My story starts with me noticing blood on on my stools. After a few times I decided to see my doctor. I was referred to a gastro doctor. In the month that it took me to get an appointment, I began having left-sided abdomianl pains that went from underneath my ribs to almost to my groin area. I can even feel the "gas bubbles" on that side. My gastro doctor seems to believe that the bleeding may be coming from internal hemmoroids and the pain could be colon spasms, but scheduled me for a colonoscopy in a month and told me to take Citrucel. I have been reading so many things on the internet and have become deathly afraid that it my be colon cancer. I sometimes believe the stress is giving me more pains than I really have, but I can't seem to help it.

Can someone please tell me if they have any of these similar symptoms???

The first thing you need to do is forget the cancer part. If your doctor suspected something so serious, he would have you in for a colonoscopy much more quickly than he has. Next, go to the "Irritable bowel syndrom" forum on this web site. You will find lots and lots of people with your symptoms - and that may put your mind at rest until your doctors appoint.
Best of luck -

Hello, I hope I can ease your mind a little, i am 24 and one day I saw blood in my stool I totally flipped and I went to a gastro doc and he did a colonoscopy on me and like you I had pains also, He told me it was internal hemmroids and I had colon spasms(i.b.s).The test is not that bad! I'm sure your o.k. black stools in when the you should worry. I hope all goes well and please let us know how you are doing....you are not alone with your symptoms so take a deep breath and relax. god bless

Thank you for your responses, I know it's been a while. I'm trying to keep positive and will give you an update when my test is done.

Thanks for your support.

[This message has been edited by totallyafraid (edited 07-27-2003).]