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Urgent colonoscopy referral

Charlottechloe
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I have been poorly for 18 months finally after going back and forth for weeks to my gp and A&E they finally decided to refer me on the urgent colonoscopy two week pathway and I'm terrified, I have a strange knot feeling in my colon area that contacts and I can actually feel the area tighten if I touch the area and then it goes away, very small soft stools that I have to go to the toilet multiple times a day to pass. A feeling of constantly needing the toilet 3-4 episodes of filling the toilet with blood. Intense abdominal pain similar to appendix pain and tiredness. Bloating and mucus in my stool and weight loss plus vomiting and flu like feeling. I have had bloods and calprotecin test and ultrasound which came back okay. 
but I literally have every single symptom of bowel cancer there could be, I'm utterly terrified about what the colonoscopy will find as a young mum of 2 and 29 years old this feels like an absolute nightmare. 
my anxiety is through the roof and it actually wakes me up f I try to sleep, I've felt that unwell I've barely left the house in 3 weeks. 

I would love to be able to speak to someone or make friends with others in a similar situation as most people don't seem to realise how scared and unwell I'm feeling including my partner who just says it will be fine it'll just be piles etc, and deep down I have a terrible feeling something is badly wrong. I just wish my GP had listened to my concerns when my symptoms first started or that I had advocated for myself better at the start as I feel like now it's been left outcome isn't going to be a good one. I have a private consultation with a colo rectral specialist tomorrow and I'm just hoping that this provides some reassurance while I wait for my urgent referral.

Charl x

  • Offline in reply to Charlottechloe

    No not had anything yet as she only rang me today, have you? 
    I had a scan in September and she rang me a week later and I had to have a CA125 test as well as the FIT test. I know something isn't right but I'm anaemic and I just put stuff down to that and stress. The colon cancer has shocked me to be honest. I haven't seen any blood. 

    im really nervous, its like I have a gut feeling something is wrong! Is that how you feel? 
     

     

  • Offline in reply to Stacylou33

    So today Iv had a phone call asking would I be available to have a consultation with a Dr tonight at 7.30. I thought I would be going straight for colonoscopy x

  • Offline in reply to Stacylou33

    I had a call from the hospital today but I missed it because I was on the train with no reception. Did you get a telephone consultation. 
    I actually had a private consultation with a specialist that I paid for earlier today in person and he was lovely and really put my mind at rest. How did yours go? X

  • Offline in reply to Charlottechloe

    Oh that's good glad he made you feel better. Yes I had the consultation he said my Fit test was significantly high and a camera is the best thing for me. Just a waiting game now for a date, hope your ok x

  • Offline in reply to Stacylou33

    My colonoscopy is booked for next Thursday so I really don't have too much time to worry about it now, actually I feel so much better than finally I will get to know one way or another. 
    did you say you had noticed blood in the toilet or not? I think they've decided not to do a fit test and go straight for the colonoscopy for me. 
    I'm sure you'll get your appointment in the next few days they'll likely ring you rather than sending you a letter as that's what I was told and sure enough it was booked through a phone call so make sure your mobile is on loud mode and your next of kin number is on file as they also tried to contact my partner when I was out of reception x

  • Offline in reply to Charlottechloe

    Ahh that's good you have a date, I really hope I get mine soon. Just so I can prepare, I have 2 children. 
    yes I had a fit test, Iv not noticed any blood but apparently it was high at 400 for occult blood, I am anaemic also but Originally went in about my ovaries and come away worrying about my colon! 
    At least we will both get answers soon. 
     

    good luck with it all x

  • Offline in reply to Stacylou33

    My consultant said because I'd actually seen blood there was no point in doing a fit test it would inevitably be positive so straight to the colonoscopy I go 4 days before my birthday so happy birthday to me I guess haha. 
    how are you holding up? X

  • Offline

    Hi

     

    I suffer with Endometriosis so up until now all my bowel issues were put down to that, however, after a hysterectomy in june I have lost three stone, am going to the loo more than ten times a day and abdominal pain is severe.  At a follow up meeting with my consultant post op she rushed me for bloods and referred me for colonoscopy, like you putting me on the pathway.

     

    My results should be in next week and it is terribly stressful.  The worst thing to do is google symptoms As we will always alugn our symptoms to the worst outcome.

     

    My dad passed away from bowel cancer two years ago and my mum has diverticulitis so I convinced myse lf my resu lts will be negative, however, Colitis has many similar symptoms to bowel cancer.  I am now trying my best to not worry until I know what I am worrying about.

     

    being told you are on the "cancer pathway" is scary but in reality it means that you are being treated as quickly as possible.to rule cancer out and from there work towards diagnosis of symptoms, with that in mind, we are lucky we are being investigated to quickly and compassionatley, in the knowledge this is a process to rule out the worst case.

     

    I hope it all goes well for you, in the meantime, you are not on your own and your worries are not unfounded.

     

    C

  • Offline in reply to MrsCoffs

    Sorry to hear that yiure going through so thing similar, what tests have had done so far? And do you have a date for your colonoscopy yet? My blood tests and calprotecin tests came back fine, plus my unteasound of abdomen and ovaries. I've had endometriosis mentioned to me but although I do get painful periods and have to go to the toilet a lot of times on the first day or two if my period my bowel symptoms don't seem to be cycle related x

  • Offline in reply to Charlottechloe

    I'm ok, I'm trying to be positive, I'm thinking worst case maybe IBD it clicked before that my stools have been noticeably dark I remember thinking it 1 day but just brushed it off because with mum life a hyperactive 7 year old and 2 jobs I just haven't had time to think, it's been a stressful year so Iv put my symptoms down to other things but now I'm mad that I haven't listened to my body! 
    I passed a stool before and it was so dark (clearly must be due blood) and covered in yellow and orange mucus. I'm lucky the Dr asked me to do the test really because I was thinking my problems was gynae. 
    I just wish I had a date, I'm still waiting. I'm glad you will have yours over and done with soon. I'm sorry it's near your birthday! Deffo not what you need, but hopefully this time next week you will have answers x

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