Could my symptoms be signs of cancer?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I have been going to the doctors since early November as I have been suffering mainly from lower right abdominal pain, but also changes to bowel functions and just generally feeling unwell, weak and tired all the time.

I had my appendix removed through 3 keyhole incisions and a long operation nearly 2 years ago now, and I did experience some pain like I am experiencing at the moment a couple of weeks after having it removed, but then it seemed to disappear and I was okay. It it not contiunuous pain in my abdomen, but it comes and goes, and I do have pain every day - mainly small sharp shooting pain which feels deep and causes me to clutch my side, its similar to having a stitch. Sometimes I experience pain going round towards my back, but that is not a deep pain, it is more achy, and I have experienced pain on the left side too but again not as severe. I have had chest pains too which have worried me as I have never experienced this before. I have also had some aching pains in my neck but I am not really concerned about that unless they could be related to anything else. I have basically just been feeling generally unwell and weak, with aches in different places. My bowels have not been normal since around October, at first I had diarrohea for a week and then I was concerned as I did not go to the toilet at all for a week and then since then this kind of pattern has continued, and I am constipated for a few days and then I have urgent need to go to the toilet.. There is sometimes mucus, black bits and occasionally blood, and generally my stool is like small droppings or not normal shape.

I had blood tests done in November and they came back showing sign of infection somewhere, as the doctor also highlighted high eosonophil levels but said that she wasn't concerned, as at the time I did have swollen tonsils and she thought it was maybe because of this. She gave me amoxicillin to take for a week but that did not change anything and so I went back, she still did not really know why I was having pain and feeling poorly; next they gave me clarithromycin  to take for a week, however this did not change anything either. I went back again and she decided to refer me to the gastrointestinal department at the hospital (this was at beginning of December), to possibly see the surgeon who did my surgery nearly 2 years ago. Therefore, I was put on a waiting list and even though she has put it as urgent, I had to wait until February. I felt that I could not wait this long as my symptoms have been getting worse, and so she sent me in to the hospital last week after also having a temperature, where they did a stool test, urine test and blood tests. My temperature, blood pressure and heart rate were all high. Blood and urine tests came back okay though, I asked about eosonophil levels as I said these have been high for a while but they said they were not concerned about this. The doctor mentioned that she does not think it would be a problem resulting from the surgery, but she did say it could be something to do with my ovaries or colon. I have not had results from the stool test back yet, but I am going for an ultrasound scan and to see a gynaecologist in a few days.

I am just wondering if anyone has been experiencing similar symptoms, or has had problems after having appendix surgery, and maybe thinking it could be related to this? I am worried that it could be something serious such as cancer as I have been suffering for a while, but I am only 22? If anyone could give me any advice as to what may be causing my pain or if they have been in a similar situation, it would be very helpful!

3 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • Posted

    I'm sorry mam. That sounds terrible. Im not sure what to make of that, any time theres blood and mucus and not just mucus......is not good. Also the flucuation of bowel movements. I have only constipation, mucus with my aches and pains. I have no blood, except from anal irritation sometimes red specs on my tp. Rarely. Plz try to relax. I wish I had better words for you. Feel free to write again.
    • Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for your message. There is only small bits of blood and not all the time. Hope you're okay!

    • Posted

      Hi,

      I went for an ultrasound scan at the hospital but am still awaiting official results. However, she did say that she could not see anything major such as cysts, but she did keep zooming in and out on one particular bit and I'm sure there were black things, not sure what they were though.. She did also say that sometimes inflammation in the bowel may not show up on the scan. So she said I will be seeing a consultant soon. Hopefully some good news!

    • Posted

      I have big problems I think. I think my dysmotility is progressing. Im scared.
  • Posted

    Hi Jess

    Was just wondering how you got on im sure it will be ok I was following your post

    Take care

    Kev

    • Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for your message! I have had an MRI scan recently and am now awaiting the results, so hopefully I will be closer to knowing what's going on! They said could be an inflammatory disease such as Crohn's or could be a cyst somewhere like ovaries, they said that the mri should determine what it is!!

    • Posted

      Fingers crossed you will be glad to get a diagnosis then you can start to get it sorted properly good luck
    • Posted

      So I have had my mri results today over the phone after ringing up and still not receiving a letter. The secretary said that the mri showed that there are enlarged lymph glands, which I'm not sure what that means really in terms of what's wrong but I am quite worried. Apparently there will be a meeting to discuss in 2 weeks and go from there.. Couldn't tell me exactly where they were either, somewhere in tummy.. so not sure what to think really! Think I will make appointment with docs this week to go talk about it.

    • Posted

      Hi Jess

      Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of infection inflammation close to the area .

      We also have them in the stomach which can flare up if an infection is there .

      I know your really worried until

      You se your consultant they will probably send you for other tests to make a right diagnosis

      I hope everything gets sorted and you can go bank to living your life pain free please let us know how you get on

      Take care

    • Posted

      Hi,

      Sorry I did post a reply but for some reason it didn't post! Haven't heard anything from the meeting about mri results yet but have seen someone about tonsils and they said they aren't worried about those so I guess that's good news!

  • Posted

    I'm surprised after all this that your GP/Gastroenterologist hasn't arranged for you to have a colonoscopy. That would quickly and easily determine whether there was a problem within the large bowel. I had one myself  just 2 days ago. From the description of the symptoms. in your op I would have thought it was essential just to determine what was causing the blood/mucus in your stools. It doesn't mean your symptons are cancer, because they could be symptoms of colitis

    If you are still having bowel problems I would get a colonoscopy done, pronto..It takes between 30 -45 minutes to have one done. It's not particularly invasive or embarrassing. And you'll know at the end of it whether you have a problem there or otherwise.

    • Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for your message! I will see what they say after the meeting next and see where to go from there!

  • Posted

    My own experience of colonoscopy was so agonisingly painful I'd never advise anyone to accept the procedure. I had a lot of scar tissue from previous abdominal ops, which the operative ignored. She went on pumping gas into my rectum and bowel, ignoring my screaming.  She ignored me till someone else came into the room to investigate my screams, and insisted she MUST adandon the procedure.

    I'm sure my gut problems  have increased greatly since: she may have done a great deal of harm. Avoid this mediaeval torture at all costs.

    • Posted

      Oh no your experience sounds awful! I will see what they say about my results and see what has to be done!
    • Posted

      Hi Jess,

      Do not be put off by one 1 or 2 people saying a colonoscopy is painful. I can tell you that is categorically not the case. I've just had my third one (in 10 years) done without a sedative, and although it can be a little uncomfortable at times during the process, it is not screamingly painful. The previous op talked about it being performed by an 'operative', Well it should be performed by a qualified Gastroenterologist or Registrar at the very least.

      If you browse the posts on colonoscopy you'll see that the overwhelming majority have no problems with the procedure. What they may diagnose on the other hand might not be great news, and that's the one thing naturally to worry about, not the procedure itself. It's the best way to go and get yourself sorted in your case.

      Good luck, bite the bullet and get a colonoscopy done asap, and then you can move forward..

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