Honest advice

FormerMember over 4 years ago

3 replies
116 subscribers
938 views

Hello lovely people.

I was hoping for some good honest advice. Honestly, I need it telling like it is! I'm 35 and have had rectal bleeding, bloating, bowel habit changes and acid reflux and was referred on the 2 week pathway for a colonoscopy. I had this on Wednesday and it was incomplete due to pain as I could not be sedated. The Dr managed to see 40cm and took random biopsies. The report doesn't suggest further action.

My question is, what should I do now? If anything? I've not had a full answer as to why I've experienced bleeding etc and if you give me something to worry about, I will! I'm still fretting.

Do I accept that its probably IBS and leave it or is there a way of asking for further tests? Is this appropriate given COVID/ costs of tests / my age and clear bloods?

Don't want to be a nuisance.

Thank you and have a good weekend x

court over 4 years ago

Firstly I don’t think you are being a nuisance in seeking to know why you have rectal bleeding . It is only appropriate that you find out the reason for any bleeding so you can either put your mind totally at ease or get treatment for even benign conditions to stop the bleeding !

I am not sure the reasons for you not having sedation but what springs to mind would you be better asking for a virtual colonoscopy. You subjected yourself to the process to find out the reason for the bleeding and that is still the question you need an answer to.
Our helpline team might be able to talk this through with you and how best to proceed .

It’s just a question that needs an answer .
Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

Hi Court. Thanks for your reply. I couldn't be sedated as my partner wouldn't have been with me the next day. I thought I just needed someone overnight.

I will speak to someone on the helpline in the week. Thanks for the advice.

Nettie123 over 4 years ago

Hi Clarabeans 1,

Glad you were going to take Courts excellent advice. It's so easy to simply 'assume' it's something else. I had a colonoscopy (Jan 2018), the pictures were not very clear (maybe my fault - bad prep etc) hence the Dr said he couldn't understand why I'd been 'fast-tracked' and he simply referred me back to my GP. Bleeding persisted. I ended up going back to Dr and various consultants, several times between 2018 and 2020 - MRI's, CT's, various tests, but another colonoscopy was not suggested and I did begin to feel I was just making a fuss. It was only late, in Dec 2020, when I was sent a routine Cancer Scan kit (over 60's get them!) that the problem was highlighted and on Jan 22nd 2021 I was diagnosed with stage III cancer. I'm progressing, after surgery - now on chemo and coping well, BUT...catching a benign polyp or very early cancer, in 2018, would have been easier!! So please, please, don't ever feel you're making a fuss, ensure you state your worries and request the care you need!