May I ask what peoples symptoms were before having a colonoscopy in terms of pain or bleeding or anything else? Was your bleeding small or large amounts? I’m having large amounts of bright red blood. It’s not just when I wipe it turns the whole toilet bowl water bright red and sometimes there’s blood clots. Pain is severe in my back passage too like a burning stinging and that’s not when I go to the toilet that’s just all of the time. If anything when I go to the toilet I get a relief from pain afterwards for a short time but then it returns. Ive also been anaemic for a while. I’m only in my 30s so GP has been sending me away for quite a few months despite me going back over and over again but I’ve finally been referred for a colonoscopy and waiting for an appointment now. Thank you 

Hi Daisy,  hopefully you won't have too long to wait for the colonoscopy now you have finally been referred..

A small amount of blood in the toilet bowl can look very alarming being bright red means it's fresh and not old [ dark coloured] blood. Haemorrhoids can be internal and external and capable of producing blood when having a BM...hopefully you will get some answers after the procedure. 

For me it was a marked change in my bowel habits, accompanied by distended stomach, low down period-type pains  [ hysterectomy 45 years ago]  sensation of needing to pass motion even after a BM. Five positive qFIT results and referred to Colorectal Consultant. Appointment for colonoscopy last June which had to be cancelled.. follow up appt missed until Nov colonoscopy 17th Dec 24 ...20 week waiting list for results.  There has been no change,  multiple BM,  pain, loss of appetite,  blood ( not all the time) the feeling of needing to have a BM.. seven times since 10 am..now 4.15 p.m

Thinking of you..

.

You're very welcome Daisy.. having a place to ask,  listen and support each other can make a real difference,  I think..

Hello Daisy

Good to hear from you.

Sounds like you're a few weeks behind some of us in your process.

Of course, we are not the medical pros, but like Eastend said, some of us find it super helpful and supportive to share our experiences on here. So with that caveat in mind, please might I gently suggest you don't get too far ahead or do yoo much research. There could be several reasons for your symptoms.

In your particular questions, the one I can particularly relate to is being anemic. I have lost weight, get cold more easily and get tired more. A few weeks now of iron tablets seems to have addressed a lot of that.

Whatever the outcome and process for your colonoscopy, we are here for you.

Take care

Hi James, been thinking about you today,  hopefully your appointment wasn't too overwhelming instead gave you some clarity and the support for the days ahead.. take care 

Thank you. I am grateful.

It wad hard. Realities kicking in, now they have proposed an actual plan, explained it all and that it will start soon.

It's still a pretty positive outlook and the oncologist was pretty confident of the treatment leading to cure. But it looks like a longer journey than I'd hoped. Likely starting with chemo in a couple of weeks. I'm very nervous, as I process this

Hi James...gonna gently remind you of the advice you gave earlier ...don't get too far ahead or do too much research

Each of us will react and respond in different ways,  even when having the same treatment and procedure...

Be kind to yourself,  one day at a time x

Thank you. Yes,good advice.

I know I struggle with being present, so the step at a time approach is hard for me.

Never easy but vital for your well-being.. mentally and emotionally and physically x

Hi, I have just had a phone call from doctor, stating that the FIT test was positive and I need a colonoscopy. After having strange bowel movements for some time, and a dull ache in my bum. I am terrified. My question is this, what mental thoughts, processes and actions can I adopt to stop me from worrying or thinking about my situation or indeed if the outcome is not good?

Hi anon...my advice would be,  do not ask Google, try to concentrate on one day at a time, thinking/worrying about a possible outcome is stressful and impacts on your physical and mental wellbeing.. when you have the results of the colonoscopy and are seen by Colorectal clinic .. then and only then can a diagnosis/prognosis/treatment plan be prepared and offered...

Until that time, be kind to yourself 

Hi James4000.. just to let you know we [ me n Tango] are thinking of you  sending gentle hugs  

Hi James4000.. just to let you know we [ me n Tango] are thinking of you  sending gentle hugs  

Thank you so much, my dears. It means a lot to know we're out there supporting each other.

Had my visit to a different hospital today and a thorough meeting with a very well regarded surgeon. Concensus was they agreed with plan: so chemo starts soon for me. I think I'm starting to get the mental improvement of having a plan that I've heard people say. I'm daunted by it, and don't like the idea of a pic line (I'm not great with needles for bloods etc, simply because it tends to hurt me), but I'll get used to it. The surgeon today said there's a strong chance (he mentioned 90%) that for my case, it will shrink the tumour and the nearby lymph node, so that sounds very encouraging.

Leaving it there, one step at a time.

How are you doing? Any updates?

Hi James...really good to hear that you had such an encouraging meeting today.. in regards to the Pic line...you've got this  all part of the big plan and the beginning of better days ahead.. I think you are absolutely right,  once there is a plan, it provides focus..

One step at a time and the most important thing is: #positive thinking 

Stay strong,  sending gentle hugs x

James4000 hi James hope things are going ok for you  I have to have a test for my breathing which I think my surgeon said would be a exercise bike for 30 mins  just hope I can do as I have asthma  then I need my bloody doing again as there on the border line. Might need an iron infusion before the op  then maybe the op a couple of weeks after. Bowel prep again before the op  how lovely. lol  we got this James  always here if you need to vent. I have got eastendgirl as a amazing friend  she is there for every one who needs to talk and she is so caring xx

Hi tangoPotter and James4000...

Thanku tango for your kind words, care,support and understanding are vital for us all...a listening ear, a [virtual]  hand to hold...can help each of us..

Thinking of you both and everyone on this journey ️

Hi Tango

Hope all goes well with the breathing test for you. It's probably good that they're moving towards surgery for you soon. Hopefully a good sign in that they don't feel they need to do chemo first.

I'm doing OK. I have a lot happening very quickly now, which is a bit overwhelming. I have 3 appointments this week: another MRI as the radiologist at the 2nd hospital isn't satisfied with the scan (though the staff said it wasn't anything to worry about); then an ultrasound, as they want to check my throat (they said it's most likely nothing, but need to rule everything out - oh joy, please not any spread); then on Friday I have an appointment with the chemo team to do all the tests, prepare everything etc before starting treatment.

It has all been moving along well and rather reassuring, but this week already feels hugely daunting, as I'm worried they could now find complications. Can't get ahead of myself, but it is a lot happening very quickly, 3 appointments in 4 days on various different things, at 3 different locations.

Hi James4000... taking one day, one step at a time is essential for your wellbeing.. thinking about 3 appts, 3 locations within 4 days is overwhelming.. for anyone...

Be kind to yourself and concentrate on the fact that it's  'moving along well and rather reassuring '...your words xx

Hi James4000 and tangoPotter..

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you.. hopefully this week has not been too overwhelming James4000 and that you will receive positive news from your tests  ️

Thank you. Thinking of you too. I'm grateful for having met such lovely people on here.

I'm doing OK. Yesterday went well and was very encouraging news. Today, objectively probably fine (and ultrasound and small samples on some nodes elsewhere (neck/throat), which they think are nothing but have to check) but I didn't cope well. Hopefully past that now, but will see what they come back with- really hoping for no further complications, though 2 Oncologists have said its almost certainly nothing.

Friday is the pre-treatment meeting for chemo. Will no doubt be info overload. I'm so lucky my wife is very involved and supportive. It helps to have someone else to absorb all the information (along with many other things).

I shared news of my diagnosis with a handful of other friends and colleagues, which I always find hard, as I'm quite a private person in a lot of ways. But it has helped.

How are things looking for your next steps, Tango?

And Eastend, any update on your appointment or still in the waiting game for now?

Morning James4000...well done to you on getting thru  the additional hurdles.. the past few days, the additional biopsies, so much information from various sources ... so glad you have such great support from your Wife. Overwhelming for her too but giving her love, support and care to you makes such a difference.  Well done for sharing your diagnosis with those close to you, not only an added support for you but another layer of understanding for your Wife..

Friday will be info overload, I'm sure, but being able to absorb and discuss it,  will hopefully ease the burden...even if only a little..

Still the waiting game for me, I spoke to the Medical secretary to the Colorectal consultant a couple of weeks ago.  Report is back from pathology,  now waiting for it to be seen and a letter or [possibly] phone call.  I will be patient,  the secretary is so helpful and caring, I see no point in calling her again, the department is terribly overstretched and there will be many others seeking a diagnosis...

Be thinking of you tomorrow, sending support and care  x