A scared newbie

Hello Everyone

My name is Lee and I’m 45yrs old.

On January 28, I woke-up to a dull-ache in my lower abdomen. By January 31, I was in with my GP who gave me a physical, weighed-me (at my normal weight of 189lbs) and requested bloods. I asked him what organ was where I was experiencing the ache, and he said large bowel and asked if I had any family history of Bowel Cancer. I told him that one of my Mum’s brothers had died from it and that my Mum had been tested for the gene, which was negative. By Feb 3, I was 185lbs and by Feb 5, I was 183lbs. By this point I was constipated too, so I booked an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner for Feb 6 who prescribed me some Laxido. By Feb 7, I was pooing. :))

On Friday (8 Feb) I had my follow-on appointment with the GP, who confirmed that my bloods had come back fine and to discontinue with the Laxido. He wasn’t concerned about the weight loss as he said it was quite normal and within range, plus since all this started my appetite has been greatly reduced too. My GP told me that he was off next week, but booked me in to see him again on Feb 22 and put in a referral for me to have a tummy scan.

Over this past weekend, I’ve been experiencing episodes of what seems to be panic related breathlessness (I suffer from anxiety and I’m asthmatic) I’m constantly googling symptoms and I keep coming back to Lung And Bowel Cancer, where my symptoms slightly mirror what I’m experiencing: Abdominal-Ache, Weight-Loss, Lack of Appetite, Breathlessness and Constipation. On a personal level, my mind keeps wandering to another Uncle, who died only last month of aggressive Lung Cancer after only three weeks.

Yesterday (Sunday) My Anxiety was high. I felt that I couldn’t get a breath and my supply of inhalers weren’t working, so I went along to A&E where they checked my Obs, Oxygen and finally my lungs with a stethoscope, that were all okay. 

I came home and pottered about feeling better. Then later, I had another attack. I didn’t want to call the emergency services as I was only in A&E that morning. It just feels at the moment, my anxiety is currently on a permanent state of high alert and now I’m worried and afraid that the cancer is in my bowels and lungs and that I’m going the same way as my Uncle. It’s affecting my whole body, my eating, my sleeping, physically and mentally. I don’t know what else to do.

  • Happy to be here. Like you said, all your test are all negative, the camera will just be peace of mind and then you can move on.

    I did the same checking thing, its gross but I'm sure everyone does it.

    I have the gp tomorrow about what I can do about my initial symptom, I may well get told, thats just the way your body is right now. Though I will push for some further suggestions, rather than, thats just the way it is.

  • Let me know how you get on. :))

    After messaging you this morning, I got my referral letter from the hospital - June 18th

    I admit, I was quite surprised at how long off the appointment is. But, I spoke with the practice manager who I’ve known for years and she said that the GP had sent it through as a non-urgent referral.

    But, people have been reassuring me, saying that when I had my appointment with the GP last week, everything was fine. The bloods, the stools, the weight. That’s why the referral is non-urgent. But the practice said, if I wanted to bring it forward they will look into it and liaise with me. In the meantime, I must check my appointment online too to see if there are any cancellations to also bring it forward.  

    I just thought JUNE. . . really. :))

    Lee

  • In one way thats good because the doc clearly doesn't think its urgent, but they are aware how anxious this has made you, I'm surprised they didn't make it sooner, just because of that. Personally because I wanted that peace of mind, I'd phone for cancellations, even after my test too were clear. You just want that final sign off.

    My GP today said he has no idea what is causing my symptoms, they've tested for everything. I suggested the only change for me in the last year is taking heartburn medication, so he's trying me on a different one. If that doesnt solve it, then its tough, I just have to hope it goes away in the same way it suddenly started

  • Got an update on the referral. 

    Following my call to the Practice yesterday, they called me back today to say that they have brought the referral forward to May 8th. Which is a bit better than June 18th. I explained that June did seem a long way off and that my anxiety was taking a battering to which she sympathised and hoped I was happier with the update. 

    But like you and everyone else my end have said, if in any way the GP thought it was urgent and/or was worried about anything the referral would have been requested sooner. 

    With regards to your condition, what symptoms have you been experiencing? Is there anything else the GP can do or suggest?

     

  • Thats a bit closer and you could always keep ringing for cancellations. 

    My main symptom is bleeding and mucus (gross I know), but you can see why bowel cancer was my main concern. I have been tested for everything the GP can think of, which I guess rules out everything nasty. Its not life changing of course, and is minor but I'd rather it stops. Starting on the new heartburn tablet today, so fingers crossed that might be the cause, if not, theres nothing else the doc can suggest.

  • Afternoon Grillz. 

    Do keep me updated on how you get on with the tablets. I’ve come to enjoy our correspondence. This truly is a wonderful site to offload and make some (online) friends in the process. It’s just a shame that you’ve out-tested the GP, but do keep on their case if in any way your not happy. 

    More news on the referral front. 

    Initially, the hospital told me to keep checking online for cancellations and this morning I logged on and saw one for April 11, so I thought ‘Ooh I’ll have that’. My folks told me to keep checking as I may get one for March. Hahaha. 

     

     

  • Thats good news, I agree with your folks, keep ringing anyway, but even if there aren't any cancellations, Aprils a lot better than June. This really is a great site to talk to people.

    Day 2 of the tablets, I hope to see a difference, you dont expect a GP to say, "I dunno"....

    I'm also trying to be healthier in my eating, so maybe that could help.

    I'll keep you posted :)

  • I spoke briefly with the gastrointestinal department at the hospital yesterday and they told me to keep checking online as cancellations for March will start to appear.

    It’s just the abdo-ache now. I can’t describe it, it comes and goes. Like a ‘pulling/shooting’ ache. I’m not clutching myself in agony, it’s just there. But as everyone has said, I’ve had tests galore and everything came back fine. Plus if there was ANY thing untoward the Docs would have referred me a lot sooner. 

    You might have guessed I’m not the most patient of patients. :))

    But, I’ll keep you posted on the referrals. 

    Meantime, how’s the tablets and eating going?!?

     

  • Is handy you can check online, you might be seen a lot soon than you think and you won't feel like you're pestering. Does eating seem to bring on the ache or is it random?

    Not noticed any change yet, but its only been a couple of days, so fingers crossed :)

  • Hello Grillz. 

    Hows those tablets going, any effect?!?

    The ache comes and goes. It’s not a crippling ache, more of a dull-ache (like a mild stitch). Of course, I’m more aware of it than usual, but then I suppose that’s to be expected. 

    The bowel movements are regular (for me), no sign of anything untoward. I am a tad windy, but I’m eating fine and dare I say a little bit gluttonous on occasions. But apart from that keeping a degree of normality. 

    Lee