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Colonoscopy

tangoPotter
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Hi every one I’m due for a colonoscopy on Tuesday I’m feeling really scared don’t really feel.upto the procedure as I really suffer with stress and anxiety but I know I need to do this  I have been feeling as if I need to poo but some times it’s just reddish pus and feeling very gassy but because of feeling I need to poo I’m always in the bathroom , been having problems for a while now. I thought maybe I just had internal piles but when I went to my gp doctor couldn’t see or feel any thing so did a fit test which came back positive  so I was referred for a colonoscopy  I’m so scared of having cancer  not looking forward to the bowel prep  I think your all a lot braver than me   Xx

  • Offline in reply to tangoPotter

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

  • Offline in reply to James4000

    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

  • Offline in reply to tangoPotter

    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.

  • Offline in reply to James4000

    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

  • Offline in reply to tangoPotter

    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

  • Offline in reply to Eastendgirl

    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.

  • Offline in reply to James4000

    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  

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