Cancer Research UK main site

33, Bowel Scare

hantsalex
Offline

Hello everyone,

I'm posting on here because I'm not really quite sure where to offload.

I'm 33 years old, male. Generally fit and well - just ever so slightly overweight according to the BMI for my height/weight. Never had significant health problems.

I started having some aching under my right ribs a few months ago; it started to go around to my back (where my kidneys are). I had an ultrasound a few years ago which discovered a bit of fatty liver so I put it down to that playing up. Then I started to notice a bit of a change in my bowel habits - just going a bit more, softer poos. But I thought, best not ignore it, get to the GP. Unfortunately I'm a bit of a hypochondriac - and it turns out that my GP practice had picked up on this. I got a letter through after I submitted my query to the GP saying that "I had been submitting too many clinical requests" on their systems and that I would be "taken off their books" if I continued to do so.

I was mortified. I'd never intended to do that - but I knew my hypochondriac had probably got the better of me. Looking back I had submitted six requests in the space of a month. So when I started getting blood in my poo I felt very hesitant about getting in touch with the doctors. I thought I was overreacting (maybe it was something I ate, or I'm seeing things?). My partner insisted, after looking at the NHS guidance, that I tell the GP. But I delayed again. Instead I obtained one of those rapid bowel health tests from Boots. I know they're not as accurate as the GP ones.

I did it this morning and it came back positive. I felt a bit validated at least. And then I decided - I have to tell the GP.

Surprisingly I heard right back. And tomorrow I've been asked to come straight in for a further physical exam and a proper FIT test. I'm rather worried - I don't really know my biological father and so there's a big "blank" about whether a family history of bowel cancer exists on my paternal side. What I do know is that many men on that side apparently died prematurely.

I'm feeling very lonely at the moment. I feel like I have to apologise to the GP tomorrow if everything comes back negative. I'm just so confused.

Sorry for the rambling.

Take care everyone

A

  • Offline

    Hi A, it's understandable that you are scared and confused right now but you do not need to apologise for desperately wanting to live. It's the GP's job to treat people, don't let anyone brush you off when you know there is something wrong. Stay strong and keep fighting. 

  • Offline in reply to Calico_Panda

    Thank you for your lovely response. I had a really bad 24 hours. I started having really bad abdominal pains which got progressively worse, and so I thought I'd call 111. They suggested I had to get to the hospital "within the hour". Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, I couldn't get seen until the birds started singing again the next morning. The doctors at the hospital couldn't work out what was wrong but said I had to see my GP for the FIT test to rule out anything sinister - despite my asking if they could do it at the hospital which I understand they couldn't do. I hadn't slept at all by the time my appointment with the GP came up this morning and so I had to let the surgery know and cancel it for someone else to take. I feel so stupid for doing that but I have contacted the surgery to try and re-schedule it. I'm still waiting for a response from them. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.