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..

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Hi James, wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and sending gentle hugs and positive vibes x

Afternoon.

We must have a connection as I as thinking about you today. How are things?

James4000 hi James how is things going. Always thinking of you  hope your improving every day lots of love  Geri x

Morning Kate, Geri and everyone else still reading.

Quick updates from me (most details above).

I've had a couple more scans (MRI and CT, I think). Yesterday I had a port fitted under sedation (I'm told this may be better for me than the Picc line I had before). It aches a bit but I think that should pass. It does stress me out though.

On my way to hospital to start new load of chemo. Cycle 1 of 6 today (or 7 of 12 in my case). It should just be a 'belt and braces' approach to make sure no dodgy cells are left. I guess I just have to get through it, but it's all getting a bit relentless.

Trying to keep myself distracted, and enjoy other things, and to get fitter again after surgery etc - mostly lots of walking, as Im worried to exercise too strenuously.

Hope everyone else is doing ok, getting along the paths of treatment.

Morning James, relentless and overwhelming are descriptions used by so many people in your situation.. I am sure once the post-op trauma from the Port settles down you will feel a little more comfortble. Walking and any mental distraction ( within your comfort range) really are vital for your well-being. Be kind to yourself and know I am thinking of you, sending love and healing hugs

Sharing a little positivity with you and those on this journey..

A 5 year old member of my extended family, will be ringing the bell   on Saturday, to mark the end of her treatment.. 30 gruelling months.

My precious cousin had an 'all clear' from her latest PET scan yesterday following months of chemo, surgery, radiation and many C.T and MRI...

So hang on in there, it is a long dark tunnel but keep looking forward to emerging into the sun again xx

Morning

Onto round 3 (or 9/12) of chemo. Forst 2 pretty tough. Meds dona bit but they say they'll reduce my dose for r4 as my symptoms are pretty bad

Hi James good to hear from you, been thinking about you.. really hope a reduction in the meds will ease your symptoms and you will soon be feeling a little better.. will be thinking of you and sending love xx

Hi James really good to hear from you  hope every thing turns better for you   I’m sure you will soon be feeling a lot better  you will get there James   Sending lots of love and you are always in my thoughts.    Geri 

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

I hope you are all doing well and that 2026 brings you health, good news and happiness.

My journey has been almost exactly a year. I was diagnosed on New Year's Eve 2024 with a colonoscopy. A year and 3 days later (tomorrow morning) I will be in hospital for maybe the 50th time to have my stoma/ileostomy reversed by rh wonderful surgeon who removed my tumour back in July.

It's been the hardest year of my life, but I am so grateful to be where I am now, and for the incredible support I've had, from over 100 medical professionals, from my family, friends and colleagues, and from this forum- which was a Godsend in the early months.

I am apprehensive about tomorrow but looking forward to being back to 'normal' very soon.

Wishing you all the very best in your own journeys. If anything I can share from my own experience might help you in some small way, please do reach out.

Much love

Happy New Year to you to James4000,. Sending you best wishes for your bowel reverse opperation ,hope it all goes well for you you will be looked after very well. Just take care ,and dont push ypurself too hard you will get there ,youve beem through sooopo much  and this will hopefully be the last hurdle to get through ,and get back to feeling like yourself again. X

Happy New Year to you to James4000,. Sending you best wishes for your bowel reverse opperation ,hope it all goes well for you you will be looked after very well. Just take care ,and dont push ypurself too hard you will get there ,youve beem through sooopo much  and this will hopefully be the last hurdle to get through ,and get back to feeling like yourself again. X