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Bowel Changes

JD169
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Hi

I am a 34-year-old female with no family history of Bowel cancer. Over the past few years, i have had bouts of very smelly wind which I thought could be IBS. I have now started with bouts of loose stools and pain under my left rib and down the left-hand side of my tummy. My bowl habits can change on a daily basis going from very loose to normal. I notice I seem to have very loose stools and tummy pain more after I have drunk alcohol. I have been to the GP and I have had 2x calprotine stool samples which are both positive for inflammation and I have done a FIT test which has come back abnormal. All my blood tests have come back normal it is just the stool samples that are abnormal. I am waiting to see a gastro doc to see what happens next. I struggle with anxiety so this has made it through the roof! I am worried it could be bowel cancer. Has anyone else had the same symptoms? any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

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    Hi [@JD169]‍ 

    I am currently going through something similar.

    I'm a 32M and been having loose stools on average 6 times a day for the last 76 days. All my blood and stool tests came back normal except for the FIT test.

    I've had a tender tummy for the past week and it's worse when I lie on my right side. My other symptoms which from the power of Google separate it from potentially IBS is that I've lost over a stone in weight and continuously tired.

    I'm currently waiting for a date for a colonoscopy and like you going crazy. The possibility is likely to be something else but that C word is all I can currently think about.

    This probably won't help you with your anxiety but I'm hoping it will let you know that you are not alone and panicking is completely normal and from what I've seen on here is that people are friendly, supportive and happy to chat. Fingers crossed that everything goes ok for you

  • Offline in reply to Fez90

    Hi

    Thank you for your reply.Yes my anxiety is going through the roof! I have had a telephone consultation with my GP this morning who has put my mind at ease a little as she said with my bloods and my age she would be very shocked if it was cancer. She said it's rare in younger people. She thinks it could be colitis but with out the camrea she can't be 100%. It's still very scarey. I just want it over withI have not lost any weight or seen blood just have the loose stools andpain on my left side/under rib. 

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Fez90

    Hi I sent a reply but not sure why it's posted how it has done :happy: 

     

     

     

    Please keep me posteand I hope everything is OK.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Offline in reply to JD169

    Have they put you through on a 2 week referral ? 

    If so it doesn't sound like a long time but it definitely feels like it when your mind is running off 24/7. 

    And the stats are definitely in our favour, so that's one good thing 

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    Hi 

    I just wanted to message and say you are not alone with the anxiety of the unknowing. 

    Since around new year's eve I started noticing blood when going to the toilet. My bowel habits have been all over the place sometimes loose sometimes they are normal. Tiredness and I've lost a fair amount of weight recently. I have had some stomach cramps but nothing major. 

    I went to the Dr who said likely to be piles, gave me tablets and saw her again 2 weeks later. Then she did poo sample and bloods. also sent off for 2 week referral for colonoscopy. 

    My FIT test came back as normal but I have been told I have low folic acid and vit D levels. 

    I have my colonoscopy this Friday coming and I have fully convinced myself I have cancer. It's terrifying having to wait such a short amount of time feels so long. 

    I'm only 28, my grandad had bowel cancer.. the Dr said nope not going to be cancer as I'm too young but I had stage 1 skin cancer back in 2019 so I know that cancer doesn't discriminate against age. 

    I really don't want you to panic more but I have read lots of other people's stories online for the #nevertooyoung, although it isn't common for younger people to have bowel cancer, it does happen. 

    If you haven't been referred already I would suggest ringing your GP and ask that you are referred. It's going to be much better to have it and then know there is no problems otherwise I know from my experience it just fully takes over every single thought. 

    Wishing you all the best x

  • Offline in reply to Clt23

    Hi

    Thanks for your message. Yes I have been referred I am just waiting on an appointment from the hospital. Yes my FIT came back abnormal so there must be microscopic traces of blood. I've not seen any blood when I have been to the toilet though. I just want to to go away . Please keep me posted about your appointment on Friday. Hope all goes well. X

  • Offline in reply to Clt23

    Hi any update on your colonoscopy?

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