Hi V2020,

Back pain and abdominal pain are quite general symptoms but abdominal pain and passing blood are symptoms of bowel cancer, which explains the fast track referral. The target is to be seen within 2 weeks so I would have thought you'd hear about this soon.

there are lists of reason for finding blood it your stool and most people who get checked out won't have bowel cancer. But it's positive that a referral's been made.

Best wishes

Hi, firstly I'm so sorry to hear what your partner is going through. I'm in the exact same boat, getting seen tomorrow, tonight I am just totally unwell, breathless too and dull aches in tummy, I've been bleeding for around 2 years but only when I pass a large / hard stool so I just always put this down to previous fissures opening back up and prev piles. Symptoms are now affecting daily life and I'm so so scared. Seeing a consultant tomorrow. Even my glands in armpits hurt. I'm just a total mess :( I hope get some answers soon. Best wishes.

Hi everyone, and to Butterfly, I felt really shaky reading that as my armpits are very painful too.  My GP said it was just muscular but all my symptoms started the same time, its really painful under the arms.  I feel generally unwell, nausea, dull ache like pressure in stomach. 

I've been on esomaprazole for 10 years (after a previous scare which turned out to be nothing) but they are not stopping the stomach pain. I started passing blood last weekend in November, I thought it was just an upset stomach as it was bright red and I had diahorea, but after that became constipated, I have an odd "feeling" in bowels, and sometimes I can see darker blood in stools.  

So positive test for blood in stools, ESR and CPR raised.  I'm 57,my GP said I was too young for cancer I thought she was being really flippant - who thinks 57 is too young these boards are filled with sufferers of all ages!   She's put me on a non-urgent referral but I can't wait for that - currently due to have endoscopy on 6th Feb and Colonoscopy on 9th March so I was hoping to use my limited private insurance to try to bring it all forward.  I think tomorrow I might have to talk to GP again and see if I can get the 2 week pathway.

Utterly terrified - I'm not a calm or brave (and I am not fit or healthy) but misery loves company so I am sorry to see others here, but maybe we can all wait this out together!

One thing I failed to mention is the possibility of inflammatory bowel disease - that's crohns and colitis. Which does cause pain and bleeding which therefore can cause lethargy and tiredness.

[@Butterfly1987]‍  was your appointment today?  How did you get on?

Hi hun, yes colonoscopy scheduled for next Tuesday, he was quite concerned by my symptoms, luckily I have private medical so nice and quick. Even a week feels like forever! Unfortunately things have taken a downward turn tonight.....would you mind reading my latest post titled 'Huge Rectal Mass' and tell me what you think ? I can't sleep, just sat here in tears, don't know what to do or think, I'm so scared to the point of almost making myself sick :-( xx

OMG @Butterfly1987  - will go over to that post and then reply on that.

Hi! Just thought I would message you some hope! I had colonoscopy today after many months of exactly the same (plus more) symptoms as your partner. And the great news I've NOT got cancer!  I had two small internal hemorroids high up in my lower part of colon which are causing the bleeding and also looks like possibly an inflammatory condition like IBD. If you read my other post I put up today I've given an update on how it all went! Thought this might give you some reassurance xx

Hiya, I'm so sorry for the late reply, life's got me a little down recently, and I've not felt like myself not all to do with this! 
however  we went to the hospital the letter said colonoscopy surgery... we turned up... he went into to see the doctors was in there for all of 2 minutes he confirmed bloods all normal, weighed him and checked height then said you'll get a letter from us.... so today we had a letter for a CT colonoscopy virtual... why is it different to the first examination he was meant to have but didn't? Xx

Great news!

A massive worry gone in a flash after weeks of hell I bet.