Ok so here goes not the best conversation but I am 35 years old and for the last 7-8 months I have 1-2 soft stools a day always first thing in the morning I say soft as not very often they are formed stools..if they are they are only small, lately I have been getting diarreah no more than twice a day though. I get no pain at all except from an achy back but no pain.
I went to my doctors who tested me for all sorts a full blood count and a CEA blood test which all came back clear. She has sent me for the camera only to soley put my mind at at rest as a worry like mad over cancer.
She says I will probably have irritable bowel syndrome but the more I read the more I see you get tummy ache with it and I don't have any. I am worried incase I have something else like bowel cancer. Can anyone give me more of an insight of IBS or if it could be anything else.
Thank you
The CEA test is the usual one for alerting to the possibility of bowel cancer. If the level is low then there is a correspondingly low probability of cancer, a high level triggers the need for further tests. A high level in my case got me into an endoscopy test quite rapidly and it was found that I did have bowel cancer. My post-treatment monitoring is almost exclusively based on CEA tests and if this stays low it is accepted that I am still clear. So, if your level indicates that you are clear then I would have thought bowel cancer to be very unlikely.
There are many things that can cause problems with the digestive system, not only IBS but also other things such as coeliac disease. If your symptoms persist I suggest that you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist.
I hope your test comes out OK but I really don't think you have anything to worry about.
Thank you for your message.. I am really sorry to hear you had bowel cancer it is everyone's worst nightmare isn't it.
My CEA level was 1. They also did a full blood count plus test of my liver then am CRP test for inflamation all came back fine. My iron levels also didn't show any low iron..
I have read so many horror story's regarding these tests that they can be false so I am just paniking. I don't have no blood I just literally have soft stools each morning which is once - twice a day always first thing. It has ruined my Christmas through worrying and still is now.. my doctor had been very short with me and told me she is dokey only sending me for a scan purely to put my mind at rest.. really not sure if soft stool each day is a sign of cancer as Google just tells me camcer for anything I put in..
Thank you
Google is a problem. I regularly scare myself silly about all sorts of things and advise people not to use it. But I still do it! My latest is the surveillance colonoscopy on Tuesday and the what if anxiety started quite a while ago. Even though I've had no problems. I don't think you need to worry about cancer either, you're doing well.
Well this is it Google is like your bible but a bad bible sometimes!! Good luck with your colonoscopy on Tuesday I hope it all goes well. Can I ask you did you not have any symptoms at all when you found out. I am only 34 but that doesn't mean anything these days for cancer does it. Did you have a full blood count before you found out too. Sorry for the million one questions
The only symptom was a worsening pain in my right side. As they do, I had a blood test and it showed an infection which was treated with antibiotics for two weeks, but no improvement. So off to ED where a CT scan showed a bowel blockage. I don't think I had any other blood tests before that one. They got organised very quickly and surgery was about 4 hours after the scan. The word emergency was used and/or acute. NOTHING LIKE THAT IS LIKELY FOR YOU! 34 is very young to have bowel cancer, but if you have a scan it should put your mind at rest. I hope your Dr will be more understanding about your anxiety. She might ask about fibre in your diet? I'm certainly not a medical person however. 'A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing,' so the saying goes. Best wishes and keep us up to date if you have the time.
Dear Laura I had a scope done and it turned out to be lymphocytic colitis I was on steroids for 90 days 2 years ago and have been in remission ever since its not a cancer but they still call it remission unless you have more symptoms than you stated I would say it's probably not something bad but I have to say I'm not a doctor but glad your doctor is taking charge to ease your mind
Arhh I see you poor thing!!! Well I have moved doctors today and I have an appointment to see him tomorrow so hoping he understand my anxiety more than my other doctor did who was terrible with me.
Thank you ever so much for your advice
Hi John I visited my doctor today he said I have no lumps or anything that jumps out at him when feeling my tummy and that my bloods were all fine. He said my bad back would be nothing to do with cancer if I did have it but he thinks I have no real concern as no actual red flags example blood.
Told him I have diareah most mornings and I never went the toilet until the following day and again he thought that could be normal. I hope he is right I really do..
I am worried but I think I need to calm down
Thanks for your replys