Hello everyone,
I'm joining this group for my husband to find out information and gain support. I've just had the first anniversary of my own cancer treatments and think "Here we go again!"
Recently my hubby had a Cardio Vascular "Well man" clinic where he undertook various tests. He had full bloods taken and was called back to his GP to discuss the results which had revealed anaemia. He was put on Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 supplements and had another test some 6 weeks later which have showed little change, his Red Blood Count is still low. His GP has now referred him on the 2ww pathway for Bowel cancer but he isn't showing any symptoms whatsoever, no blood in stools, no fatigue and we're waiting for a date for a colonoscopy. He did lose a lot of weight earlier this year when he was on Co-codamol to ease pain - he's waiting for a hip replacement. We did read somewhere males over 60 can experience weight loss and once he came off them his weight has increased a bit.
I checked back on his Online medical history and found the last time he'd had a similar GP's clinic (5 years ago) his blood pressure was a bit high hence he was put on Ramipril 5mg. Prior to this his Red Blood Cell count was fine but his white blood cell was a little low. After going on Ramipril his blood pressure reduced and he had a blood test every 6 months for Kidney function only (U&E)
Now, as a result of this recent full blood test 5 years on his RBC's are low but I read on the side effects for Ramipril it can cause a reduction in RBC's so shouldn't his GP have noticed this and perhaps reduced his Ramipril dosage rather than putting him on the 2ww pathway?
He's 78 experiencing extreme discomfort waiting for a hip replacement and isn't sure if the colonoscopy reveals he's got cancer he'd want to go down any surgery or chemo which could impact on his quality of life, which due to the pain he's in is pretty bad anyway.
Any thoughts or advice anyone?
Bx
Hi Kareno62. Thanks for your reply. As hubby's consult was over the phone we didn't see any criteria paperwork so that's useful to know. We just thought weight loss = Co-codamol and low RBC count = Ramipril.
As you say the colonoscopy, though unpleasant, especially the prep, will rule out other things. He's already had cancer in the past, Prostate Cancer diagnosed in 2013, discharged back to GP in 2018. The C word doesn't bother him, he's a "What will be, will be" type of guy. It's just the thought of if it is - ongoing visits to hospitals. I'm still doing mine quarterly! Thought we were off the roller-coaster ride!
Once we get a date and details about the prep I'll probably post again, thanks for the offer of advice.
You'll see from the title beneath my name I'm defo the one for being positive and Onwards and Upwards! It's himself that's the opposite!
Thanks NannyAnny for your reply as well. Hubby wasn't put on Iron tablets, he was put on Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 - he's still blooming grumpy though!
Hugs, B xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
Hi court. Thanks for that. It's only the lovely people on these forums keep me going. When I used to go to Oncology with hubby for his treatments back in 2014 I didn't dream 6 years later I'd be the one having treatment and now a year on the looming roller-coaster ride is back at the gate. Heh ho - Never thought Onwards and upwards would have a sinister meaning!
B xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
