 

  • And how do you cope with your anxiety? 

  • My appointment is tomorrow. I've written a list of everything I want to tell him and have some further tests to request (I'm sure he will want to do them anyway). I just need some answers now.

    As for coping with my anxiety - I think it comes in waves and it seems to be linked to my pain levels. Today is a better day for me as the pain hasn't been as constant. Before Christmas, when I knew I was going to have to wait quite a long time, I spoke with the GP and she prescribed me a beta blocker for times when I felt completely beside myself. Some days I've taken the full dose, other times I've had a run of days without needing any. 

    x

     

  • I have Xanax from years ago and took one last night to sleep. I just feel like I'm waiting for the dreaded words, I know it's there. It's hell. I know what you mean if I didn't have symptoms I could escape it. But as I'm sitting here I have rectal pressure and pain in my back. It has to be something serious after 7 weeks of this. I just feel like I want my life back to normal. I can't cope at all with this and can't imagine how I'll cope with the test day & hearing the news & treatment. My poor babies are so young and need me. I don't want to turn their lives upside down. It's so so awful. I feel like I'm living in a nightmare. 

  • Hi everyone. My colonoscopy and endoscopy has been brought forward to Monday. I'm terrified. My symptoms are so much worse. Very bad back pain. Did anyone have this? I also can't eat properly and the wind and stomach noises are terrible. I'm convinced Monday will be very bad news for me and I just don't know how I'll cope. I'm terrified.  

  • How did your appointment go Helen?