Colonoscopy, Incr blood traces, anemia

Evening all

I am stuck between not catastrophising and being terrified.

I've just been given 2week referral for a colonoscopy to either rule out bowel cancer or confirm it.

Background is: I've had minor troubles with my bowels (IBS, I suppose) since having salmonella 20-25years ago.

4-5 years ago, i developed a cyst  then fistula in the back passage, so passing blood and mucus. But localised, and after 3 minor surgeries, it was solved. I think it may be back (occasional discharge, and GP check), so maybe that explains some blood in the stool (once or twice a day?)

I came up anaemic a few months back, took irpn tablets a while, and and anaemic again on recent test. Been vegetarian for 7 or 8 years, so not a huge surprise maybe?

Recently needed the loo quite a lot every day, so went to GP. Bloods and Faecal tests. Now im referred for thr colonoscopy and GP says bowel cancer is possible from tests etc so far. But also wants to try to rule it out. Im confused and terrified. 

My optimistic side is saying there are other explanations. Trying not to self-diagnose, but it's my nature to want to understand things fully. Could it be Crohns or similar? Or might it be the blood is from the fistula recurring  whilst the increased toilet visits are developing food allergies etc?

Any advice, wisdom, support would be so welcome.

Should have the colonoscopy within 2 weeks. Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.

  • Hi James 40000 I do know how you feel. I’m in the same position as you  I feel terrified too I have been passing blood for a while  I thought I had internal piles the bleeding seems to be getting worse  I went to see the doctor and had a rectal examination the doctor says she can’t feel piles nothing up there but I don’t understand because some times I feel there is some thing there like piles it seems to fill up with blood  any way I had a fit test and it came back positive so now I’m booked for a colonoscopy I’m really scared of having one of them but I guess to find out what is wrong I don’t have a choice my worst nightmare then I wondered if it could be fistula asi was having mucus as well  I had my bloods done waiting for them to come back. It makes you feel so trapped and alone  hope you soon get the answered your looking for 

  • I hope you get good news, Tango. Having had a fistula, it's hardly pleasant but manageable.

    In my case I'm really worried if I may have delayed too long due to thinking the fistula was the cause of some things, but maybe there was something more sinister as well.

  • Hello all

    So, not great news for me. Had my colonoscopy this morning. They found a tumor and it's rectal cancer.

    Right now I feel strangely calm. Maybe still the sedatives though I felt no real impact from them.

    The Dr and nurse were very reassuring, and said that it's absolutely treatable and curable. The next step is scans to check if it has gone through the bowel lining to the muscle, in which case chemo and radio first, then surgery. There's a chance it's spread more, which would cause more complications, but hopefully not. It's been there for a while it seems, but isn't too advanced based on the Dr's assessment, so now just hoping for no complications.

    I've been relieved to read so many others on here getting other diagnoses, and was trying to be optimistic I would get similar, but it seems I'm one of the less fortunate ones.

    However, I feel blessed that the medical professionals have offered so much reassurance and confidence of complete treatment and cure.

  • Hi James, just wanted to reach out and let you know I’m in the same position and it sounds like at least when you wrote that message you were dealing with it well. I hope you have someone you love with you now. I’m lying in an empty hospital room coming up to midnight on nye and struggling to think about anything else than the news I got this morning from the surgeon. Feeling very low and alone and my brain is in absolute overdrive. I have two small kids who need their mummy. 

  • Hello

    I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing something similar.

    I'm at home with my wife, who is supportive but is scared and blaming herself. I also have 2 children. I cannot imagine how to tell them. I think the advice it to wait until we know more.

    I feel all over the place, but almost certainly worse. I fully relate to your feeling of the brain being in overdrive. Perhaps the initial shock kept me calmer before.

  • James, my heart goes out to you. Without doubt this is scary and is going to require grit and determination. You said the doctor felt it was very treatable which is very encouraging. I'll continue to pray for you that there is no spread. My kindest regards to you.