42 and gettin ct scan tomorrow.....just need to talk

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I have been having lower abdominal pain for 10 days. Sometimes on left, sometimes by belly button, sometimes on right side. Not so much pain as discomfort.some bloating....It doesn’t stop me from daily activities or make me double over. The cramps are worse in the morning after a Bowel movement when I lay back down. It seems to almost go away once I get up and get active stomach is making noises a lot. I feel like there are gas bubbles always there. ....almost,I am having so much anxiety over it! Dr google says it could be anything....ibs, endometriosis,  but canceris just a feeling I have.  I’m not really fatigued and no noticeable blood in stools. Believe me I, have been obsessive over that....to the point where I’m picking up my stools and spreading them apart looking for something.....gross I know. Stools are consistent during normal time save today I felt I had to strain more, pretty sure that is due to stress.  My mother says that if it was cancer that the pain would be pretty constant. She thinks it’s just anxiety.  I can’t sleep or eat.  I’m a teacher and this has consumes all my holidays.  I have been reading post and I think everyone who is going through cancer is a hero.  You are all so brave and I pray for you all. Has anyone who has been diagnosed have pain everywhere or just one spot? Ct scan tomorrow and I don’t know If I want to know the results now that it is almost here. I have no one to talk to. Yesterday I went out for a run/walk and I cried the whole time. I’ve never been so scared... thank you for listening. May God bless us all. 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    Heidi

    Wow I hear you.  I am a 43 yr old healthy male and recently went through 6 weeks of stress with the sudden onset of a bowel issue.  Ultimately my symptoms were more dramatic than yours - which in turn makes one think very dark outcomes.  I ended up with colitis - so a shock but not Cancer.

    Hanging out online aside from these forums is really tough since most sites are extreme in nature and do not calm most people.

    Unfortunately the best way to see what is going on in there is a colonoscopy.  It truly is the most certain test.  Have you have other lab work done to help ease your mind?  Blood work- stool - etc?

    Gassy- aggravated bowels are symptomatic of so many things other than the C.  The absence of blood and pain it would be highly unlikely C.  

    Your Mom is right - the big C typically presents with pain and it would be nagging and constant.  

    • Posted

      Thank you for responding. I had blood work done about a year and a half ago and all was ok. Nothing else.....my doc just ordered the ct scan when I came in and told home about my symptoms.  I have 24 hours till my scan will do my best to stop googling and breathe. Thanks again. Good luck to you.
  • Posted

    The CT Scan will help put your mind at rest- at least you will know-I didn't have pain but had bowel cancer-(had stringy stools/ constipation-difficulty passing stools -2015) -I had surgery and am still alive t.g.

    Am  being monitored (need 5 clear years)-but feel fine.

    My CT scan is due next month and then I see the consultant middle of February-even though I feel okay it is just the thought of what he might say to me regarding results !

    I have a feeling that you probably have something else not cancer-try and be positive-I know it is hard to think that way.

    Best wishes -hope all will be well-let us know how you get on.

    Susan

  • Posted

    In some respects google is a problem more than a solution!  Symptoms can have such a wide range of causes that it is all too easy to pick up on the most dramatic. 

    I agree with Patrick that any pain from cancer would be more constant both in duration and position.  The symptoms you describe seem more like coeliac disease than bowel cancer (both of which I have had to deal with, by the way).  A more usual symptom of bowel cancer is significant weight loss, this was certainly so in my case.

    It surprises me that you are not having an endoscopy test because examination of biopsy samples taken during this session would disclose or eliminate many other potential causes of your symptoms.  This is what happened in my case, with a subsequent CT scan being used just to pinpoint the position of the cancer.

    Saying don't worry isn't particularly helpful because it is a natural response in these situations.  I found that the best attitude is to realise that modern techniques to deal with problems are very effective and that even in the very worst case are usually effective.  My cancer was quite advanced when diagnosed, just one step short of being very serious, but three years on I am thriving.  Even though cancer is probably the least probable cause of your symptoms, should it turn out to be so it's not the end of the world.

    I hope your test tomorrow goes well and puts your mind at rest.

  • Posted

    Heidi I'm sorry you are going through this but peice of mind is everything hopefully your scan is ok and it can be a number if things I have lots of gas also no blood I think is a good thing I also have anxiety may god be with you and I hope you have good news please keep me posted

    • Posted

      Heidi I hope your scan went well and you get good news praying for you
    • Posted

      Ct scan was negative thank God. But still having pain.....what next?
    • Posted

      This really is good news, I'm so pleased for you.  There are many other possibilities, such as IBS and coeliac disease, so if you are still suffering the symptoms I suggest that you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist.

  • Posted

    Well that is a great day.  Good news.  Like everything now you must continue down the path is diagnosing. Take control of it.  Go back to doc and determine the next steps.

    New blood work seems like an obvious one along with stool samples for blood and infection testing.

    In the meantime - drinks lots of water and rest well.  Try to get some activity for 30 mins / day.  It does wonders during times like this.

  • Posted

    Hello Heidi

    ?The CT scan being clear is extremely positive so very good news!

    ?I would ask your GP to refer you for a colonoscopy, not the most pleasant thing to have but at least someone can have a proper luck and see what's going on, if anything!

    Good Luck

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