Worrying about colon cancer

You’ve done everything right in going to the doctor so promptly. She’s done the right thing in referring you for a colonoscopy. It will give you peace of mind.

Colofac works by temporarily paralysing the bowel, so the constipation followed by diarrhoea is normal. And not surprising that it would have caused bleeding in the haemorrhoid.

It all sounds pretty, well not normal as such, but what you might expect from IBS.

Have you made changes to your diet. I tried to live “more healthily” last year, changing to more pulses, beans and grains. Ended up spending my life on the toilet! Back to more meat and the problems have disappeared.

There that won’t stop you worrying I know, but hopefully your appointment will be soon and then your mind will be at rest.

I think you're doing the right thing, getting these symptoms checked out. From what you say, I'm not sure if you've been referred for a colonoscopy or not. If not, you could ask why.

Yes I've been referred for a colonoscopy and am just waiting for a date.

This particular doctor is extremely 'by the book' and I normally avoid her as she can be a bit anxiety inducing. But she did keep stressing it was my age and guidelines.

I think if I'd got one of the other Dr's they'd probably have said 'no red flags' etc

Aw sorry you have this worry. The colonoscopy isn't too bad and will put your mind at rest

The sooner you get the colonoscopy the better, then you will almost certainly learn that it is IBS and made worse by worrying. Of course, when you are worrying aout the symptoms, the worry make them worse, which makes you worry more, which . . etc etc.

However, your GP is very thorough, and wants to rule out the small chance that it could be a tumour - that is a good thing, and you wouldn't really want miss the chance of finding out early and getting it fixed, would you?

Stop Googling, you have found out too much for this moment when you are stressed about the whole thing. Concentrate on what you are eating, and look out for anything that seems to increase yor problems - knowing that could be very useful once the IBS is confirmed.

You could spend the time while you wait for the test (and the results!) in keeping a food diary and a symptom diary, and comparing them. You might find some simple combination of ingredients makes things much worse or much better. Start by only eating very bland things (boring!!!) which are said to not exacerbate IBS, then day by day add more exciting ingredfients and note the effect.

In a couple of weeks, you may find that you can just about diagnose IBS yourself, and also which things you are best to avoid!

My husband finally sent off his routine over-60s poo test last year. Never got round to doing the first one he'd been sent two years before!
He got called for a colonoscopy as it showed blood in the stool sample. The accompanying leaflet explained the likelihood of it being cancer (9 out of 100 people called).
His results came back clear, with the blood coming from piles, which he knew he had. Bright red blood is less worrying as it's not coming from higher up in the bowel.
Your GP is quite right to screen and hopefully eliminate any serious disease, then you and she can concentrate on the more likely IBS diagnosis.
Whatever is or isn't going on, the earlier it's dealt with the better x

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the replies.

You’re doing exactly the right thing and it’s great you have such a good GP. Of course you’re worried - nothing will stop that until you have the colonoscopy. Hope it’s soon - waiting is the worst. One thing I would say is when you go for it, get clear information about how long the results will take and the process for your being informed about them.

Take any knock out meds they offer for the colonoscopy.

Beswitched yes that's the problem with having a GP that does check. It happened to me last year, I was sent for a head MRI scan when I didn't expect it. We are not happy if they don't takes us seriously enough and we are equally unhappy if they do in case 'they find something '! But your GP is absolutely correct I would do the same if I was a doctor. Just got to wait, go through the procedure and hopefully all will be fine.

If you have already had tests which showed nothing sinister then you should stop frightening yourself. It really does sound like IBS following an infection.
I have had bowel cancer so I know how scary it can be.

Bright red blood is less worrying than darker. Its good that the doctor is being careful.
Good advice about food diary. Will help you to judge how much fibre you need too.
Stress can make IBS worse.

It sounds like your doctor is vigilant, which is good. The test a not as bad as it may seem. There was a recent thread by another member who needed a colonoscopy which may be helpful.......All the best.

Thanks everyone. I had a colonoscopy about ten years and from what I can recall the preparation the day before was the worst part - and that only because of the need to stay next to the loo!!

Harrigran I hope you've made a good recovery.

I have just had a call to ask if I can go in for mine next weekend. As others have said the day before, the prep day, is worse than the actual event. Well that’s my previous experience anyway. Good luck beswitched, , hope you get your date soon.

I've read it's unusual to develop ibs after 50. But I've suffered from bloated feelings and wind for years and also went through a short episode of bad cramping relieved by going to the loo in my late 3ps which has been repeated once or twice since.

Could the bacterial infection have exacerbated things? I've also been on quite a lot of antibiotics recently.

Had the procedure yesterday afternoon. Nothing sinister - lesions from a hysterectomy, some diverticulitis and haemorrhoids.
Have to go back in 5 years for another one.

Phew and thanks for helpful posts.

That's very good news, Beechnut, now you can stop worrying!

Such a reassuring result Beswitched you’ve ‘got your life back’. Bet you are on cloud 9 after all your anxiety. x

So pleased for you Beswitched.
And you may not realise this but your thread will help others in the same situation you were in.

Bright red blood is good. It's altered blood tarry stools we need to see doc about.

Alternating loose stools and constipation can be caused by the wrong laxative dose. I am still adjustimg mine also veggy diet twenty years after rectal surgery!

"good" I said! I don't of course refer to great haemorrhages but even a cupful of bright red blood can be due to piles.

Stop Googling, you have found out too much for this moment
Elegran And I go one step further and advise against reading threads like this. See a doctor, full stop!
Not long ago we were trying to come up with ideas to get MEN to overcome their "natural" reluctance to see their doctor and go "if symptoms persist"
Any nervous person would have a fit reading all the explicit details handed out anonymously by amateurs. Other person' previous experiences are next to useless. we are all different (to coin a cliche) and as with medicines, we are told not share even if we think we have the same affliction.
Sorry if I don't agree with you, but that's my (strong) opinion.
OK; Encourage hugs and kisses, but not medical "advice"
Good Health
OoRoo

Rufus your idea is wrong. Experienced patients are a help to many people with medical problems.