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 

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

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

Sorry James4000.. I'd forgotten you had been prescribed iron.. dark stools and constipation are the 'bonus' effects 

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.

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.

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..