2 week referral

greyduster 2 week referral is the norm for anything that could possibly be cancer. This does not mean your GP thinks it is cancer just that (along with many other symptoms) yours are symptoms of change of bowel habit. My DH had the same and I was concerned about the two week referral until it was explained to us. Do not worry on holiday, enjoy yourself. There are many things that could cause the symptoms you have. Relax on holiday knowing that when you get back you will be checked out and as with all things, the sooner you get them checked, the better chance you have of getting the right treatment.

harrigran hope you feel better soon

Good luck Greyduster. Enjoy hols.
Harrigran. Hope recovering from chemo.?

Glad all who have just had colonoscopy ok I have got results following mine biopsies neg this time a lot of diviticulitis though good luck with yours grey duster have a good holiday . Hope you not feeling too rough harrigran I was same always felt rough 2nd week look after yourself .

I never said "why me"? I am no different to anyone else and just had to find the strength to cope. This is a bad week for me, second chemo week is always draining and I have to lie down a lot. The saddest thing is I can not provide the childcare during the school holidays.
Enjoy your holiday Greyduster and try to put the procedure to the back of your mind for the duration. My sister had a colonoscopy last year and went on holiday less than 12 hours later, I thought she was brave to do the flight after being starved and purged.

It appears that it's not an exact science. The bowel nurse said to me this morning "we see people here whose symptoms make it almost certain that we will find something sinister and we find nothing, and people who present with a few benign symptoms who do prove to have a problem". And, happily, I will not have to rejig our childcare arrangements. Having read the literature I don't have to start taking the nasty laxative until after GS has gone home! ?.

Glad to hear that you are all getting the right treatments and investigations - good old NHS!

I have had several colonoscopies - I have IBS rather badly and every now and again a GP would get a bit twitchy about it. I have never had sedation for it and never felt in pain or even uncomfortable. The worst one was when they poked it up then took it straight out again as there was a small fragment of pink toilet paper on the end of the probe - did I feel like an idiot!!! And it was a friend of mine who was the nurse involved - she thought it was hilarious!

I hope all goes well for you both. Harrigran your words 'it never entered my head that I might have cancer' struck a chord with me. About 2 years ago, my DH went to the GP as he was getting up a lot in the night to go to the loo. He had tests and a biopsy for prostate cancer and when we went for the results, it never entered our heads that the doctor would say it was cancer, but he did. There is no cancer in his family and he lives quite a healthy lifestyle. It's such a shock to hear that word. It's not that we thought 'why us' - why not us?. He is doing really well now

Just an update - went to the hospital this morning for an assessment, and colonoscopy is on the 17th. Could have had it done next week but we are on holiday from this Saturday, so more or less straight away when we come back. I am going to try and forget about it until we come back, but I think it will be on DH's mind more than mine, and I am going to have to tell DD (which I didn't want to do) as we'll have to rejig child care arrangements. Hey ho!

nandalot very pleased to hear you had a good outcome - I was thinking about you today. ?

Harrigran, sorry to hear about your results but pleased that you are now getting the right treatment. All best wishes.?
Had my colonoscopy today and results were more of the diverticulosis I had before though symptoms had changed. Good luck to Greyduster and NonnaW. Not as bad as I had feared. Laxative part was as expected, and I didn't get any sleep last night. I opted for sedation as I was a bit stressed and my BP was going up a bit. Main discomfort was , how to put it delicately, wind, which made me wince involuntarily which made me feel a total wimp. Staff at the local hospital couldn't have been kinder and friendlier. Well done NHS. They even gave me pictures to take away so I now now what my colon looks like!

My DH had similar problems last Xmas and was booked in for urgent colonoscopy, which made us feel very twitchy particularly as DH has had treatment for prostate cancer. It revealed the problem as being Diverticulitis much to our relief. Your diagnosis could well be the same, so try not to worry! Easier said than done I know, but urgency doesn't necessarily mean serious. Good luck

I send you every good wish, harrigran.

Greyduster I now feel it is better to meet things head on, it never entered my head that I might have cancer, the diagnosis was a great shock but being a private patient the consultant was very kind.
I have had my chemo postponed for a week because of an infection but I am getting there, only two more cycles to go.
Hope all goes well for you.

harri I apologise for my last post. Apart from the last sentence, it could have been a better response. If I don't like the answers, I shouldn't be asking the question!

Any post that starts with "I don't want to scare you, but....." Thanks harrigran - I think! I hope your treatment is going well .

I have colonoscopies following a biopsy yes prep isn't great but it's.doable I think it's the thought of test is worse than the test itself you are offered something to relax you if you want I don't bother because I feel I can cope which I do I have to have gastroscopy in Aug and am not looking forward to it but just think procedure won't last forever and if any problem found it hopefully can be treated hope all goes well

I don't want to scare you but I always had clear bowel test results and had examinations which GP declared showed nothing wrong.I arranged private consultation and colonoscopy and was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. I wouldn't worry about the laxatives, compared to other procedures it is nothing.

Yes, this speed can be worrying. I went to se the GP on Wednesday about arranging another routine 3-year DEXA scan and I just happened to mention in passing a blistery patch I've had on my chest for several years, that keeps coming and nearly going.

She immediately brought in another colleague who examined it through a hand-held microscope-like instrument and they took it in turns to look at it and comment to each other about blood supply and roots

An appointment arrived the following day for the dermatology clinic on August 3rd which is just under two weeks. I've not told anyone as I'll wait and see the outcome of the referrel.

I too have an appointment for a colonoscopy but at the end of August. Having read about others experiences on here, I was concerned about the laxative part, but my letter doesn't mention that at all. My postal screening too came back clear. I'm not worrying about it, just slightly concerned re the actual procedure. Sure it will be fine though.

I am very grateful for all your input - apart from my daughter and d-I-l, who I don't want to tell because they'll worry - my best friend has been very ill recently and has enough problems without knowing about mine, and my eldest niece, who I am usually happy to share things with, is getting over surgery herself, so I wouldn't want to give her anything else to dwell on.

I expect she thinks that if there is nothing to worry about you would rather know as soon as possible. Good luck!

Thank you, Greyduster, and for you.

I will not ask you to "spill", nandalot as I am feeling quite sanguine at the moment! I have also had a colonoscopy before and the worst part I remember was the laxative beforehand. I will be thinking of you though. Hope it all goes well.

Greyduster...I think it is fairly normal to be seen within two weeks for this. My husband was in the same situation...clear postal sample, but a change in bowel habit. He was told that he would be seen for the endoscopy within 2 weeks as this was the target time for referral.

Greyduster, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. My colonoscopy is on Tues. I was on a two week referral as well. I have a feeling it is something to do with targets. Like you my postal screening came back normal. I have had one before when my diverticulosis was diagnosed. Not looking forward to it this time as I have read the accompanying literature and it has unsettled me to say the least. I was okay until I read it!