Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Mrs Bennet on May 13, 2021, 09:20:44 PM
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Hi ladies
Just wondering if anyone can help ...
Yesterday i did a FIT bowel sample and have just read on my patient access that i will need an urgent 2 week referral 😳.....
Long story but basically i have had left sided abdominal pain since Christmas..... also suffering piriformis syndrome and sciatica so thought this was referred pain from that ..... have had some physio and also seen womans health physio for pelvic problems.....anyways saw GP this week had bloods done and had to do poo sample.....i suffer extreme health anxiety and just going to the drs gave me a very upset stomach.....i have external piles too......the reading on my result is 19 normal range 0-5 though on NICE site says any thing below 10 is normal...... sorry for ramble but i am sitting here crying thinking i have bowel cancer .....i guess surgery will call me tomorrow...
Thank you for reading.....😘😘
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I cannot understand why patients are able to access their private records on line :-\.
Ring your Surgery in the morning and ask the question, press the point that you are extremely worried!
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Good idea to ring in the morning, you need to know what's going on. The good news is they're getting on to it quickly with a 2 week referral, think this may be for further investigation not that they've actually found something? Hope it goes well, we're all here for you.
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Thank you for reading my ramble CLKD 😘
I am just so beside myself actually shaking and feel sick....i am really struggling mentally at the moment ...
I haven’t been going out due to the COVID only for appointments.....so have become slightly agaraphobic (spelling)
I have not told the doctor how bad i feel......stupid i know and now this wish I hadn’t done the test xx
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Thank you Shelia99 😘
I new i could count on the ladies here
xx
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Hi Mrs Benet. Of course you feel anxious but the blood the FIT test has detected could have come from other causes rather than cancer. You could be suffering from inflammation in the bowel especially as you had a nervous tummy when you took the test or your external piles could have contaminated the sample. It sounds as if you are being given the best possible care and we are all here for you. Let us know what you find out tomorrow won't you.
Taz x :hug:
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Thank you for your kind words Taz
yep i will post tomorrow.....
😘😘
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Bless you. I know this must be such a worry. I don't think the government realise what locking people up for months does to them in terms of increasing anxiety as there are no distractions to enjoy outside of 4 walls. There are so many reasons why this may not be serious. The waiting and fear is worse than the outcome. You are feeling things that are normal. My heart goes out to you.xxx
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Machair......thank you for your kind & wise words .......keep trying to rationalise this in my head but my brain takes over 🙄.....
Update.....Dr called yesterday and i had a chat telling her how i feel, she was very kind and tried to reassure me by saying she is not panicking.....
just wish I could say the same 🤣
She wanted me to go and have another blood test for iron .....which must have been missed off of the tests i did earlier in the week 🙄
When this test is back she will maybe want to get another stool sample then
work on a plan......she did say that i would need the dreaded colonoscopy
So I’m still feeling anxious and shaky
which isn’t helping with my bowel situation if you see what i mean .....
Seems like I’m in fight or flight situation all day 😳
Well i will stop rambling now....
Thank you again xx
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Your GP is following guidelines and if she ain't worrying ......... that doesn't stop the old brain though does it! She's got other patients to take her mind off issues.
I can understand the bowel situation. Worry causes either slow transit and bloating or I have to rush: or both :o
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MRS. B, you may have internal as well as external piles. That may explain the blood and discomfort.
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Thank you CLKD & Aprilflower......
I’m just catastrophizing as usual.....
I feel not so bad one minute then the next I’m all over the place 🙄......
I know i just have wait and see but
can’t seem to be positive......I so envy people who can take things in there stride......i just worry about everything 😳.....i need to get a grip xx
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I'm a worrier too :-\ usually in the early hours >:(. My brain begins racing because I can't tackle the issues at that time of day!
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All such a nuisance CLKD.......I sometimes get up and make a cuppa
& watch TV until i feel a bit more sleepy......i just can’t lay there with all the chattering in my head 🤣 xx
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Did your problem get resolved Mrs Bennet? Hope all is ok
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Good morning Marge......how kind of you to post......i am still awaiting for colonoscopy appointment.....i am beside myself with anxiety.....i have a catch up telephone appointment with the doctor tomorrow so will relay my concerns again.....she has referred me as I checked on my patient access ......i am dreading the procedure and of course keep thinking the worst.....
Thank you again for your concern xx
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I'd be exactly the same; health anxiety has a lot to answer for. I do hope you hear about your appointment soon and can put all this behind you.
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Thank you Marge
Flipping health anxiety 😟
😘😘
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Hi Mrs Bennet, I am having a colonoscopy done next week and feel very much the same as you, quite bad stomach churning anxiety etc etc and not looking forward to it, but my recent stool sample test showed blood in it for the first time ever, which was a real shock. I've opted for gas and air at the moment but will see how it goes.
Have had a partial bowel investigation years ago with no sedation and that was ok, just felt a bit weird!
I'm trying to be positive and hope for the best, as I do have a chronic anal fissure which flares up now and again so possibly it could be that?
I'm on the week "low residue diet" now in preparation and eating "beige" food. (not great when I normally eat healthy!!) I just want it all over and done with but I know I will worry the whole time until it's done and get the results.
Fingers crossed we are both ok, sending big hugs xx
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Hello ladies.
I have had two colonoscopies with sedation making the procedures completely pain free. The beige food diet is not great and I mainly lived on crumpets lol. The prep that you take beforehand is also a bit rubbish but it does the job of clearing out the bowel so that everything is on display! I was able to look at the screen while I was being examined and the doctor explained everything so I got a diagnosis straight away.
I'm sure other ladies will be along to add their experiences and hopefully you will feel reassured.
Take care.
K.
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Good morning Julia Dizzy.....Kathleen
Thank you both for your posts......
Julia isn’t it awful this constant fight or flight feeling.... butterfly tummy
I don’t know which part of the procedure I’m more scared of....think i will opt for the sedation...... though i am a very small frame and seem to be sensitive to most meds so hopefully it won’t knock me out completely 😳
I am trying my hardest to be positive but doubt always seems to creep back in ......thank you both so much for your wise and encouraging words ....
Will be thinking of you Julia.....let me know how it goes .....much love Mrs B
Xx
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Thank you Mrs Bennet, I'll let you know :-\ and Kathleen, if you don't mind me asking how were you after the sedation? How long did it take to get out of your system...I know you have to stay in hospital after the procedure for a while if you've had it. I don't want to feel groggy for days?!
I'm not sure whether to have it or not and just manage with gas and air, although I know I will be very anxious so maybe I should!
Erkkk day 3 of bland food and Sennakot each night...what joy, can't wait until its all over :'(
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Thinking of you both, Mrs Bennett and Julia Dizzy. I completely relate to the anxiety. My sister has IBS and she has had several colonoscopy's. She has tried mild sedation, full sedation, gas and air and nothing. She now opts for nothing as she says she feels in control and there's no after effects. The sedation made her feel very dizzy and out of it. If it was me I would have no hesitation in having sedation. I've got a low pain threshold and get really anxious which I'm sure makes everything feel much worse.
Good luck with what ever you decide. It will be good when it's over and hopefully you get the ressurance that everything is absolutely fine.
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Hello again ladies.
Julia Dizzy - The sedation was by wrist cannula and only really lasted an hour or two after the procedure as I recall. I certainly didn't feel groggy, just nicely relaxed. I think I was in recovery for about thirty minutes then my husband drove me home. I think the drug used was liquid diazepam and I had no after effects at all.
I honestly believe you won't have any problems with the sedation or the procedure as these examinations are routinely performed and the staff are well practiced.
I also hated the bland diet and I couldn't wait to get back to enjoying real food.
Wishing you well and keep us updated.
K.
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Julia Dizzy…….i have been thinking of you……hope you are ok ….😘
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Hope everyone is doing ok. The sedation I had was like a memory drug. I was apparently fully awake and following instructions the whole time but couldn't remember any of it. No wooziness after though obviously I couldn't drive. Most strange. I think it was called Midazolam. Worked very well for me. Conscious sedation...just remembered the term ;D
Taz x
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Hello again ladies.
On both occasions the sedation I had didn't affect my memory at all. I was chatting to the staff and following events on the monitor. I recall what was said each time which is how I know the diagnosis was Ulcerative Colitis during the first colonoscopy and a normal colon on the second procedure.
Mrs Bennett - If you have the same sedation as me you will be relaxed, pain free but alert and you will be able to ask questions of the team.
Take care ladies.
K.
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Wished they used that for hysteroscopy, Tazz! Hope you've had your proceedure Julia dizzy and that you've got yours soprted Mrs Benett
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Hi there ladies, I had my colonoscopy at 9am this morning with sedation (cannulla - which took 3 nurses to get in my rubbish veins), along with gas and air as required. I was conscious all the time if felt a little drunk at first. I knew everything that was being said and done and I was talking to the nurses. It didn't diminish the discomfort of it going round the corners much, but it was bearable.
I was so anxious my BP was through the roof and didn't settle 'til after the procedure. It took 45 mins to do all the paperwork, consent, cannula etc prior to it, which didn't help the anxiety. Last night was just awful with the Moviprep, talk about dynamite, it finally settled down about 12.30am but I couldn't sleep really as was so worried.
Unfortunately for me I was on the table for an hour for the procedure. They found 2 polyps which were removed and a narrowing of one part of the bowel which they were concerned about. They took a biopsy of that part too. I couldn't really feel that going on.
After I had been in recovery and had tea and toast, I waited an hour for the surgeon to see me. They had rung my hubby to come and get me so he was waiting in reception for an hour, probably wondering what the heck was going on.
They said I had to have a CT scan next week and they did blood tests.
The 'C' word was mentioned unfortunately (prior to actually getting any results) and they said I would probably need to have an operation to remove the narrowed part of the bowel and join it back together again. This is in order to prevent any future blockages which could occur. They will plan the way forward once they have all the results.
They also said I had diverticular disease which is apparently very common wear and tear as you get older.
Needless to say I was completely shocked and scared and felt sick and shaky, as certainly wasn't expecting anything like that.
I was there for about 4 and a half hours altogether, but hopefully Mrs Bennet, yours won't be anything like mine, so please try not to worry, the staff were all marvellous and caring. So its going to be a long and worrying few weeks for me.
Let us know how you get on too, lots of luck. xx
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Hello Julia Dizzy.
I am pleased that you have had your procedure but sad to hear that you still have a way to go before you can relax. My neighbour had a narrowing of her bowel removed about ten years ago and made a full recovery. Some cancer was detected but again easily dealt with by medication. As you say Diverticular disease is very common so you are probably in the majority there!
It seems that you are being well looked after and you can be confident that your hospital have everything under control.
Wishing you well and sending hugs.
K.
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Aw bless you Julia Dizzy…..sounds like it was a traumatic day for you ….. I don’t really know what to say …..only that i am thinking of you….please try to stay positive……when you suffer with anxiety that is so easier said than done……at least that horrid procedure is done and a plan can be made going forward….. i am still waiting to hear 🙄……i guess they are triaging my referral……keep me updated with how things are going
with much love Mrs B xx
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Julia Dizzy, well done for getting through it. I really feel for you. Sending good wishes and I hope you hear about the results soon. Be kind to yourself and take care x
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Thank you all so much for your very kind words. Your support is so very welcome in all of this. :hug:
Kathleen, thank you for the news of your neighbour's recovery, that's really good to know.
I can only hope for the best in waiting for the results. They are marvellous at my local hospital so can only take comfort in that.
Mrs Bennet keep us updated on your journey too. Sending caring thoughts to you too. xx I am full of trapped wind this morning ...nice :D and feel like I have been run over by a steamroller. Hoping my insides will recover in next couple of days!
Take care and thank you again so much xxx.
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Hi,
I had a similar thing back in November. I had piles but decided it needed further investigation as had been seeing blood on and off for around 18 months. My FIT also came back as a referral and it's standard policy that they make sure they see you in 2 weeks from the test. I was also worried about the urgency. The doc told me the FIT is one that gives false positives and if you have piles the blood could very well have come from there. Anyway I had a colonoscopy and all was fine. Try not to worry. Easier said than done I know as I also have major health anxiety!
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Hi Mrs Bennet and all, I had my results on Monday and they said the biopsy of the narrowing area came back showing cancerous cells. So I will have to have surgery to have that section of the bowel removed.
I had bloods done and a CT scan too - and that showed no spread anywhere else thankfully.
I have an appointment with the consultant surgeon tomorrow and I would imagine he will tell me when the surgery will be and what it all entails.
I am quite shaky, sick and scared as you can imagine, never had an op before apart from being sterilised over 30 years ago. It's surreal and can't quite get my head round it. They said it could have been there a long time and just wasn't bleeding at the time of my last bowel screening test in 2018. So you never know what's lurking inside.
I can only say the hospital have been brilliant and very quick so far, just not looking forward to the op and being in hospital with all that goes with it. I can only hope they get it all and I will be ok.
So everyone please make sure you get your screening and any other tests done when it's requested, it's so important. xxx
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I'm so sorry, Julia. I wish I could think of the right thing to say. It is a good job they've caught it when they have.
Just wanted to offer good wishes for the op and a speedy recovery.
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Hello Julia Dizzy
I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
I mentioned my neighbour before and she was told that her cancer had likely been there for years before it caused any symptoms. She had an operation to remove part of her bowel followed by chemotherapy. She had to attend hospital a few times for an infusion but she also had some tablets to take at home. Throughout this time she looked well, was not particularly low on energy and didn't lose any hair. All this was over ten years ago and she has been fine ever since and is still going strong. Hopefully her experience gives you some comfort and reminds you that there are many success stories out there.
Take care and sending hugs.
K.
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JuliaDizzy, sorry to hear your news, but good that it hasn't spread and they are going to operate soon. Thinking of you x
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Thank you all so much for your kind wishes. xx
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Morning Juliadizzy……..was so sorry to read your news …….i am sending you love and hugs ……hopefully the op will be done soonest and you can get on that road to a speedy recovery xx
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I'm so sorry JuliaDizzy, such a worrying time but it sounds as though you are good hands. I hope the op goes well.