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 

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

James4000 is bloody mucus normal  just seems a bit more to night 

I think so. I'm not completely sure and suppose it depends how often and how much. But passing some blood is "normal" as I understand it.

Perhaps you could talk to the nurses at your hospital tomorrow. Or call the Cancer Research UK cancer nursing team- I've only liaised with them on these forums but they have a hotline.

I hope you're feeling better tomorrow. X

I think so. I'm not completely sure and suppose it depends how often and how much. But passing some blood is "normal" as I understand it.

Perhaps you could talk to the nurses at your hospital tomorrow. Or call the Cancer Research UK cancer nursing team- I've only liaised with them on these forums but they have a hotline.

I hope you're feeling better tomorrow. X

Thank you James  

If you are in any doubt and you think you are losing too much blood don't hesitate to call 111 and they will just ask you a bunch of questions and will get you the help you need probably a lot quicker than waiting until 23rd Jan ,they are lovely staff and will put your mind at rest if you are worried about the bleeding etc x

With due respect...the 111 service is manned by staff with a few weeks training.. I realise they have access to professional medics but they do not have the knowledge needed to offer advice in such cases as cancer... far too much evidence confirming this...

The average waiting time for a call to be answered is 40 minutes... as provided by NHS website...obviously the system is overwhelmed,  along with the infrastructure, calling a specialist cancer nurse/ helpline offers specific advice and support,  vital....

With all due respect back 111 is the number for the Country to ring when your GP is not available or out of hours and its 24 hour ,yes someone answers the phone and asks questions to find out the problem then you are handed over to professional NHS staff which in my opinion have always been extremely helpful and they get you the help you require ,where else are you going to go out of hours ,we have rang them on quite a few occasions and have never had to wait 40 mins maybe 5 so I have to  completely disagree with you .

In respect of your reply,  my post was from personal experience and that of close friends..

I appreciate that the service was designed for accessing out of hours advice and support and for minor ailments it is able to fulfill this criteria. In regards to specific conditions,  only the knowledge and experience of a specialist Nurse/Doctor or other qualified professional is acceptable.. in my view..

My partner has had 2 years of immunotherapy under the chemo department with an emergency OoH number and they have ordinarily sent him to a&e for care when a&e are ill equipped to care for him not having the specialist knowledge. I think you can't underestimate how stretched our health service is. There should be a dedicated emergency oncology service as 1 in 2 of us will have some form of cancer in our lifetime I don't think cancer emergencies and acute care needs should be sitting alongside and triaged with accidents and other forms of emergency. Same with mental health emergencies. I think we're being short changed in our health services by trying to umbrella care without specialists who know the particular needs of certain types of patients.

We all have different opinions about lots of things ,its always best for a person to find out for themselves ,my experience has always been very positive and have always been put in touch with the correct staff to deal with the situation , we have no complaints and I'm very thankful to have 111 there for out of hours none emergency ,otherwise you'd call 999 .

No, definitely good to have 111 but once you're under oncology treatments you do get bounced around and signposted back to them a lot and it's frustrating. When my partner has taken treatments from other outlets the oncologist has disapproved. No antibiotics and no steroids on his treatment regime. I think chemo and radiotherapy is better understood in a broader medical setting but immunotherapy seems to flummox most.

My thoughts are with you and your partner.. I have a sister with Myeloma,  a cousin with breast cancer and a dear friend struggling with bowel cancer at this time.. so understand and agree with your comments regarding the 'non'  service available for such patients..sitting in A&E for many hours in some cases.. the most vulnerable people in our society.. and of course those experiencing mental health issues,  not able to access the specialist care so necessary and vital..

Unfortunately,  an overstretched NHS underfunded, understaffed and overwhelmed following far too many years of overpaid ' chiefs' and forgotten  'indians' as the saying refers to in respect of the imbalance of power and wealth..

I have a couple of autoimmune conditions,  one very rare and whenever I have been  to  A& E..I have been met with blank stares by the medical staff...some things NEED the attention of those who have specialist training...