IBS or bowel cancer?

I thought I made a post a few days ago but I cant find it? Anyway, starting again...

About 4 years ago I started to get a extended stomach, especially when eating (I still do to this day). I've gained around 7kg in weight in those 4 years. Other symptoms were acid reflux (although I don't get that now), constant change in stools ie.. One day soft, next day rock hard, next day all fluffy, next day piles, next day diahrea, then back hard again,..etc. so they keep alternating, I've also get (although not lately) bright red dots of blood on the paper. I went to the GP, had a fecal test, blood test and it all came back fine so they diagnosed me with IBS. They adivised im way too young (31 at the time im 35 now) to have bowel cancer despite my nan and grandad (mothers side) both dying with bowel cancer at age 62 and 72.

Anyway, fast forward a number of years and im getting more and more concerned by my condition.

In the last 5 days my bowel habbits are still the same, but the colour is very much different. I am now pooping very dark (hard to class it has black, possible very very very dark brown) which I've never done before. When its this dark, its relatively hard and in the form of piles. It will also be accompanied with softer stool which is a normal light brown in colour. So the contrast each time I have a bowel movement is quite unique.

My diet has remained the same and nothing has changed in the last 5 days, hence my concern.

Obviously the first port of call should be a GP. Unfortunately its virtually impossible to get an appointment with my surgery. They now demand you call in at 8am (I cant as I am busy at that time), and on the rare ocassion when I could call in at 8am, the lines are so busy, I once got through after 25 mins to be told no appointments available.

So, i'd very much appreciate as much info from here if possible.

Parents
  • Hi sorry your going through all this. Go to your Dr's get checked out. I was told I had ibs. My symptoms changed  and I started to have acid reflux, eggy burps, occasional vomiting, gas, blood in stools. I went vegan. Did fodmap kept seeing Dr's. My bloods and a stool sample came back fine. Stool sample came back as showing no blood. There was though I'd told the Dr's several times. Anyways for me blood loss got worse and I was telephone diagnosed with piles.... I then sought out a new gp and surgery and went in with photos of what I was experiencing. 6 weeks later and I'm all lined up for surgery next week. Pop in to the Dr's speak to reception find out if there's another way to book (I found out I could book a gp appointment on line. So much easier!) get seen to. Never too young and it could be many things other than CRC but ya best making that appointment and be heard. Xxxx good luck to you hope it all gets resolved xxxx

  • Sorry to hear about your story, hopefully you've caught it in time, do keep the forum updated. If it helps in any way, my neighbour found blood in his stools some years ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, he's about 70 years old.. and... He won the fight. So there's plenty of hope. 

    Do you mind me asking your age? 

  • Hi J9y,

    I am suffering with the same problem. I have alternating (with blood) constipation, diarrhea, sometimes thin stools, sometimes larger stools, sometimes normal coloured, sometimes not! It’s been happening for about 2 weeks now. I’ve had abnormal pain too.  I’ve had blood tests (showed no signs of anemia or nothing abnormal) and awaiting a stool sample result! 

    Please try to visit your GP. You can book appointments online with my GP. Perhaps that’s something you could consider. My GP has a system where you have to call up at 8am - but try to call them for 8am and be persistent with it! You will get through! 

    Dandelios, how old are you? I’m sorry to hear. I wish you all the best. 

  • My understanding is that cancer doesn't really give you pain if symptoms have only just developed. That's normally IBS related from what I've read. I don't get pain at all other than bloated discomfort. Annoyingly IBS and bowel cancer symptoms seem to be quite similar. They say they're not linked, but both my grandparents had ibs and then followed bowel cancer.

    From that experience I'd say ibs, anxiety, stress, depression, diet, bowel cancer are related in some way. Just my personal opinion.

    I used to work for a good 7 years as a field engineer, as I was on the road often I'd eat mcdonalds or any fast food I found for many many years, back then I was fine. I was then made redundant and started eating healthy home food, it was soon after that when my stomach went nuts and I developed all these problems. So I'd say my diet has contributed to this, I was also bullied with my old employer, I ended up going to work hoping I'd have a crash or something, it got that bad to work for them due to the stress they piled on me, again, I believe that's contributed.

     

Reply
  • My understanding is that cancer doesn't really give you pain if symptoms have only just developed. That's normally IBS related from what I've read. I don't get pain at all other than bloated discomfort. Annoyingly IBS and bowel cancer symptoms seem to be quite similar. They say they're not linked, but both my grandparents had ibs and then followed bowel cancer.

    From that experience I'd say ibs, anxiety, stress, depression, diet, bowel cancer are related in some way. Just my personal opinion.

    I used to work for a good 7 years as a field engineer, as I was on the road often I'd eat mcdonalds or any fast food I found for many many years, back then I was fine. I was then made redundant and started eating healthy home food, it was soon after that when my stomach went nuts and I developed all these problems. So I'd say my diet has contributed to this, I was also bullied with my old employer, I ended up going to work hoping I'd have a crash or something, it got that bad to work for them due to the stress they piled on me, again, I believe that's contributed.

     

Children
No Data