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Got a colonoscopy. Sooooo scared

Hayz85
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Hi,

Am so scared. I've been feeling unwell for me months now. With my bowel movement been up and down, piles like symptoms  and even lost some weight and been hit really bad with anxiety. It's causes me to have so much time off work. 

Am constantly looking on Internet, which make my anxiety even worse. Ive been back and forwarded to the doctors. Had blood test that came ok a part from some with my liver. Had to be retested for that, I had it go back down to normal level but something else has gone up, so again in a few weeks. I had a FIT test, which came back normal. Then I had another stool sample to test for IBD that came back normal too. But am still having problems so the next thing is a colonoscopy. Which i found ive got appointment on 10th June. 

To say am scared it'sunstatement. I really what to know what it is but am so frightened what they will found. Especially as I lose my brother from throat cancer a year and half ago. Plus I don't want my family do go through that again,Especially my mum who still getting over the lost of my brother. 

Am trying to stay positive, but the more as it goes on them I've convinced some serious wrong.

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    Hi Hayz85, 

    It is normal to have those feeling and to convince yourself that there might be something wrong that explains your symptoms but there are so many other bowel conditions that it's best not to anticipate what it might be and to stay well away from the internet as it will not be able to tell you what is going on and googling symptoms will only make you more anxious and fear the worst without any good reason to do so. It's good news that your FIT test and blood tests were normal as well as your stool sample  and one thing the colonoscopy will give you is complete clarity and hopefully reassurance as it is the ultimate test to find out what is causing your bowel issues. You can find out more information on our website on the colonoscopy which I hope you will find useful. 

    Not long to wait now until your appointment on the 10th of June but these days of waiting and all the preparation ahead of the colonoscopy can be a bit stressful and draining so I thought I would share with you these great coping strategies to help you keep calmer while waiting for the test. 

    I've also just responded to another member who was being fast tracked for a colonoscopy so it might help to talk to someone else who is going through something similar. Have a look at  's thread on this page and don't hesitate to drop them a line if you wish to do so. 

    Best of luck for the 10th - I hope it all goes well. It will all soon be done and dusted and hopefully you will get some reassuring news - everything tightly crossed for you! 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hey

          I am also highly anxious about my colonoscopy which actually is a day after yours on the 11th June, I had a postive fit test albeit reading 20 and the limit is 10, the doctor felt what he seemed was a small lump under my rib cage which aches when pressed (usually if a tumour it is hard and does not move), I have been freaking out since with unbearable anxiety and stress, I just want the test over with and praying it is good news. Good luck for your colonoscopy on Tuesday!

  • Offline in reply to Baggiesfan1968

    Hi,

    It so scary isn't it. I keep thinking about cancelling the appointment because am so frightened of what they going to find as it been going on for months now and so convinced it something serious as it got better. But then I need to know so I they can treat it.  It's really affecting my work and social life now. Just want to go back to my normal self again. I wish all the best for your appointment on Wednesday and keep everything crossed for you.

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hi Lucie,

    Thank you for replying. And all you kind and positive words. 

    Am really trying my hards to stay positive, but as the appointment get closer, it making the worry worse. As I convinced myself that it's something serious as am not getting any better. I keep thinking about cancelling the appointment as am so scary to find out what the result. But if I don’t cancel then they can tell me what and maybe treat it.

    Am trying not to keep going on the Internet but just can't help it.

    I just want to got back to my normal self again. It's really effecting my work and social life. I keep looking at pictures of myself and memory come up on my Facebook and I was so happy and going he there but now I keep thinking that am never going to that way again.

  • Offline in reply to Hayz85

    Yes Lucie probably the most scariest experiences of my life so far even after a few stomach surgeries. I think personally we need to know what it is either way, otherwise the anxiety will never go away and if it is serious then we have not delayed it any longer. I am quite pessimistic so always think the worse case scenario it is just me and definitely not helped by constant goggling my symptoms. I wish you all the best for Tuesday hopefully both of us will be relaxed by Thursday next week. Best wishes 

  • Offline in reply to Hayz85

    Sorry I did write your name as Lucie apologies 

  • in reply to Baggiesfan1968

    Hi there

    I know exactly how you feel as I am in a right mess waiting for my CT scan results

    I have had tummy and bowel problems for 18 months now various tests carried out and nothing serious discovered. I have had 3 fit tests in the last 18 months all <4 I had a Calprotectin level 160 and low iron levels so I went back to my GP last Friday to discus my results. 

    The Doctor asked how I felt I was still in pain and he suggested I have a Colonoscopy which I agreed was a good idea and he told me that he was going to request me being seen in within two weeks and if I hadn’t heard anything after 3 weeks to contact the surgery. I was in the doctors office for exactly 7 minutes.

    I then received a text message from the surgery with a link to a referral I put my date of birth in and the referral came up as your cancer referral. I have been referred to Urgent suspected cancel lower GI assessment unit.
    at no time was Cancer mentioned during my GP appointment I also noticed that one of the questions said , Has the patient been counselled and they are being referred to a suspected cancer service and why ? my GP has said yes which is not true. The receptionist had added to my Heath Record Provision of written information about cancer (procedure) and in Highlighted large font in the NHS app it says Suspected Collateral Cancer.

    I have just sat in the living room googling my symptoms and each time the diagnosis get worse I just can’t stop doing it 

    The Collateral Cancer team rang me on Sunday  and said I would get an appointment for CT scan with contrast in the next 2 weeks on Monday they rang and said scan would be on Tuesday I went for the scan and they said I should hear within a week I am beside myself worrying I can’t get the feeling that they have found something on the scan 

  • Offline in reply to Baggiesfan1968

    And the same to you too on Wednesday. Fingers crossed we're finally get some answers. 

  • Offline in reply to Jane2025

    Have you been suffering from hemorrhoids ? 

  • Offline in reply to Jane2025

    Hi Jane its quite normal for the Doctor to write suspected cancer on your referral as this gets you seen quicker ,if they didn't put this you would most likely go onto the regular referral list and it could take months to be seen ,the Doctor obviously wants to rule out cancer as quickly as possible .

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