Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Popmummy on December 29, 2024, 05:43:12 PM
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For a while now I have had bouts of diarrhea. They are random and usually happen 3 or 4 times over the course of 3 to 4 weeks. I will eat, get cramps and dash to too. I’ve had these bouts going back as far as 2019 and also in 2023 and now twice this year. I mentioned it to my GP but as the symptom's always stop she wasn’t concerned. Once it goes I am usually constipated for a while then have normal movements.
I’ve always had a fear of bowel cancer and this is now consuming me. I’ve read all about change in bowel habit and can’t think that it is anything else. My latest bout was end of Nov and I am getting myself more and more worked up. Then a couple of weeks ago the NHS bowel screening arrived (I am 56) and it has sent me spirally. I did the test a couple of days ago and since then my anxiety has shot up. I can’t eat or sleep and feel sure it will come back positive. I’m worrying that I’ve had these diarrhea bouts for such a long time and that I should have been tested then.
I’ve been reading so much and literally don’t know what to do with myself.
If anyone can help me to feel a bit more rationale I would really appreciate it as I can’t seem to see anything else apart from what I fear.
X
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...... and breath!
You've done the test, well done. The results shouldn't be too long coming back.
If U had bowel issues more often I would be more concerned. What is your diet like overall? Do U do any exercise ? Both will alter bowel movements. R these issues related to your monthly cycle? I would have the runs 10 mins B4 a bleed began even when a period wasn't due >:( :o. As will anxiety! Put me onto a UK Motorway and I want to go NOW!
Your GP is probably less worried about intermittent alterations rather than it happening regularly.
Is there pain, blood, cramping at other times?
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I always get nervous waiting for my result so you are not alone.
Taz x
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Thanks for replies
CLKD - I’ve not seen any blood and don’t really get cramps any other time. I’m post menopausal so not cycle related.
X
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How do U feel the rest of the time? Do U go out with friends for example for coffee and cake?
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I work full time and keep busy. The rest of the time I’ve been fine but after this last bout I have just become more and more anxious.
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MayB keep a note of your diet for the next 5 days/nights 2 see whether there is a pattern.
In recent weeks I've cut out muesli and milk :-\ and until today that seems to work.
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Thanks CLKD
Trying to keep the anxiety from taking over but thanks for your support x
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Anxiety through the roof. Keep googling and finding stories where people have had similar symptoms that turned out to be bc. I was hoping that as the bouts were often months apart that this was a positive. Waiting for my fit results and convinced they will be positive as I know you don’t have to see blood for it to be there.
Can’t eat or sleep and stomach churning.
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Bc symptoms are persistent and get worse over time, they don't come and go like yours. Certainly not with such big gaps. It's likely your anxiety is making the bowel issues worse. You do need to stop goggling as hard as that is. Contact your GP and ask for help dealing with the anxiety as a priority.
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Health anxiety is difficult to deal with. Some where on the Forum is a thread 'what I have diagnosed this year' or similar ::)
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Thank you for replying ladies.
I know you’re right about all the googling. I have always dreaded the fit test and when it arrived just as I was worrying about the diarrhea, it felt like a sign! I keeping thinking that I should have got one done back in July 2023 when I had a bout then. I’m also losing weight because I can’t eat, so that’s not helping.
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So stop stepping on the scales? I'm on pancakes today :'( :-\
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Still waiting for my Fit result and struggling with the anxiety that’s with me. Trying to eat small bits but am just so worried. I hope Penguin is right when she says that if it was anything worrying then it wouldn’t have such a long time between bouts.
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It's also between two festive breaks plus your result won't be the single 1 waiting to be looked at.
How's the bowel behaving today?
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I submitted a FIT sample on the 24th and have just had results this afternoon, so you probably won’t have to wait too much longer. Assuming different areas have similar timelines x
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CLKD - My bowels are ok. I’m not eating much due to the anxiety but not had d since the 11th Dec. Just can’t imagine my result will be normal when I have symptoms.
CE1976 - was yours a screening through the NHS or requested by your GP? I hope yours was all ok.
X
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Mine was a gp request, so maybe they’re processed more quickly?
It was clear thankfully.
Hope you don’t have to wait too much longer x
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I suggest that you ring the GP Popmummy to find out how long the wait is likely to be. Even if the sample returns a disease these are usually treatable successfully. What's the worst that could happen?
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Thanks. Mine is a screening one but because I’ve been having bouts of diarrhea (not everyday and in little clusters often weeks apart) it has made me really anxious.
I’m glad yours was all ok x
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I suggest that you ring the GP Popmummy to find out how long the wait is likely to be. Even if the sample returns a disease these are usually treatable successfully. What's the worst that could happen?
Not sure if I get a letter as it was part of screening. I posted it on Saturday.
My fear is bc. and is all I can think of. My Nan had it (about 79 years) and was treated successfully so it is my family and ever time I have had one of the diarrhea bouts I’ve worried about. Then I go back to normal movements and forget about it.
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That's how anxiety works: worried when there is a bodily issue, once that disappears or resolves, we go back to not even thinking about it.
How deep a discussion have you had with a GP or Nurse Practitioner about your worries? Write down your worries to take to the next appt should it be required.
There is unlikely to be a response at this time of year until the Labs R up and running [sorry no pun intended]
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I suggest that you ring the GP Popmummy to find out how long the wait is likely to be. Even if the sample returns a disease these are usually treatable successfully. What's the worst that could happen?
Not sure if I get a letter as it was part of screening. I posted it on Saturday.
My fear is bc. and is all I can think of. My Nan had it (about 79 years) and was treated successfully so it is my family and ever time I have had one of the diarrhea bouts I’ve worried about. Then I go back to normal movements and forget about it.
Genetics is when it is early onset, your nan getting it at 79 would just be ageing rather than family history per se. My husband did two fit tests last year, heard back from neither and eventually had to chase - both were clear. I'd give it a few days and call the GP as it will show up on their system whether positive or negative. You might be waiting a very long time if you wait for a letter. Or, if you have the NHS app, the result might be recorded on there, that is also where my husband saw his eventually.
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My fit test results have come back as normal. I am of course relieved, however in my time googling I know that the threshold for fit is different in screening compared to a fit test for when symptomatic. In England the fit threshold is 120 in screening, but just 10 when done for symptoms. So of course, because my fit was as a result of a screening my health anxiety is telling me that I can’t actually rely on the normal result as I have been having the random bouts of diarrhea. I have an appointment with my GP next week so will talk to her about it all.
Sorry for going on, but it helps to share my fears and get them out.
X
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I am pleased that your results are within normal limits - I'm surprised that the result is back so quickly :-\. With the festive season been and gone when Labs will have been shut. "Symptomatic" for what?
What is your biggest worry? Mine was not being able to attend radiation sessions - 5 days a week for 4 weeks. My panic attacks could have taken over, fortunately they didn't. I was driving along on pure adrenaline. What's the worst that could happen?
Your anxiety is beyond ...... the 1st thing that your GP should do is prescribe anti-anxiety medication rather than any more investigations. How does the anxiety manifest? I could write a book about mine :-\ :'(
So you googled - that was your decision. Dr GOOGLE knows nowt! If U are really worried then look at NHS websites? Where knowledge is likely to be true. What do you want any of these results to show? What have you learned from the responses from members on MM?
I get slow transit; occasionally loose stools; no blood, cramping or spasms. Normal for me. No worries. Every 2/3 years I do a poo test which is sent to a Lab., result back usually after 10 days.
U need to make written notes of everything that you eat/drink day/night: the actual times that you imbibe: until U see the GP - do U have an appt. already? As well as noting your bowel movements: consistency etc.. Take a note of your worries with you.
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Great that your results are back and normal. Did they tell you your actual values? Good that you have a gp appt to discuss it - hopefully she can reassure you.
Not that it helps but I can certainly relate to your anxiety! x
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I am pleased that your results are within normal limits - I'm surprised that the result is back so quickly :-\. With the festive season been and gone when Labs will have been shut. "Symptomatic" for what?
What is your biggest worry? Mine was not being able to attend radiation sessions - 5 days a week for 4 weeks. My panic attacks could have taken over, fortunately they didn't. I was driving along on pure adrenaline. What's the worst that could happen?
Your anxiety is beyond ...... the 1st thing that your GP should do is prescribe anti-anxiety medication rather than any more investigations. How does the anxiety manifest? I could write a book about mine :-\ :'(
So you googled - that was your decision. Dr GOOGLE knows nowt! If U are really worried then look at NHS websites? Where knowledge is likely to be true. What do you want any of these results to show? What have you learned from the responses from members on MM?
I got the results on my doctor app, no letter yet. I suppose it’s all electronic and makes it easier to report quicker. When I say symptomatic, I’m referring to the bouts of diarrhea that I’ve experienced. If I hadn’t received my first screening in the post I would have asked my doctor to do a fit test and I know that their thresholds for blood in poo is 10, compared to 120 for just screening. That’s why I am still feeling anxious. My biggest worry is that it is bc - can’t even write it!
I know you’re right about google, but when my anxiety is this high I lose all reason.
It’s really hard to keep a food diary as the bouts have had long times between but I think I will start doing this.
I will also talk to my doc about my anxiety level.
X
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Great that your results are back and normal. Did they tell you your actual values? Good that you have a gp appt to discuss it - hopefully she can reassure you.
Not that it helps but I can certainly relate to your anxiety! x
Thanks
I just got ‘Normal’, but that’s because my fit was done through the screening program. I have been worrying about these bouts of diarrhea and was going to ask my doctor for the test, however when the screening arrived in my post I did that. You don’t get numbers with screening but the threshold for amount of blood is 120! Whereas if I hadn’t received it done by GP because of my symptoms the threshold is just 10. So my anxiety is screaming that I will need another fit!
X
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Great that your results are back and normal. Did they tell you your actual values? Good that you have a gp appt to discuss it - hopefully she can reassure you.
Not that it helps but I can certainly relate to your anxiety! x
Thanks
I just got ‘Normal’, but that’s because my fit was done through the screening program. I have been worrying about these bouts of diarrhea and was going to ask my doctor for the test, however when the screening arrived in my post I did that. You don’t get numbers with screening but the threshold for amount of blood is 120! Whereas if I hadn’t received it done by GP because of my symptoms the threshold is just 10. So my anxiety is screaming that I will need another fit!
X
You're right that the thresholds are different. Mine was 23.5 and I ended up having a colonoscopy and having polyps removed (one of them bleeding but not enough to show up in my poo). But they have 120 as a cut off because it is highly unlikely anything sinister will have developed while the number is below 120 so I really think you are overthinking this. I don't think you are classed as symptomatic unless your symptoms are persistent and don't go away. With yours being intermittent I wouldn't say that is persistent. However it may be worth getting the more sensitive GP one done just to put your mind at rest as it doesn't sound like you are in the head space to let this go.
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Thanks for your support.
I had another very small amount of diarrhea again this evening. First time in 4 weeks so am getting anxious about that. I will talk to my doc on Tuesday about all my worry about it x
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How did you get on at the gp? Hope they were reassuring and you’re feeling less anxious x
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Hello
Well, I saw doc yesterday afternoon. She said that she felt that even though I was correct that they do a ‘symptomatic’ FIT test, she still did not think my bouts of diarrhea were enough to warrant more testing and felt that more testing would make me more anxious anyway. She said that as my bouts are often many weeks apart, this reassures her. She said the negative screening I did was still a very good indicator too. She thinks it’s ibs. I said it was not food related and she said it doesn’t have to be and that stress can have a big impact. I said that I felt I was too old at 56 to have ibs, but if I’m honest with myself, I have always had tummy troubles, particularly when abroad, anxious or even ill with a cold!
I now have to trust her, even though the little voice is telling me not to.
Thanks for checking in xx
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A nervous gut? Mine has been problematic since age 3 when I was taken away from a secure environment.
Did your GP explain the fight/flight response?
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Glad to hear you’ve had a bit more reassurance. If she had any doubts I’m sure she’d recommend further tests. Hopefully you can put it out of your mind a bit now. (Hard if you’re a worrier like me!) x
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I don't need to be worrying, for me it's an instant physical reaction. There are situations which act as triggers though.
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Yes - for me too it can be instant, like I’m happily sat watching TV, then think uh oh! Then other times it’s directly linked to anxiety and fear.
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Yep. Fight or flight. Put me onto a Motorway and I immediately want to have a wee ....... and why are the loos ALL THAT WAY from the car park :-\ :'( >:(
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;D ;D
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Well I am told by designers that it makes the public go through the whole complex = the possibility of people buying 'stuff'. 'they' don't seem to realise that a Mum with a "I need to wee now" child doesn't have time to go through to the facilities!!
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Personally I'd be insisting the GP referred me for a colonoscopy or funding one privately myself. Bouts of diarrheoa, however far apart in time, are not normal.
Sadly, I have personal experience of a 61 year old family member with a normal faecal occult blood test and no other symptoms except bouts of diarrhoea who was repeatedly fobbed off by her GP. She eventually succeeded in insisting on referral for colonoscopy and has now had a massive bowel op, large cancerous tumour present including spread to lymph nodes and has her 3rd chemo session later this week 😔 I'm sorry if this story adds to your anxiety but, as you'll appreciate, I feel strongly that patients need to be very assertive with GPs about these things.
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I’ve only just seen your reply. Very scary. I hope your family member I’d doing ok.
I haven’t had a bout since November and have been assured that something serious would cause symptoms to be much more persistent.
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Great that your results are back and normal. Did they tell you your actual values? Good that you have a gp appt to discuss it - hopefully she can reassure you.
Not that it helps but I can certainly relate to your anxiety! x
Thanks
I just got ‘Normal’, but that’s because my fit was done through the screening program. I have been worrying about these bouts of diarrhea and was going to ask my doctor for the test, however when the screening arrived in my post I did that. You don’t get numbers with screening but the threshold for amount of blood is 120! Whereas if I hadn’t received it done by GP because of my symptoms the threshold is just 10. So my anxiety is screaming that I will need another fit!
X
You're right that the thresholds are different. Mine was 23.5 and I ended up having a colonoscopy and having polyps removed (one of them bleeding but not enough to show up in my poo). But they have 120 as a cut off because it is highly unlikely anything sinister will have developed while the number is below 120 so I really think you are overthinking this. I don't think you are classed as symptomatic unless your symptoms are persistent and don't go away. With yours being intermittent I wouldn't say that is persistent. However it may be worth getting the more sensitive GP one done just to put your mind at rest as it doesn't sound like you are in the head space to let this go.
Penguin may I ask what was your experience of having the colonoscopy done? - it is just I have to get one done soon and feeling very scared about it all x
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That's a relief [C what I did there :D ] .......
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Oops I don't know what happened there ....
I was just wondering what @ Penguin's experience was of the colonoscopy, as I am still feeling very scared about it all this morning
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Great that your results are back and normal. Did they tell you your actual values? Good that you have a gp appt to discuss it - hopefully she can reassure you.
Not that it helps but I can certainly relate to your anxiety! x
Thanks
I just got ‘Normal’, but that’s because my fit was done through the screening program. I have been worrying about these bouts of diarrhea and was going to ask my doctor for the test, however when the screening arrived in my post I did that. You don’t get numbers with screening but the threshold for amount of blood is 120! Whereas if I hadn’t received it done by GP because of my symptoms the threshold is just 10. So my anxiety is screaming that I will need another fit!
X
You're right that the thresholds are different. Mine was 23.5 and I ended up having a colonoscopy and having polyps removed (one of them bleeding but not enough to show up in my poo). But they have 120 as a cut off because it is highly unlikely anything sinister will have developed while the number is below 120 so I really think you are overthinking this. I don't think you are classed as symptomatic unless your symptoms are persistent and don't go away. With yours being intermittent I wouldn't say that is persistent. However it may be worth getting the more sensitive GP one done just to put your mind at rest as it doesn't sound like you are in the head space to let this go.
Regarding the thresholds for FIT tests, the upper limit of 120 applies to England and NI. For Scotland and Wales it is 80. The reason for the higher limit in England and NI is because the NHS in these countries would not be able to cope with the number of colonoscopies they would have to do if it was any lower. If a GP gives you a FIT test to do, the upper limit is 10. Mine was 13.5 so I was fast tracked for a colonoscopy.
JP x
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Thanks again JP very informative x - I had asked what my score was but the nurse who phoned me said she didn't know