I had a colonoscopy some years ago and was utterly terrified before it.

GP couldn't see or feel anything with me either but it did turn out to be piles. Nurse said that wasn't unusual, for them not to be noticed.

Hope you get good news 

Thank you  I’ will be taking the prep to night and then six in morning  as my appointment is afternoon can’t have any thing to eat now until after the colonoscopy. I’m really scared about tomorrow I’m still hoping it’s just internal piles hope the prep I can cope with  I guess I will be on toilet all night  hope I get good news as my stress levels are so high 

Hi Tango 

Maybe it's just because I'm a week ahead of you, so I've had more time to process things, and my anxiety has settled a little, so I feel less ill.

I'm scared too, and am up and down with all this. I think that's a normal reaction for all of us.

I get cramps a little, bit I've always had a sensitive stomach. I'm unclear when it's hunger, wind, anxiety etc. I find, for me, a hot water bottle  lots of mints, peppermint tea and chamomile works.

The MRI was fine, I guess. It's not fun, as it took quite a long time. But essentially you just have to lie still and do nothing for ages. I was praying and meditating, as best I could, which helped me get through it. It doesn't hurt or anything. I did find that I could physically feel the last 2 scans they did (it's it was several scans one after another, for me), and the radiologist (?) said that was normal as the last ones are a stronger frequency so you may feel them and feel a little hot. The stress was all psychological and I was a bit shaken up afterwards but the staff were very kind and supportive.

James 4000  thank you for your reply. My anxiety levels are not good but all you can do is go with the flow so to speak I’m getting really constipated never have I ever been this way just hope where the tumour is situated it doesn’t cause a blockage I’m only eating small and only what I think I can maybe eat   Still loosing weight  which is a worry I’m really trying to eat better but it’s a struggle stomach makes lots of noise  so happy you are feeling better and taking things in your stride   All I want to do is like every one on here is just to be able to get on with your life. I’m a 70 year old piano student and have another course coming up but my mind won’t let me think about any thing else. Xx

Hi tangoPotter...weight loss is to be expected when our food intake is reduced.  Same for gurgling/gastric noises.. less food means less work for the gastric juices to break down.. bit like when you feel hungry and your tummy rumbles..

You say your concerned about a blockage being caused by the tumour...this is why it's vital to keep B.M regular...impacted faeces is excruciating..

Really hoping you have been given access to a nurse by your GP/consultant or hospital..

Eastendgirl thank you for your reply  it’s really lovely to talk to you thank you. I guess I’m just getting things out of proportion not thinking straight  every thing you say makes a lot of sense  I’m just over thinking every thing every extra pain extra wind extra stomach noise   Thank you for making me feel a bit better xx

TangoPotter...you are not getting things out of proportion,  you are struggling with the news you have been given.. that is very natural.. thanku for your kind words,  my only hope is that knowing you are not alone can help a little.. sharing helps to ease our worries..having support and understanding is vital...be kind to yourself x x

James4000 hi thank you I will have to try mints and mint tea to see if it helps. Today I’m feeling a bit achey around bottom of my back it could be how I have been laid in bed but I find every little thing that appears different with me I’m thinking is that because of the tumour I don’t know me any more  still waiting for my scans don’t know when they will be  but I’m just going to have to go with the flow of things  but every one on here is so lovely and helpful  lots of love xx

TangoPotter...hi there, may I offer a little advice please..

Have you been given an approximate date/time for the scans ?

All NHS departments are experiencing delays and longer waiting times.. so it's important to keep checking with the relevant department .. this can be appt referral/ xray department or the secretary to the Consultant assigned to your case.. going with the flow is inevitable at times but it's vital for your emotional and mental wellbeing to get as much info as possible x

Hi. I got a phone call last week not long after my colonoscopy from a hospital saying my scan will be in these two weeks she said the hospital will send an appointment date to my phone or they will ring me. That’s all I know.  Thank you for your reply  xx

Really good to hear you are on the 2ww list  thanku for the update xx

James 4000 hi James  I’m a bit worried with keep going to toilet quite a lot passing bits of stool blood and mucus maybe it’s that why I’m loosing weight  I only eat very small these days just hope this tumour hasn’t got hold of me I’m looking pale as well just want to know if your experiencing things like that  when I get out of bed in the morning it starts with the bath room  feel a little weak in morning until I’ve been up a while  Hope your doing ok would be good for anyone to share there experiences  xxx

James 4000 hi James  I’m a bit worried with keep going to toilet quite a lot passing bits of stool blood and mucus maybe it’s that why I’m loosing weight  I only eat very small these days just hope this tumour hasn’t got hold of me I’m looking pale as well just want to know if your experiencing things like that  when I get out of bed in the morning it starts with the bath room  feel a little weak in morning until I’ve been up a while  Hope your doing ok would be good for anyone to share there experiences  xxx

Hi Tango 

Yes, kind of similar for me. I need to go to toilet 10+ times a day, sometimes a couple of times in quick sucession.

In the morning, last few days, I've found that I passed quite of lot of fluid, mostly mucus in the night, which is obviously not pleasant and is quite worrying.

I then usually have several normalish bms and some  passing blood and mucus.

I'm going to call the cancer nurses about it,  but I think it's not unusual for our conditions. Do others on here have this kind of experience?

On your weight, paleness, etc, I would recommend you talk to the cancer nurses at your hospital. There is also a good helpline you can call, only open a couple of days per week. I had it recommended by a nurse on one if these forums. I spoke to a oncology dietician, who was thorough and helpful.

https://www.wcrf.org/living-well/living-with-cancer/cancer-and-nutrition-helpline/

They are next open 6pm-8pm tomorrow.

Hi James thank you for your reply. How is your food intake mine isn’t great I try but still don’t know if it’s my anxiety that makes me not fancy much I only eat little bits still haven’t got date yet for scan hoping it won’t be too long then maybe I will know what can be done for Me x

Hi tangoPotter and James4000... following your thread as I await my results...

Passing bloody mucus and looking pale are experienced by many people with bowel cancer... intake of food is less meaning the digestive system has less work to do.  Anaemia is very usual causing a pale complexion and feeling of weakness. Loss of appetite,  eating less has multiple impact on the body... some people are given liquid  supplements to balance the lack of nutrients in the diet. Keeping well hydrated and eating little and often can be helpful.  When we have little appetite the thought of a meal can be too much,  meaning we don't eat anything at all.. 

For me a jacket potato is a good 'go to' or a bowl of cereal when the thought of a meal is too much

Thank you, Eastend. Yes this makes sense and it is always reassuring to know others have experienced the same or similar things.

For me (sorry of I'm repeating this), I've been told to avoid fibre. I've been given a couple of useful, similar lists of foods to eat, eat in moderation or avoid based on fibre. But I try to apply common sense to it. The fibre correlates with how easily one can pass the waste afterwards. So, veggies are OK, but should be well cooked, and when they're for example in soups, there isn't much fibrous material that might be hard to pass (vs say, brocoli stalks or raw salads).

I've changed to white bread, crumpets etc (always ate seeded granary before), lots of bananas, soups, rice crispies (always muesli and granola before), protein shakes (used to only after sport, but now daily) [I'm a vegetarian, so need to get enough protein, which before I got from lots of nuts and seeds, which I'm supposed to avoid now due to fibre].

I was told my bowel is partly restricted by the tumour, but i havent had constipation really, due to diet change. I jist find i have the urge to go to the toilet a lot and have lots of small BMs.

I am anaemic. Been on iron tablets for the past week, which is definitely helping with my complexion, energy etc. Only aide effect for me (touch wood) is very dark stools.

Hi James4000...

I find it ironic.. very seldom eaten processed foods for the past 60 years  [77 in March] I cook from fresh, make my own bread, biscuits etc, eat a well balanced diet,  plenty of fresh fruit and every day.. standing joke amongst family and friends as I always serve 4 or 5 different veg at evening meal.. breakfast is granola with banana,  blueberries,  kiwi, strawberries,  grapes and any her fresh fruit to hand...all the things we are advised for preventing bowel cancer and other bowel issues ♀️

I have had Pernicious anaemia for 40 years and have hydrocoxobalamin injection every 10 weeks. ..also other autoimmune conditions.. I wonder where/if there is any link  

As for dark stools.. this is due to the blood I am told ..

Take care  

Eastendgirl. Seem to be loosing more bloody mucius  does any one else get this when standing up feeling like a bm but it’s bloody mucus some times notice this when I’ve eaten a little more I’m a little sore there with keep wiping bottom  sorry for this horrid post  just feeling a little nervous about it 

TangoPotter.. it's really important to have some zinc and castor oil at hand.. I use wipes rather than toilet paper..much more gentle.. your post is not horrible. I'm glad you are able to reach out.. have you contacted the nurse dealing with your case, might be worth giving her a call 2moro to ask her advice..important that any changes are reported to the hospital..

Try to get some rest

Thank you  I panic just seems a bit more bloody mucus to night  and I’m on my own as hubby works nights  first time I ever felt sore there as well    X

I spoke to the cancer nurse today about this for me. She said it's normal that the bowel produces mucus and when we have this condition it can overproduce.

I've had large mucus dischsrges at night the last 3 nights. The nurse didn't seem worried about it, which was reassuring.

I'm like you, eastend. I usually eat super healthily. Annoying I have to eat less nutritious food at the mo. So frustrating that I have been a really healthy eater for years, vegetarian for the last 8y, and gave up alcohol a year ago, exercise regularly, yet I manage to get this. 

The nurse told me today the dark stools is down to the iron and is normal, so that was reassuring