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..

.

James 4000 hi James I’m doing really well and stronger every day nice to get some normality in my life  I’m feeling more like my old self before all this  I’m still a little sore across my pelvis  he did key hole but the tumour was quite big so had to remove the tumour with a larger incision  but I’m so thank full he got it all  the tumour size was 21 cm  so happy things are going well for you James I’m always thinking about you  please always keep us posted   Lots of love to you.  Geri x 

Hi thanku so much for your reply and advice, much appreciated Jassoscared.. we have hospital transport here in South Lanarkshire very limited and time restricted.  I have osteoarthritis which affects my ability to travel due to pain. I also have M.E which causes light and noise sensitivity making any hospital appointment stressful. .. I use a very good company for hospital appts but this is outside of their area and 9 am is impossible for me..the overwhelming exhaustion means it takes a couple of hours to be functioning after disturbed sleep.. I really appreciate your advice, thanku

James thanku so much for your special offer, your care and support is greatly appreciated  I use a driver/assistance company for hospital appointments who are wonderful.  The added problem in this case is the journey to  Airdrie,  although only 15 miles away, can take an hour due to traffic,  causing me severe pain.  When the referral was made I was asked if I would be willing to travel and explained the situation,  it was noted that I was only able to accept my local hospital  [ 15 minutes away] I  have an appointment with my GP next week and ask his advice.. thanku James x

Have the best day possible,  I am thinking of you x 

Hi James,  wanted you to know I'm thinking of you x 

Hi there, hope you're doing ok [ as well as you can]  had to resort to hospital transport for my ultrasound next week, no option.. I will be collected anytime after 8 am [ appt 11.30]  with no idea of when I will be back home... my M.E and osteoarthritis don't cope well with the noise/lights and lack of supportive seating but...I had to decline 2 appts due to the time and distance offered.  So last offer from NHS ..3 strikes and you're removed from waiting list..

Take care 

Thank you.

I try to stay positive, and generally manage that. The last couple of days since the weekend though, I've been pretty low. Maybe I've moved to through the phase of getting used to treatment to being fed up with it, and also apprehensive about what's next, and the extent to which the treatment is working.

One day at a time, I guess.

How  have you been getting on with your scans? I hope all going OK and they've managed to find a way to make it all work for you. 

Thanku James, had my CT last week,  GP 2moro and Ultrasound next week... hoping for some answers either from the colorectal [CT following colonoscopy/biopsies]  or the mass at the top of my arm [ Ultrasound]... seeing GP to update him on my symptoms   pain is overwhelming...

I can only imagine your emotions at this time, it is part of the journey I understand from my cousin who is beginning radiotherapy in a couple of weeks.. 6 months of chemo followed by surgery and preparing for the next stage..

I'm sending positive vibes and very gentle hugs   to you and your family x

Hi James, just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and hoping life is being kind to you  

Take care 

Kate

Hi Kate

Thinking of you too.

I'm doing really well, touch wood. I think the cumulative effect of chemo was evident for me in round 5 of 6. I've seen others mention this can happen. But to reassure anyone reading this, in my case at least, it still hasn't been too bad. I work full time and whilst I've had ti more of it from home, and im running at maybe 85% of my normal hours across any given fortnight, im still working. Main thin for me has been chemo side effects, roughly in order: fatigue and lethargy, headache, queasiness (but never actually feeling like id actually be sick), cold sensitivity. So, all in all, it's been a different kind of feeling unwell but not as bad as, say, flu.

One more round to go. Oncologists are confident. I have scans booked in a week or so, then on to next steps. Daunting but also quietly optimistic.

How are you doing, Kate? I hope they have some encouraging news for you from the CT, Ultrasound and biopsies, and soon come up with a treatment plan.

Morning James   so good to hear you are maintaining your positive mindset, invaluable ( in my opinion)  for anyone undergoing and experiencing health issues.. I'm a great believer in ' mind over matter' .. digging deep, finding our mental strength to take control and cope with the physical impact on our body...has stood me in great stead throughout my life, well done to you James

My CT scan results showed cysts on liver and kidney...watch and wait will be seen by my colorectal consultant, meanwhile symptoms remain the same...

Had my ultrasound on Tues now the referral will be implemented to Orthopedic consultant in regards to the mass at the top of my arm..

Saw GP 10 days ago as a follow up to my appt in March re bone pain. FBC and specific bloods taken along with urine protein test for light chains, he is concerned about ( possible) Myeloma... 

Bloods returned Vit D deficiency, so 4 month scrip Cholecalciferol then repeat unsurprised as I've been homebound since 2019 my ME causes severe light/heat sensitivity along with the physical imp t.. I had hoped the lack of daylight and sunshine would be supplemented by the past 40 years of from Aus and the Caribbean Islands but obviously not  I've used it all up

So, we soldier on my friend it is so good to hear from you and I hope that others reading your positive comments will take heart and strength 

Take care James, sending very best wishes xx

Morning James   so good to hear you are maintaining your positive mindset, invaluable ( in my opinion)  for anyone undergoing and experiencing health issues.. I'm a great believer in ' mind over matter' .. digging deep, finding our mental strength to take control and cope with the physical impact on our body...has stood me in great stead throughout my life, well done to you James

My CT scan results showed cysts on liver and kidney...watch and wait will be seen by my colorectal consultant, meanwhile symptoms remain the same...

Had my ultrasound on Tues now the referral will be implemented to Orthopedic consultant in regards to the mass at the top of my arm..

Saw GP 10 days ago as a follow up to my appt in March re bone pain. FBC and specific bloods taken along with urine protein test for light chains, he is concerned about ( possible) Myeloma... 

Bloods returned Vit D deficiency, so 4 month scrip Cholecalciferol then repeat unsurprised as I've been homebound since 2019 my ME causes severe light/heat sensitivity along with the physical imp t.. I had hoped the lack of daylight and sunshine would be supplemented by the past 40 years of from Aus and the Caribbean Islands but obviously not  I've used it all up

So, we soldier on my friend it is so good to hear from you and I hope that others reading your positive comments will take heart and strength 

Take care James, sending very best wishes xx