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IBS / Colon cancer?

hsoln
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I would like to start off by disclaiming that I am in no means looking to offend or upset anyone dealing with cancer on this forum, I am just so lost and worried and looking for answers/advice.

I’m 18 years old, F, and i’ve been experiencing IBS symptoms for almost 3 years now. This would include consistent change in stool habits, bleeding, mucus, gas, however i don’t get pain. I don’t get bloating. I should mention that i do have an anxiety disorder which would make sense towards my diagnosis of IBS. However, i’m concerned. I tried the FODMAP diet and am still on it and my stools are hardly getting better. Also, i have a lot of blood on the tissue paper. not a small amount. I don’t have any pain and i’ve had an examination telling me that there are no hemmeroids. I’ve also been taking mebeverine occasionally but i’ll admit i’m bad with the routine of taking it. 

 

im just concerned and anxious because my doctors keep telling me it’s nothing, i had a stool test and it came back normal. But i simply cant find anything online about IBS causing blood. 

i have many reasons to have anxiety right now, i’m taking exams in a few weeks. That’s another reason i’m worried to get help with this as i’m worried it’ll clash with exams. Has anyone experienced an anything similar?

I know it’s unbelieably rare to get colon cancer at this age but nothing is putting my mind at ease now. I am constipated almost all the time and i get blood. Any explanations? It’s bank holiday weekend so i won’t be able to contact my GP until tuesday.

 

Many thanks in advance 

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    Hi hsoln.  You've posted on the Ask The Nurses section of the forum, but they won't be back until Tuesday.

    There's a useful and reassuring article on rectal bleeding here: Rectal bleeding. Note that piles are just one possible cause, but there are others. You are also aged only 18. This make bowel cancer a very unlikely possibility.

    I'm not a doctor but I have suffered with IBS for over 40 years.  I've had all the symptoms you have, plus my bum has been raw from all the wiping that I've frequently had blood on the toilet paper. If you think this might be the case then ask your doctor whether or not an ointment such as Scheriproct might help you. 

    You didn't say how long you've been on the FODMAP diet, and whether or not you've got professional supervision and support.  I think it's too difficult to try the diet without support and supervision.  You need to exclude all possible triggers for a period of months to allow time for your symptoms to settle. If they haven't settled in a few months then I think you need to double check everything you're eating, because it is quite possible to get mixed up and eat an item that should be excluded.  If you can't find what it might be then consult the person who is supervising you. 

    You really do need to get in the habit of taking the Mebeverine 30 mins or so before every meal.  Taking it irregularly won't really help you control your symptoms. When things are bad, you could also try Aloe Vera juice (about 20 mls as required).  I also find all forms of peppermint helped, too. 

    I think if you can find the foods which are triggering your symptoms then the situation might looks a lot different.  I urge you to continue with the FODMAP exclusions; check everything that you're eating and make sure you're not eating something you shouldn't. 

    Best wishes. 

  • Offline in reply to telemando

    Hi telemando

    Thank you so much for your response and I see that I added to the wrong section! Thank you! 

     

    I will check it out now. 

  • Offline in reply to hsoln

    Hi. It wasn't the wrong section; you're perfectly entitled to post there. However, they don't work weekends and bank holidays and I didn't want you to hang around until Tuesday when you're obviously in an anxious state. 

  • Hello and thanks for posting on the forum,

    I am so sorry that you are feeling so anxious.  It can't be helped by your exams coming up. I do hope that you managed to speak to your doctor today. Mention to the doctor that you have some blood when you have a bowel motion.  It maybe as a result of straining if you are slightly constipated. If you doctor was at all concerned then I am sure they would consider referring you to a gastroenterologist for further investigations. 

    As you said yourself colon cancer is extremely rare at your age.  Bowel cancer is normally a cancer of much older people. If your doctor thinks that you have  IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), this can be brought on by stress.  There is some information written by the NHS on IBS and tips to manage this condition.  Have a look here

    There is some more information on tips to manage IBS which you can look at here

    I am not sure whether your doctor maybe able to refer you to a dietitian.  In the meanwhile it might be a good idea to keep a food diary so you can get an idea what particular foods seem to upset your stomach.

    You say that you are feeling anxious.  When anxiety seems to be taking over our lives it sometimes helps to try and see if there are ways to help manage this condition. Could you talk to your GP about how you are feeling. Your doctor may be able to refer you for some  CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). There is some information written by the NHS about this treatment which you can look at here.

    There is also some information called Moodzone about helping yourself managing stressful situations with tips and guides on self help   Have a look here

    There is also a charity called AnxietyUK.  They have a helpline and have tips on managing anxiety.  Have a look here

    I do hope that your symptoms get better soon.

    Best Wishes,

    Catherine

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