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Colon cancer or ibs?

Posted , 7 users are following.

marie54562
marie54562

I am a 22 year old female and for the past four months I have been experiencing some tummy problems.

My symptoms have been pain in my lower left abdomen (occasionally sharp pains in right), constant feeling of trapped gas where I can feel gas trapped inside but I can't let it out (sorry tmi) and also occasionally I get a frequent urge to urinate.

I have been to the doctors numerous time, on all occasions doctors have felt a hardness in my lower left colon which they claim to be a build up of stool. However despite taking numerous laxatives this does not seem to go away.

I have had blood test and all normal. No gluten intolerances or anaemic etc. My doctor highly suggests this is ibs as I am so young and don't seem to have any red flag symptoms but I am still quite worried. I don't understand what could be causing the constant trapped gas and "stool build up".

I have a referral to see a specialist which I imagine will take a long time!

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • thi20955
    thi20955 marie54562

    Posted

    I think you have IBS which gives you feeling of trapping poo or gas inside. You are young to have colon cancer. Drinking plenty water in the morning before breakfast or fibre drink will help. Avoid cafein or alcohol, spicy food or beans esp kidney beans or vege that contains gas such as cucumber, sweet potaoes, going some tummy excercise and massage it also help.

    Hope you will find comfortable soon.

     

    • philippa61759
      philippa61759 marie54562

      Posted

      IBS can be mild, moderate or severe.  Most of the time my symptoms are mild to moderate. Occasionally, they can be severe.
  • nakisha16826
    nakisha16826 marie54562

    Posted

    I would say ibs I have ibs-c it sounds like it to me but I would have it checked get a ct scan or colonoscopy and endoscope blood test to make sure I know your young but it's better to be safer than sorry hope you feel better soon!
    • marie54562
      marie54562 nakisha16826

      Posted

      Yeah it does feel like that. It's always concerning when there's a 'what if' at the back of your mind!

      Click here to view image

  • maggie__55735
    maggie__55735 marie54562

    Posted

    Hi Marie, I would suggest that you do some research before you go. Some on ovary problems' blockage of the lower intestine. Also different types of colonoscopy. My gastro consultant couldn't even diagnose a hiatus hernia. It took me 7 years and a lot of ignoring from the GP. Anything to do with the gut can be complicated. Good luck 🍀
    • marie54562
      marie54562 maggie__55735

      Posted

      Thanks, I'll look into that! It's so stressful trying to research my symptoms as there seems to be so many possibilities!
  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 marie54562

    Posted

    Your symptoms sound like IBS.  I get pain all over my stomach.  Sometimes it is on my left, then my right or middle.  I have four different types of pain.  Dull, deep grinding. sharp and neuralgic.  I mainly get constipation but I have had loose stools as well and sometimes nausea. Trapped wind is common and some foods do cause gas.  Look at the Fodmap diet and it will tell you about these foods.  Try eliminating them and see if your symptoms improve.

    Frequent urination can also be a sign of IBS.  Ask your doctor to explain the symptoms you are worried about to relieve your anxiety.  Once, you understand your symptoms, you will start to feel better.  Stress makes IBS worse.  If all your tests are negative, then IBS can be diagnosed.  Your doctor seems confident about IBS so I would accept what you are being told.

    It took eight doctors to diagnose my IBS and as soon as I got answers, my panic disappeared.  Although tests are crucial in ruling out other causes, lots of negative results often increase anxiety rather than reduce it.  I had stool tests, a urine sample, an ultrasound and a celiac test which all came back clear.

    Exercise, less stress, Buscopan and painkillers have helped me.  However, there are other treatments such as probiotics and peppermint oil.  Everyone experiences IBS differently and treatments that work for some will not necessarily work for others.

     

    • philippa61759
      philippa61759 marie54562

      Posted

      I am a worrier too and I suspect overtime it brought on IBS.  I started with upper digestive tract trouble when I was a student in the 90s.  An endoscopy showed nothing despite my constant heartburn.   Now, I have both. IBS is like sleeping with the enemy, never knowing when a bad flare up will strike.  Last year, I googled too much to give the doctors something to go on and I terrified myself with doom and gloom scenarios.
  • jammyc1973
    jammyc1973 marie54562

    Posted

    I get pain all over my tummy. Some days are bad (like today) but other days I have no symptoms. It's just hit and miss. I have been diagnosed four times as IBS but I still don't accept this until all tests are done. Endoscopy, stools etc. My pains are mostly burning in tummy, shooting pains under ribs and dull aches in lower right abdomen. I also get backache. It stops me from doing a lot of things such as exercise, nights out etc so it's really affecting my life especially at home with family. It's getting me down but on the good days I feel fantastic. I just hope it all goes away one day. Good luck and all the best.
    • philippa61759
      philippa61759 jammyc1973

      Posted

      If you have been diagnosed 4 times as having IBS, your doctor is confident in his opinion. Ask him/her to explain the symptoms that you find most worrying. Once you understand your symptoms, you will be better able to control them.

      I would accept your diagnosis and you will start to feel better.  More tests will only make you more anxious especially if they are negative.  None of my tests reassured me until I got a firm diagnosis and a name for my symptoms.  Your symptoms are the same as mine and I was diagnosed with IBS.

       

    • nicole101681
      nicole101681 jammyc1973

      Posted

      I was suppose to get colonoscopy but didn't due to insurance .. I'm waiting to get our insurance back that way I can get more tests done.. I'm having lower back pain about tailbone and I was having rectum pressure but don't right now... I was constipated somewhat and having loose stools but it seems to have started getting better... But the back pain is going more up like kidney area ... It does hurt but more uncomfortable... I have depression and anxiety but I've never felt this bad... I'm scared it might be something else.. I have blood tests done and stool test which were normal... But my insurance expired so that's all I could do for now... 11 months ago I experience this same pain but it went away after a few weeks... Now it's back and I am under tons of stress and makes me depressed which probably makes it worse... They told me before I had IBS.... But never had colposcopy to rule things out ... You sound like you have what I'm going through... Is your pain constant? Back... And I get his ugly feeling in my tummy and it makes me nauseous and feel so sick
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