Hi RoFr-169,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to read about your worries although I can understand it is unsettling when there are unexplained symptoms. However try to trust what the doctor has told you so far and the fact that the tests were clear. It's good that you've been referred to a specialist as this will hopefully give you an opportunity to get some answers as well as to discuss any concerns. Try not to assume anything or to connect what happened with your family to your current situation as it sounds like there's no reason to assume there's a link.

WIshing you all the best and I hope you're able to find out more soon,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Sorry you're having all of these problems. Left sided abdo pain is often associated with constipation , which is often associated with Irritable bowel syndrome.It's very common. Far more common than any sort of cancer and the negative test results are a good sign.:happy:

Remember that even though you might open your bowels daily, you can still be constipated as the definition of constipation includes having to strain or passing hard stools. If you can see the shape of your intestines on your stool, then it's too hard. Try googling "Bristol stool chart".

Narrow stools might be that there's some stool bypassing a harder stool that's sitting higher up in your bowel.

I suffer from constipation. One day everything can be hunky dory, and then the next I have left sided or central (around tummy button) discomfort and sometimes back ache and don't go! Over the last 15 years I've ended up in A/E because the pain was so bad I thought something else was going on. An X Ray on one occasion showed  I was constipated high up near my tummy button and I needed a micro enema. It's usually because I've become dehydrated either because i've exercised and not drunk enough, it's been hot or I've just not drunk enough water. Having said that, I'm aslo more prone if I've been sitting around a lot. I eat loads of veg and high fibre food, but it's hydration that seems to make the difference with me. I carry water with me whenever we go out.

Your urine should be a  light champagne colour and if you pinch the skin on the back of your hand, it should go back down immediately. If it takes a few seconds then you're probably dehydrated.

Regardless of what the issue is, dehydration isn't a good think and a lot of people don't drink enough. Caffeine in tea and coffee is a diuretic, so more likely to become dehydrated if you drink a lot and no water.

Did your GP offer any advice, ie stool softeners, increasing fluid/fibre intake?