That's the key "don't go too far ahead". One step at a time. If it is then I have to go with it, just this not knowing bit I hate.

Gentle virtual hug received. Bless you and thank you for taking the time to reply.

This thread seems to have the nicest, compassionate people on it x

I think it was only about a week.

I was convinced id got cancer though as at the time a work colleague had bowel cancer and my symptoms were exactly the same!! Oh and my work colleague has made a full recovery. 

Im fine now,I know how to manage what I do have although I do still have to have a fit test due to the inflammation in my colon. 

It was the waiting around which was the worst part and the constant worry of what I thought it was. 

Its easy for me to say it now but having gone through the whole process the worst thing you should be doing is beating yourself up with worry.

Were you diagnosed with bowel cancer? Sorry but I can't remember now as a lot of people had replied to this thread I put on here. 

You probably did say tbh.

That so interesting ref your work colleague and you and how you both ended up having different things. 

Do you worry when you have to do FIT tests now or do you just stay in the moment more?

You are 100% right with the worry. I am trying hard to distract but I pinned this thread as I knew you guys had been through this horrible process and would get this feeling of impending dread and fear x

I guess theres always that worry there but I know what I have and ive not noticed any blood in 12 months. The only way you get bowel cancer is if you have polyps. I had a few and luckily they were all cancer free. They were all cut away during the colonoscopy so if you do have polyps theyll remove them. 

No polyps = no bowel cancer. 

They can grow back However but apparently they can take 10 years to turn bad if it all. So if i noticed blood and it became more frequent Id know there was something else going now as I know how to manage what I do have now if you know what I mean. 

Problem is theres that much inside your bowel/backside/stomach etc that can go wrong/bleed. It can literally be anything. Friend of mine went through this and all he had was internal piles! 

Just to add that the reason my inflammation/bleeding is under control is because I have a suppository every 2 days. Not the nicest thing to do but its done the trick. 

That's reassuring to know ref the polyps, when I last had a colonoscopy they couldn't find anything other than internal piles.

But that's 5 years down the line and I guess they always have to check for things. 

I think the fact that so many of us in our 40s and 50s are getting it is the thing that worries me. It was always a disease of old age (or so I've been told) but more increasingly us 70s and 80s babies are getting it. I'm 44 for reference. I've had anaemia for about 15 years on and off and they have never found an obvious cause. Hence why I always have to come back to GI bleed.

I'm really pleased you have everything under control now and you seem to understand how your body works and feels which I think is so important. 

Hope you continue to feel well in yourself and the suppository isn't too uncomfortable. The things we have to do huh?!? As long as it works though x