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 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

TangoPotter...it's normal to panic, this is a very scary thing.. really important to use some soothing cream for the soreness.. otherwise the skin will become inflamed and can possibly bleed a little..you don't need anymore issues x

TangoPotter...it's normal to panic, this is a very scary thing.. really important to use some soothing cream for the soreness.. otherwise the skin will become inflamed and can possibly bleed a little..you don't need anymore issues x