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Colonoscopy and Fear of Colon Cancer

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Posted 9/26/2014 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi! I'm a new member here, but I've been reading this website for quite some time now, being that I suffer from health anxiety and I have a bad habit of googling every single symptom I feel I have.

My "latest" fear is having colon cancer, and it's based on the fact that since May or June this year I've been noticing blood on my stool. It comes and it goes. I checked with a surgeon who told me it could be 1st grade hemorrhoids- that is after he did a rectal exam. He requested for fecal occult blood test but I did not go through it as I was too scared of the possible result. :(

I let months pass and just a few days ago when I noticed the blood again, I ran to a clinic. The IM doc dismissed me and said it could be hemorrhoids but I insisted on getting a colonoscopy. I'm scheduled to have one next Saturday. Now I am worried sick and have been anxious about the prep, the actual procedure, but most of all, the result. I'm afraid it will be the big C.

I'm 31 y/o with two kids. Last yr when I was pregnant, I was rushed to the ER coz while I was straining in the bathroom (I know, not the right thing to do, but it had been 4 days already), I saw drops of blood on the floor. I thought I would have miscarriage. But the baby was okay, and my OB said it was hemorrhoids. Could this have started everything? But it's been almost a year since that incident.

I want to face my fear and get this over and done with. But I don't know what I would do if I get a not so good result. My father passed away last June, and since then my hypochondria has gone into overdrive.

Sorry for the long post. I'm really looking forward to your responses. Maybe you can share your experiences and help me put my mind at ease. Thank you!

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Posted 9/26/2014 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds really likely that it could be hemorrhoids (hey, that's a tough word to spell - don't think I've ever typed it before!) -- but good for you for insisting on a colonoscopy and making sure you find out definitively.

Since it's all set up now, try to rest easy and not worry about it between now and then. You already know that won't do you a bit of good. The prep isn't fun (I've done it twice) but the procedure is a breeze and they'll knock you out for it. Just don't make the mistake I did last time of telling them you want to watch it on the screen while it's happening. smilewinkgrin

Just think what a relief it will be if you get good results, which you're likely to do. No more worries about that! It's definitely worth some nail biting meanwhile. Check back and let us know how it goes.
Posted 9/26/2014 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, zuzubee. I've had a lot of tests done (for other illnesses I thought I had) and they all came back normal. But I always think that maybe this time I'll get the scary diagnosis.

Why do you say it's a bad idea to watch it on the screen? :)
Posted 9/26/2014 9:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not a doctor, but one thing I've learned is that if the blood is red, there's generally a lot less to worry about. Has your doctor done a visual exam and checked for polyps or anything. Or yeah, hemorrhoids?

When you hear hoof beats, think of horses not zebras....it's most often the simpler of the two! :)




M.
Posted 9/26/2014 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mla and welcome.

Great advice above...I just want to add my encouragement and say that I am glad that you have joined us.

Are you definitely going to go through with your test? If so, we have many threads on colonoscopy fears/concerns. You can do a search here to read more on that. (Search icon in toolbar, upper right)

If it turns out that health anxiety is indeed the thing that is making your worries blown out of proportion here...come on back and let us support you!

We have many members with health anxiety, and therefore many resources for helping with this issue.:)


Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/26/2014 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
The reason I said it's a bad idea to watch it on the screen is that means you're not totally zonked out for it!

:)
Posted 9/26/2014 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Mia, i passed blood every BM for over 10 years, Red blood, normally with
colon cancer you will find black tary blood it is from farther up in your
system, I was actually anemic when i had surgery to correct this problem,

From the first day after surgery i never had another problem, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/26/2014 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I think its most likely hemorrhoids, they could be internal, also as mentioned if the blood is bright red it is likely that. When you wipe is the blood on the toilet paper or just in your stools? If its on the toilet paper its likely hemorrhoids. I would go down the route of having that possibility treated before going through with a colonoscopy, although if your a worrier it might put your mind at rest.
Posted 9/27/2014 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I can't give any advice on what it might or might not be but i wanted to tell you I'm only 23 I have IBS and I had a colonoscopy like 1-2 years ago. They prep is the worst part but it isn't that bad. Just be prepared with stuff to keep you occupied. Once you actually go in they just knock you out and when I woke up I couldn't tell anything had happened. Just wanted to help you feel more relaxed about the procedure because I was really scared and it was all for nothing. This was the easiest procedure I've ever been through.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
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