Prep is a pain - use sudocreme to stop the acid burn.

MRI - I have had a lot of these and have found the easiest thing is to close my eyes. I know that may be difficult but I now even start to feel sleepy!

It is very claustrophobic (shudder) but closing my eyes and counting helps me ie I am closing out the confiement with closed eyes and also giving my mind something to do by counting. Of course trying to work out the meaning of life the universe and everything may work but counting is simpler for me!

Hi Pamjam

I'm sorry you have to go through this again and I hope everything will work out fine for you.

You ask how you can stop worrying? I don't think you can until you know what you're dealing with, but it does help to keep busy and distracted. I have found that going for a good brisk walk in a park or countryside, or even where you live, can really help mentally. I was diagnosed last August and have been walking every day since and it's been the best medicine to cope with anxiety and side effects of treatment.

Do let us know how you get on. Thinking of you.

Amy x

Thank you Amy. MRI and bowel prep next week. Trying to stay calm and take everything a day at a time. I have seen the CT report and it shows 'thickening of the D3/D4 ', part of the small intestine. Fingers crossed it's nothing. Good luck to you and thank you for your reassurance x

 I am dreading the MRI, again! I am reminding myself i have done it before and can do it again! Especially with diazepam! Thank you for your reply 

Thought I would do a mini follow up for anyone reading this to find out what may happen for them.  

 I was anxious about the mri as usual! The bowel prep got worse with each glass but it's entirely doable. I did feel very bloated but I didn't get the dreaded runs until much later in the day. 

My veins kept moving so it took three tied to get the cannula in. That wasn't so bad as both radiologists were very kind. I was prone position, I found feet first, laying on my front with head down much eaier to deal with and I was actually quite relaxed! 

There wasn't time to get anxious as there was lots of breathing in and out with breath holds. It really did pass the time. The scan lasted about 30 mins, two stips, one for the contrast and one foe buscopan. 

As expected they didn't offer any results, I knew not to ask. I felt fine all day, just hungry due to missing two meals, I was also really thirsty as the Klean Prep was quite salty. A few episodes of the runs the next day but it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared, just like after a hot curry! 

Unfortunately I need to wait a bit longer than usual for the results as it's Easter. Post MRI report with the doctor on the 17th. 

Feeling a bit nervous, I really think it's unlikely I will have cancer again! I am manifesting an infection!! So fed up of feeling so bloated and in daily pain, every twinge reminds me I still don't know what is going on. 

The take away from my post is prep is rank but doable, no horrible urgency accidents, mri prone was better, feet first better. xxxx

Hi 

I'm extremely claustrophobic, so now with a mri I wear a eye mask which helps greatly and my gp gives me a couple of diazapan..

So I can do it with the help.of those.

Best wishes x