Hi Chris and welcome to the forum.

I'm very sorry about the symptoms you've been experiencing and that your test results came back abnormal. I know this will be a worrying time until you know more but I hope it helps to know that 9 out of 10 people who are urgently referred are not diagnosed with cancer.

Hopefully some of our members who have been on this journey will be along soon to offer their support and advice but whilst you wait I hope these self help tips I've found for managing health anxiety will help put your mind at ease. You can also find some useful resources and advice on Anxiety UK.

Fingers crossed everything will turn out to be o.k Chris.

All the best,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Many thanks for replying Steph.

It would be good to connect with any members that have been through the same process. I feel a bit alone at present. 

Chris. 

Hi there hope you are ok. I've just had a calprotectin test of 120, have to repeat it in a few weeks but I'm really worried. I went to GP originally with blood on my stool and a few tears that seem to bleed. Did the stool sample as thought I had IBS. But since my levels have come back raised it seems it could be something worse :cry: xx

Hi Charl123

It's a strange time. Kind of feel that life is currently on hold and in limbo, until the consultation and then potentially colonoscopy. I say potentially as my symptoms that I originally went to the Drs about are starting to subside.

I'm really hoping it was a really rough case of Campylobacter and that has led to some inflammation? Who knows?  I suspect the consultant will still want to have a look. 

Regards

Chris

Hi how are you getting on? Hope you're ok x

Oh hopefully once Friday is over you should feel more reassurance and then your symptoms will settle! 
I'm just waiting for the results of my repeat stool sample and my symptoms have flared up again, like you, I wonder if it's due to the anxiety! Fingers crossed led my inflammation levels will have reduced so I can just stop worrying! Keep me updated about your colonoscopy, fingers crossed it all goes well for you x

I will post an update, I'm sure anxiety is not helping at all.

I hope you get some reduction in your inflammation values in the repeat test.

Chris x

Hi Charl123

Just had my colonoscopy. Relieved to say it was all clear. Biopsies taken to check for any IBDs. 

Procedure itself is uncomfortable, a bit like a severe case of trapped wind. I would recommend sedation and gas and air for the painful bits. You can still talk and communicate and watch everything on the screen. It's actually really interesting. I asked far too many questions. 

Prep is what it is....4 litres of laxatives (if klean prep). I mixed mine with a little lemon cordial and it made it palatable. Then chased it with a bit of lucozade.

In my case it looks like a bad dose of campylobacter has messed with my bowels a bit and screwed everything up. 

Hopefully your results come back soon. Remember mine were fit 11.2 and calprotectin 175 so elevated levels are not always the end of the world. 

Regards

Chris

Hi! Thank you for sharing your good news! Fantastic. 
so happy for you- you must feel relieved? 

so were you poorly with campylobacter? 
they didn't detect any bacteria in my stools that I'm aware of. Xx