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Awaiting Colonoscopy For Potential Bowel Cancer

Fez90
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Hi, 

I've been having severe diarrhea for 74 days now, stools can either be pale and ribbon like or mud/tar like and on average 6 times a day. Other symptoms are fatigue but I put this down as having a near 2 year old and my symptoms mainly occuring between midnight and 6am.

I also get the feeling that I haven't finished going, lost about a stone and a half but this seems to have stabilised recently and in the past week a tender stomach.

I've had multiple stool and blood tests that have ruled out viruses, coeliac and chrons and the last test FIT has come back with an elevated outcome. Now the Dr has advised this could just be because my bowels are inflamed by the constant diarrhoea but I've now been referred for a 2 week colonoscopy.

I know the chances are low of being cancerous and there could still be other causes but as much as I try I cannot shake off the thought of it being the C word. I only got the results and knowledge of the referral yesterday and I'm probably putting too much thought into it but the wait is already been too long.

I'm 32 years old and posting as I don't want to make family and friends panic and hoping this forum would be a great place to discuss and just acknowledge what's going on

  • Offline in reply to Fez90

    Hi

     

    I came on just now to message and ask how your colonoscopy went.

    I am so so so pleased for you that it is not the worst

    Not to undermine Crohns, I have friends with this and I know it's a hard illness to have but completely managable with the right care and treatment. I can only imagine the relief you feel and thank you for coming on to update.

     

    I have a phone appointment with a general surgeon on Saturday. That is almost 4 weeks since my referral. I think my health board must not be meeting standards. It is a long time to anxious. I take it from there I will get booked in for the colonoscopy.

    I decided to stop my iron tablets and my toilet issues have went back to normal so that's one less thing to deal with anyway.

     

    Wishing you all the best going forward with your treatment for crohns

     

    Gem

     

     

  • Offline in reply to MrsS18

    [@MrsS18]‍ 

    Sorry it's been a while, just wanted to check in on you to see how you are doing ? And if you've had any progress.

     

  • Offline in reply to Fez90

    Hi [@Fez90]‍

    Thanks so much for checking in. 

    I finally had my colonoscopy, it was horrendous however they found didly squat. Not even a hemorrhoid so it's back to Gp for me where I'm getting tested for food allergies and intolerances.

    How are you getting on? Have your symptoms calmed down any? 

  • Offline in reply to MrsS18

    [@MrsS18]‍ 

    That is good news but a pain that it means it's ongoing but hopefully you find an answer soon.

    Im still struggling with symptoms I have good and bad days and just waiting for my biopsy results to come through and then I can hopefully start some treatment. They said 6-8 weeks and it's been 5 weeks so far, so fingers crossed it's soon.

  • Offline

    Hi there, these symptoms is exactly what I had 25 years ago. I had diarrhea for over 3 months, could not eat anything other than a bit of toast each day and lost over 40 pounds in those 3 months. I was diagnosed with Colitis ulcerosa. The consultant told me its "mild". There were no fit tests or CT scans etc, just had to do the colonoscopy. 

    It comes back now and then, sometimes very mild and some bouts are quite bad where I lose a lot of weight again and have to go toilet 15 to over 20 times a day. Know  the feeling too well that you have a constant urge to go and never feel you finished. 

    I guess that you will be diagnosed with something similar. There are medications that will keep it in check and get you out of flares. Wish you good luck with whatever they finding. Dont think it will be cancer though, they would have seen that during colonoscopy. 

     

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