Not diagnosed but scared also very TMI

I'm a 25 years old and recently I've noticed a change in my bowel habits. I use to go once a day normally in the morning but for the past week I've been going twice in the morning before breakfast, a little bit after breakfast and then a while after lunch. Strangely enough I have the urge to go after dinner but don't actually have to. I had a splotch of red blood on the tissue paper last Thursday but haven't seen anything since and no blood in my stool. It's not diarrhoea or constipation but the shape of my stool is also inconsistent. My tummy also seems to be making a lot of noise. I do have health anxiety and of course I jumped straight to bowel cancer. I know it's rare in my age group but I know it can still happen. I panicked and called my GP yesterday as soon as they opened after the Easter  bank holiday and managed to get a same day appointment over the phone with a doctor. The doctor seems to think it's a stomach bug but like I said I'm not having diarrhoea, I'm just going to the toilet more and I'm not experiencing any pain. After my insistence the doctor agreed to do a stool test but just to test for bugs and then do further investigations after if necessary. So now I have to wait for those results which will probably come back next week. 
 

Everyone keeps telling me it's nothing serious but my health anxiety is so bad. I'm scared and anxious and I don't know what to do. I guess my only option is wait for the results and to go from there but it's so hard and I'm so impatient. 
 

Does anyone have any advice?

Gina 

  • Hello Gina

    I'm sorry to hear that you've had some health concerns recently. it's good to know you've already seen your GP about this and they are arranging some stool tests. Hopefully, you won't have to wait too long and the results will bring some reassurance. 

    We know that waiting for answers can be a difficult time, particularly if you struggle with health anxiety as well. The NHS website has some information that you may find helpful as well as the NHS Mood Zone website. 

    Try to keep busy and quash any negative thoughts by reminding yourself that this could be a simple problem that is easily resolved. Avoid searching the internet for answers/information as this will certainly increase your anxiety levels. 

    I hope things settle for you soon. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator