Hi everyone. 

I have been having some worrying symptoms for about 6 months now. I've been back and forth to the doctors during this time. They ran stool tests and blood tests about 5 months ago which all came back normal except folate being low. I've been on folic acid for 3 months but finished those 2 months ago. In the last few weeks my symptoms have been getting progressive worse which has prompted my return to the GP. I have IBS so I really feel this has delayed progress with finding out what's happening as the docs always assume any gastro issues I have are that - but this is absolutely not the same as my IBS symptoms.

My symptoms:

Change in bowel habit (increased stool frequency and volume), loose and floating stool, nausea, stomach cramps (these are sometimes very severe with hot and cold sweats to the point of nearly passing out), narrow stools when they are formed, vision blurred despite getting new glasses 8 months ago, back pain which accompanies the stomach pain. I'm tired all the time which isn't helped by the fsct these symptoms often wake me in the middle of the night.

These symptoms have been increasing in frequency but have gotten much worse in the last two weeks and over the last 3 weeks I've lost 9lbs. My doc ordered a repeat of all the previous tests. My stool samples have now come back - I was negative for bacterial issues etc but they said by fecal occult blood tests came back positive. I only found this out yesterday and the doctor has done a 2 week referral for a colonoscopy because of my other symptoms and the FOC, plus I have family history of bowel cancer (my mum was 49 when she was diagnosed). I am still waiting for the blood results - they should be back next week.

I'm not particularly worried about the procedure as I had one about 8 years ago so know the routine. I know it could be so many different things so I'm not jumping the gun and thinking the worst right now either.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone experienced similar symptoms before a cancer diagnosis or another medical condition. Also, how long are people waiting right now to get their tests. My GP suggested it could be longer than the stated two weeks.

Thanks

Andy