New here and really scared.
Hello everyone,I was hoping for some support and advice here. So I noticed blood in my stools in mid August but I left it until the end of September to bring it up to my doctor because I kept putting it off and thinking it would go away, as thinking it was maybe piles or something. I done a QFIT test and a stool sample, positive for blood and inflammation, I am going for a colonoscopy next week.I have been feeling so unbelievably drained I have been unable to keep up with my usual life, I am sleeping my life away and my stomach is in absolute agony most of the time, I am having really bad coccyx pain, it was mild for a few weeks but this past week and a half it’s so painful, I am irritable and tearful and all the rest! I am terrified it’s bowel cancer…I suffer anxiety too so I am terrified about my colonoscopy, not the actual procedure but the whole prep and getting to the hospital and making it to the procedure without a panic attack, I am terrified of the results. I have been bleeding solidly now for almost 3.5 months, I can’t help but think the worst. Any words of comfort or honest opinions would be greatly appreciated, thank you xx
I am so sorry you are going through all of this @Triona! It is completely understandable for you to have such concerns, but it is important to just take one day at a time and not worry about the outcome. When I am worried about the outcome of a test, I just take it one step at a time. For example, Step 1: schedule colonoscopy, Step 2: prep for colonoscopy, Step 3: have colonoscopy, etc. It prevents me from getting ahead of myself because the unknown can be very scary--or it can provide relief!
It also makes sense that you are so fatigued since you are losing blood daily, so I would suggest that you alert your GI team to check your iron levels and get the colonoscopy scheduled. Again, just take it one day at a time and be sure to listen to your body and rest when you can so that it can focus on healing and being stronger. Please let us know how your journey progresses--we will all be thinking of you!
--Julie (Team Member)
Hi Julie, firstly I’d like to thank you for such a lovely reply and for your concern, I think my first post last night was quite rambling as I was very anxious when I was posting it! Thanks for the advice, I am definitely going to try taking the approach of one step at a time, it’s solid advice and I know it will be helpful and hopefully I won’t let my head run away on me again too much! Today was a bit rubbish because for the first time my family commented how I look quite ill, I had bloods done about 6wks ago and incredibly I wasn’t low in iron, which I couldn’t believe as the blood loss was quite a lot! But I am guessing my body putting up a fight against whatever is going on is enough to drain me. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy on the 29th of this month and no doubt I will be back here again once it’s over. Thanks again, I really appreciate you getting back to me ❤️ Xx
My pleasure, @Triona! I hope your colonoscopy went well today, and that you were at least provided some answers to get you moving in the right direction! Are you willing to share what was discovered/discussed?
--Julie (Team Member)
Hi Julie, yes I have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, they found bleeding, ulceration and erythema, biopsies have been taken to confirm wether crohns or colitis, I am starting Pentasa this week. I am feeling relieved it wasn’t cancer but I also feel really down and overwhelmed now with this diagnoses. Thanks so much for getting in touch, I really appreciate it xx
I am so sorry you are going through this. I really hope you feel better soon. I guess the positive is that you have support that can help with the kids, that's such a silver lining. Hopefully you can find some time to rest and heal. I hope things improve soon. The holidays can certainly be stressful. Sending strength your way, Elizabeth (team member) 
hoping things are a little better for you now, and you finally have a definitive diagnosis of Crohn's disease or UC?
I am really sorry to hear that your Christmas got screwed up. You're not alone in feeling said and frustrated because you can't do all of the things that you want to! It can be a very isolating disease!
~ Sahara (team member)
Hi Pam, thanks for reaching out ❤️ I’m ok, started Pentasa on Friday but haven’t noticed any difference in symptoms yet, still trying to get my head around the idea and am nervous at the thought of having to ever go on steroids or immunosuppressant medication so really hoping the Pentasa kicks in and helps soon!xx
I hope so too!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you and sending you lots of well wishes <3 - Pam (team member)
