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..

.

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?

Hi @anon365 

Have you been given a date for your colonoscopy yet?

Hoping that they'll find another cause and quickly identify the right treatment for you. If the news is not as positive, please do know that many of us have gone through this and whilst it is of course scary and at times overwhelming, there is often a huge amount that the medical professionals can do.

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

Sorry that I went abit quiet. I really appreciate your kind replies. 

Today I went in for my colonoscopy but they wasn’t able to do it. I was in too much pain. 

When they did an exam before I was told I’d get a general anaesthetic because of the level of pain I experienced but when I arrived today I was told no they don’t do that.

They tried to do it with with sedation but it was agony. I am in constant pain all the time anyway now. I think that’s the worst part for me currently the pain. I don’t remember when I didn’t feel in agony. It’s becoming hard for me to function in everyday life. 

I don’t know where I go from here if I’m unable to have the colonoscopy done. I do have an MRI scan referral and I am waiting for my appointment for that. The hospital today told me to go back to the GP. 

Has anyone had a similar experience? Unsure what I do next to find out what’s wrong. Has your pain levels been that bad? Will an MRI pick up what I need without the colonoscopy? 

I’m sending you all my best wishes on your own journeys and Im hoping the very best outcome for all of you x

Sorry that I went abit quiet. I really appreciate your kind replies. 

Today I went in for my colonoscopy but they wasn’t able to do it. I was in too much pain. 

When they did an exam before I was told I’d get a general anaesthetic because of the level of pain I experienced but when I arrived today I was told no they don’t do that.

They tried to do it with with sedation but it was agony. I am in constant pain all the time anyway now. I think that’s the worst part for me currently the pain. I don’t remember when I didn’t feel in agony. It’s becoming hard for me to function in everyday life. 

I don’t know where I go from here if I’m unable to have the colonoscopy done. I do have an MRI scan referral and I am waiting for my appointment for that. The hospital today told me to go back to the GP. 

Has anyone had a similar experience? Unsure what I do next to find out what’s wrong. Has your pain levels been that bad? Will an MRI pick up what I need without the colonoscopy? 

I’m sending you all my best wishes on your own journeys and Im hoping the very best outcome for all of you x

Hi Daisy,  sorry to hear you were unable to have the colonoscopy done.  Previously I had the procedure without sedation.  It had to be stopped as I passed out from the pain,  the bowel was twisted. I had colonoscopy in December with sedation.  The procedure is always done with sedation in my local hospital now, thankfully I had no problems. An MRI can give many details, a colonoscopy is preferred by Colorectal Consultants as it's much more defined for diagnostic purposes.  G.A is seldom used due to the added cost/risk/time involved to the hospital and patient. 

Very best wishes to you, it may be worth discussing a small dose of oral sedation prior to the procedure.. good luck 

Oh sorry for my earlier reply I just realised your post was from two months ago,so im guessing you've had your colonoscopy and the results too. Hoping all went well x

Jassoscared  hi  this is an old post. Yes I had my colonoscopy and it wasn’t good news for me. I was told straight away I have a tumour in my bowel  which is a large one  but I’ve had all the tests I need and I’m soon to be scheduled for surgery I’m having a bowel resection hopefully with no chemo after  but will see my consultant seems happy my cancer is in a good place if you know what I mean  it’s just in my sygmoud and easy to get out with key hole surgery  so I’m hoping surgery will take place by the end of this March then I can get my life back   Thank you for your reply 

Tango potter

Hi just read yoir reply sorry it turned out to be a tumour, but thank goodness it was found. I do hope your bowel resection goes well,it will be a lot easier to recover if it's keyhole surgery, mine wasn't i  waa cut open , hasd my right side of my bowel and my appendix,and a small part of my intestine taken away. All I can say is good luck ,and just take it easy after,just take small steps every day ,and you will recover well,and that tumour will be no more,and yes you will get your life back,and start to feel like you again. Time is a great healer. I wish you well and a great recovery.  

Jassoscared. Thank you for your kind regards   Sorry to hear what you went through but it’s great you are ok now  I just want this tumour out of me now fed up of not having a life  and always having to be near a toilet  it was such a shock when I got the news I have cancer never thought I would be faced with this like all of us you don’t   But I’m thinking positive to get my life back. I’m a music student have been for nearly 1 and a half year I’m a singer as well and this as over took every thing I couldn’t even think about playing my piano or even singing  just can’t wait to play again as I do play in front of a audiences  and sing as a backer with others. I’m 71 year old hope I have more years left yet  take care x

Hi again Tango Potter

Yes it is a shock when yout told you have cancer,i  got breast cancer ,in May 2020,my son had  at agev35 just before I found my lump ,was diognosed with testicular cancer,that floored me,and that's why I started checking my breasts ,I didn't kniw how to tell him and my daughter,as my husband thier dad committed suicide in 1997,so I found it hard telling them ,ecspeacialy as my sons had spread ,but I eventually did tell them .my son had opp and  chemotherapy, and is now all  clear and do8ng so well. So gratefull for that. I had lumpectomy, and all lympth nodes under my right arm removed as it had spread, to my lymoth nodes. I am on letrazole for 10 years ,so still got a few more years of taking it,but cancer in breadst has gone. I was then diognised with vin 3 pre cancerous cells of the vulva. I'm still seeing the gynecologist for that ,for the last two times they let me go a year, before another check up as said they have to keep an eye on it,as it can return. But hey ho,what can you do but just put your positive head on ,and live your life the best you can. How lovely for you to have the goal of playing and singing again,once this is all over and your on your way to recovery.  Singing is great,it lifts your soul,im always singing along to songs, although I'm OK,im not great at it lol. Anyway I do hope all goes well ,and your back to doing whst you love ,all in good time .