What were your symptoms prior to diagnosis of bowel cancer?

In my case, in early 2023 when I saw blood in the toilet, I took myself the next day to the Urgent Treatment Centre (as opposed to A & E) of the local main hospital where, after triage and waiting in their waiting area, I was seen by the nurses/doctors that same day, kept in and then received fantastic care as an inpatient over the next few days with monitoring, blood tests, medication, seen by one of the hospital's bowel surgeon and had a colonoscopy which found a large cancer tumour is the ascending large bowel. Glad to say that after major bowel cancer surgery still in early 23, followed by Capox chemotherapy, and some radiotherapy for a small liver lesion, I was given the all-clear late 2024 thankfully. A couple of routine NHS FIT tests a few years before had been negative which I guess was because the tumour was there and growing slowly but was not bleeding! It seems to me that if you have the symptoms of what might be bowel tumour(s), a colonoscopy should be done with minimum delay. 

I totally agree. No matter what age blood isnt normal.  Thankyou for your reply. 

Karen

I am SO angry reading this for you! This is not acceptable 'treatment '. If it is BC, as we all know, the earlier it's detected,  the more positive the outcome. I won't repeat my long story, it's all on my profile, but having been through it all, I know that the only definitive testing is colonoscopie ( the 'gold standard ') & with your symptoms,  this should be first priority & absolutely no way should you be waiting what you have been told for this to happen. It should be within a fortnight and you may have to present to A & E sadly as I've had to many times, in order to get what you definitely need now. To be fair, once I'd got my BC diagnosed eventually ,I cannot fault my treatment and all extremely rapid which is how it should always be ( just a couple of months ago had an abnormality on CT & was having an urgent colonoscopie within four days). Please demand more rapid response and keep in touch with us, thinking of you x

It is madness that an urgent request from a gastro consultant takes months!! I am still awaiting a GP referral for private, so hoping that comes in today, then I can have all tests done next week. 

I think one or two people have asked what symptoms I had. I had no symptoms until a few days before diagnosis of a large cancer tumour. I lived life normally and had no idea that there was a problem, walking a lot, eating normally, etc. Following three successive days of long tough walks, I felt a bit of pain around the knee in one leg on the last walk. By the next day, the lower leg was slightly swollen which I suspected was a DVT. This was confirmed that same day at the hospital UTC and I was put on anti-coagulants straight away. That same day, after taking the anti-coagulant, I noticed blood in the loo in the evening, Two days later back to the UTC where I was kept in and had a colonoscopy which discovered the large tumour. The long tough walks may have caused the tumour to finally bleed which in turn may have caused the DVT which in turn led to the discovery of the tumour. I was lucky that it was found by chance and that I was treated fairly quickly. With hindsight I had somewhat irregular and too frequent loo visits. Maybe a hint of breathlessness at the start of a fast walk.

I really regretted not having had an occasional routine colonoscopy years before which would have probably spotted the tumour at a much earlier and smaller stage, As it is, I had to have major surgery with lots of lymph nodes removed, many of which were found to become cancerous. I was been given the all-clear this April and back to long walks fitness, and keeping fingers crossed for the future, albeit having to live with unpleasant neuropathy post-chemo.  I am a male aged 81. Best wishes to all.  Anbou.

So pleased to hear you are now cancer free like me, long may it last Anbou! I too have peripheral neuropathy left over following last year's chemotherapy due too lymph nodes being positive too. Mine is in my feet only, do you mind me asking where yours is? Was told 'could' ease off in a year but still the same so likely forever now sadly . GP tried Pregabalin but did nothing for the numbness ( not ideal on pedals while driving!), constant tingling, freezing cold then burning symptoms just caused side effects so stopped that! Have you found anything helpful? I'll obviously take this to be cancer free as the chemo worked but it's frustrating! Take care x

I also have peripheral neuropathy from my chemo. It is mostly in my lower legs and feet but also a bit in my hands. I've seen some improvements but it's been a year and I fear some of this is permanent. 

I was recently prescribed doloxitine (Cymbalta) and it has eased some of the symptoms. It isn't a cure but it helped reduce pain. I recently was able to start driving again... it's a challenge but doable. 

Hello Bamo,  The unfortunate side effect of peripheral neuropathy can be permanent for some and temporary for others. (In my case it started early with Capox chemotherapy, even at a much reduced dosage level because I was found to have a DPD Deficiency , as does a significant percentage of the population I understand). The symptoms you described seem very similar to mine. In my case it is mainly feet, legs from the knees down and my fingers. Now and again there seems to be a surge which might last a few hours with a hint of neuropathy around nose and mouth and one or two other places. Sometimes I wonder if the surges also affects some internal areas e.g. in the stomach and digestive system.

I have posted at some length several times in the last couple on the PN problem, also seeking any tips which might help. Not sure how, but there is probably a way for you to access older posts, maybe under Neuropathy and/or under Anbou posts. The following below is a summary more or less of it all - - - 

I have been prescribed Amitriptylene but have held off taking so far because I want to try various non-drug tactics first. As Susan 13 mentions above, those drugs can ease but not cure neuropathy. I took Vitamin B12 daily for over a month but that does not seem to have helped. I intend to try occasional massage of legs and feet by a physio, and maybe occasional reflexology. 

Generally I find that wearing warmish loose socks and one-size-up shoes help a little. Also wearing light warmish loose socks at night helps. Walking some distance, if possible daily, helps. Lying in bed for an hour or so occasionally helps. Creaming and massaging the feet and lower legs now and then helps (Dermol 500, Epimax and Udderly Smooth are the ones I use. Ocasionally I will give my feet a good rub with Deep Heat Max Strength). Heat pads in shoes do help when the cold feet sensation gets bad; the pads last some 8 hours. I also have a foot vibrator-warmer-massager at home and use it occasionally for10-15 min sessions. Not sure, but it may be that too much coffee and also alcohol may exacerbate PN, especially in the feet. Generally it helps to move/walk about at home (do not sit for too long e.g. at a desk/computer). Ultimately, it is a question of keeping the mind distracted away from PN as much as possible! I hope this can help you and others a little, and that in your case PN will slowly subside. Any other tips always welcome!! Good luck! 

Hi Anbou, thanks for the reply and some great ideas I'll give a whirl. Yes, I'm not keen on any more prescribed drugs, the ones I've tried did nothing but cause side effects and my system has had way too much to deal with so trying lots of supplements also. Definitely warm socks help, look a bit bonkers in the recent heat but is what it is ! I'll try massaging emollients as haven't been doing that. I had some lovely reflexology last year when having treatment via local hospice which was wonderful,  may be worth investing in that again. Wishing you well, take good care x

Hi Susan13, great to hear your back driving,  that independence certainly helps. I needed to drive barefoot for 6 months as just couldn't properly feel the pedals wearing shoes which wasn't ideal,  with the constant tingling and numbness but find I can now as long as the soles not too thick! I drive daily for work as a community nurse , so had to adapt! So maybe some slight improvement but i too ,fear this is now permanent to a degree. However,  as said, will take this over still having cancer, small price to pay and eternally greatful for this treatment doing what it needed to! Wishing you good health x