Over 2 years and really scared need to talk - Cancer: Colon Message Board

Deany · 03-07-2007, 01:58 PM

Hi,

Sorry for this post as Im sure there are so many 'im worried posts' and Im sure its not very nice for people who have been diagnosed.

But heres my story, Im male and 36 in the UK.

In november of 2004 I was sitting in the cinema, I didnt feel too well before I went there, but suddenly I started sweating and urgently needed to pass a stool. I rushed home feeling very unwell with dirreah.

The loose stools continued for a few days and i went to the GP. Ironically I had been ill a few months before, totally unrelated but had read about Colon cancer and suddenly become really paranoid about my stools.

The GP did the usual tests , stool sample etc for any kind of illness. All came back negative.

I never had it as bad as the cinema night but something was not right. The stools were light colored, soft, passing more than usual and I had a colicky pain in my right side.

After going back and fourth to the doctor they noticed I had an enlarged thyroid and it was found I had tumors on my tyroid. This detracted from the stomach issue as I had biopsys , all came back benign andmy thyroid was functioning normally. All very stressful in itself.

Then I had really bad psyroiss, which i never had before.

I then was given a sigmoidoscopy, all clear. The pain in my right side remained and the loose stools for several months. Then they found H Pylori, then that was taken care of with drugs.

But the loose stools continued but not as frquent and the normal colour returned. The right also became less but then then decided to give me an ultrasound. That came back clear apart from my gallbladder was filled with sludge.

The right side pain vanished completely after about 9 months, returning occassionally. But my loose stools continue to this day, on the odd occassion they are watery, last happened about 5 months ago.

I am so worried that I now taken 1 or 2 immodium on a daily basis. There has been no blood that I can see. I have thought I saw blood, but that was definately a harmorrid and the other time some red pepper

Odd how when you look for things you can find them.

I have like spams in the right side now every so often, and at times very gassy. But nothing like before.

I am really concerned, my life has completely altered. Even one glass of wine seems to mess me up.

This has been happening so long now that I have got myself into a tizz. I am avoiding going to the GP again after so many visits and terrifed of seeing my consultant.

I read that 104 males in my age group are diagnosed in the UK and 1 in 10 people who have a colonoscopy are found to have cancer.

I think about it all the time, especially at night.

When this all started I just came out of a 13 year relationship and was really depressed, although we got back together.

I have looked at my family history and everyone has lived to be in their 80;s for the last 4 generations. No cancer at all.

I know the advice will be to go and then my mind can be put at rest or they can help me. But Im terrified. Even my partner doesnt take it seriously as its gone on so long.

Sorry to make such a long post about this, but sometimes I feel like perhaps Im making things worse for myself.

Skinamarinka · 03-07-2007, 03:38 PM

Hello,
I do not know much about colon cancer, but it sounds as though your gut and intestines would benefit greatly from some really good probiotics. Also, my brother has a gallballer issue and did a cleanse and now watches his fatty food and alcohol consumption, both of which send it flaring. He had a horrible mysterious pain in his side for years. In and out of the ER with no diagnosis. Fianlly, one doctor suggested his gallbladder was the culprit and since taking care not to irritate it, he has been much better.
You can find a detox especially for the gallbladder. One my bother used was drinking 1/2 cup organic tomato juice, 2 Tablespoons organic virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon grated raw garlic, 2 capsules of 500mg tumeric/curcumin. Mix all ingredients together in a blender. Drink the drink and wait 15 minutes and drink another one. Do this once a week for 2 months.

The probiotics should help with your stool by repopulating the good gut bacteria in your intestines and stomach.

Best wishe to you.

arlmon18 · 03-09-2007, 08:45 AM

Deany - why don't you have a colonoscopy? You may have polyps and won't even know it. Has your doctor recommended this procedure? I wouldn't drink any concoctions if I were you.

brook65 · 03-09-2007, 11:34 AM

You could have irritable bowel syndrome, maybe you should keep a diary of food eaten and see if there are any links to say food allegies or something similar.

My partner has ulcerative colitis, some of what you mention he suffered and still does obviously before diagnosis, but he also suffered painful spasms in his lower stomach region before needing to go to the toilet.

Are you losing any weight? I have bowel cancer in my family, but you say that noone in your family has had cancer, well that in itself lowers the risk a fair bit.

I think the best thing you can do is ask for a referal to a specialist, general gps only know so much.

Easier said than done, but try not to worry

Deany · 03-10-2007, 08:43 AM

Thanks for the replys.

The thing is its gone on so long I got myself into a state. At the beginning I wanted a colonoscopy but the consultant said no. I actually said should I not have this and he said "Im the consultant', hey thats me told.

So they did a sigmoidoscopy and all was fine. But obviously right side discomfort is the part of the colon not looked at by a sigmoidoscopy.

Now I just feel so scared to find out.

There are so many conditions that can cause these symptoms. I find it odd how they come and go. At the moment they are back full time.

Every so often psorosis flares up with it and my back and neck are really achey. Symptoms I believe of IBD but they did a blood test and said I didnt have any inflammatory markers or something.

I am so depressed about it that now I hardly go to social events or anything. Its really getting me down.

Im not a big drinker but even one glass of wine seems to mess me up a few hours later. Its like my colon is so easily irritated by anything.

You mention polyps but wouldnt these have to be cancerous to give me all these symptoms ? I thought many people have polyps and dont know because they dont generate symptoms.