Scared I might have cancer, might need colonoscopy

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hi everyone,

I'm 18 and i've had hemmerhoids/anal fissures quite a few times in my life. This time though, i've been bleeding since June (4 months ish) and also having constipation and stools that are like small pebbles constantly since June. It's so painful to pass. I finally got to the doctors today and he prescribed me some medication for hemmerhoids but said if it doesn't help my symptoms within a week i'll need a colonoscopy and i'm so scared. I'm worried this means that this is serious and I may have cancer. I can't stop panicking. I'm also so nervous to have the colonoscopy, i'm worried it's going to be really painful 😦

I just thought it might help me if i asked on here and spoke to some people that might've been in my shoes. Thank you

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Honestly do not be scared. The colonoscopy is not painful as you are sedated. Mine potentially saved my life , as they found I had a pre -cancerous polyp which I have now had removed. All the best you will be fine .

  • Posted

    What shade of red is the blood??...if it is very dark then it may have came from high inside your bowel which could indicate disease...BUT if it is a very bright scarlet colour it probably will have come from just inside your anus as it would not have mixed in very much with your brown stools. At your young age i would say it is very unlikely that it is cancer but a colonoscopy would be a good idea to put pour mind at rest. I know there are some horror stories about colonoscopies but believe me the prep for the 2 days or so beforehand is the worst!!. The procedure itself, for me at least, was totally painless...just a bit of pressure. I would recommend you have sedation which although you are still awake it relaxes you and should cancel out any discomfort...best wishes.

  • Posted

    Hi Noodle46

    I too had similar symptoms to you bleeding for 6months,poo pebbles,constant urge to move my bowels and so very painful when I did.

    I was giving the option of oral tablets or suppositories to use but they never truly cleared it after using for 3 months(I used the suppositories)I still bled and it could still be quite painful to go to the toilet.Got booked in for a colonoscopy and was terrified of procedure and what the result would be.I had sedation and it was over and done with in less than half an hour.I never felt a thing and was awake all through it!

    The result was I had ulcers and my lower bowel was inflamed but luckily no signs of cancer.Ive since used steriod suppositories for 2months alongside Pentasa suppositories and now only use the Pentasa nightly.

    No bleeding at all now and although I do have the odd poo its not bloody or painful.

    I think you will be fine but its much better to know than speculate about what it could be.Also if there is anything sinister it will have been caught and treated quickly.

    Please try not to worry too much I hope what Ive said might help you in a small way.

    Good luck.

    • Posted

      hi heather

      which sedation did you have that allowed you to be awake?

  • Posted

    HI. You seem a bit young to have bowel cancer, but as others have said, a colonoscopy will ease your anxiety. I was mildly sedated but remember everything and watched it on the screen. Very little discomfort. They were routine checks after surgery and all good. Don't worry, all will be ok!

    • Posted

      Hi, John, new to this thread... I just had a Cologuard test come back positive... BUMMER!! So I will do my first colonoscopy... I read too much about it, some think it can be dangerous... jeeze!! I am 62 and probably should have had one earlier... but no blood in stools, had a minor 'roid a couple of weeks ago... no blood though...

      Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated...

  • Posted

    I think it will be unlikely that you have bowel cancer it probably stems from constipation you need to eat more fruit and fiber exercise like walking is good for your constipation and drinking lots of water orange juice is good if you manage to improve your bowel habit your bleeding should improve and stop,you need to keep a food diary and make sure you are drinking and getting enough exercise.A colonoscopy is not that bad at least you will have a good clear out which actually might help your constipation.Also taking something like sennacot for a couple of days will help your constipation.

  • Posted

    It sounds like your constipated and have been for weeks. Buy some lactulose from the chemist and take twice a day. I have been bleeding for 21 years and have had a ct colonoscopy a sgmoidoscopy and a normal colonoscopy and still have no answers. I have had fissures piles etc. I wouldn't worry too much about the colonoscopy it's self the only pain or discomfort you should feel is when the gas is just going in. Ask them for the maximum dose they can give you for your height and weight etc. I had 3 lots pumped into me including buscopan and as soon as they did I never felt a thing or remember.

  • Posted

    It sounds like your constipated and have been for weeks. Buy some lactulose from the chemist and take twice a day. I have been bleeding for 21 years and have had a ct colonoscopy a sgmoidoscopy and a normal colonoscopy and still have no answers. I have had fissures piles etc. I wouldn't worry too much about the colonoscopy it's self the only pain or discomfort you should feel is when the gas is just going in. Ask them for the maximum dose they can give you for your height and weight etc. I had 3 lots pumped into me including buscopan and as soon as they did I never felt a thing or remember.

  • Posted

    I had my first colonoscopy done in May 2018 they did find a small leision like poylp and a very large 5 cm poylp the only option for me was too have half of my colon removed and I am doing good happy I had it done the colonoscopy is not scary they put you too sleep mine only last 20 minutes and that was it. I have had plenty if procedures done this year alone not scared anymore like I use to be.

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