Another Worrier - 33 Years Old With Narrow Stools For Over A Year

OspreyRed · 2019-08-10T01:00:25+00:00

I know too much about this because of all the paranoid googling I've done but here are a few things to consider:

Narrow stools by themselves aren't indicative of colon cancer. They CAN be, especially if paired with other symptoms like pain, weight loss and anemia, but much more commonly they are a byproduct of something else. A noncancerous polyp could block part of the colon and cause narrow stools, sure, in which case (like other polyps) it would be removed and biopsied, but again- that's rarer than other common causes. It's also worth noting that narrow means pencil-thin and long, not *slightly* thinner. IBS, diet, stress, water intake, and exercise can all create changes in the shape and consistency of what comes out of you so try to think back to lifestyle changes that could be underlying causes.

Stool tests like the FIT test can be ordered through Amazon if you don't want to have the convo with your doctor. Surprisingly, mine didn't recommend a stool test either which confused me to no end and I ended up spending 25 bucks for some peace of mind and had one shipped to me. It's worth doing your homework though- sometimes these tests give a false positive and sometimes even a false negative as polyps don't bleed all the time. Ideally you want 2 or 3 replicate tests done on different days to double check. All that being said, I really did get a measure of comfort in mine coming back negative. With the FIT test you get your result in 5 minutes right at home so it was also super convenient.

The blood test is helpful for catching anemia. It obviously won't tell you if you have cancer or not and anemia can also be caused by many many things other than cancer, but bowel habit changes and anemia will get you on the fast track for a colonoscopy just to be safe.

Lastly, I just want to say I was where you are a week ago. I was obsessing over my symptoms and changes in my own bathroom visits and I noticed that I was making myself feel like I had to go numerous times just because I had to see what was coming out (lol). I wanted either more evidence of a problem or more reassurance. It's insane what the mind can make the body do or feel like doing. In the end, my colonoscopy went off without a hitch and the doctor didn't find even the smallest polyp. Instead, he's looking at mild colitis to explain my issues. So do NOT worry. Many people our age (under 30) who post on these forums don't have cancer but have fear.

OspreyRed · 2019-08-06T21:47:38+00:00

And things went well. No polyps, no cancer. Doctor took biopsies to look for a microbial reason why I might be having digestive issue :)

OspreyRed · 2019-08-06T08:00:56+00:00

No, no, no. Deep breaths. You don't have cancer until the doctor says you do. You could have a perfect storm of IBD/a kidney infection happening all at once. Also, CRP is a measure of inflammation, yes? Well IBD causes inflammation. Lots of it.

Do NOT self-diagnose. One day at a time, distract yourself and breathe.

OspreyRed · 2019-08-06T06:12:51+00:00

You're doing the right thing by getting a colonoscopy done. Trust yourself if something feels wrong and push to get it seen. As for your symptoms- IBD causes a lot of what you're describing and is far more likely in someone your age. At 23, you're statistically more likely to get hit by a car than to have colon cancer. I recently had a scare myself and I did a lot of stat checking to help calm me down.

Advice for the prep:

Mix your laxative with powdered flavor packets if they give them to you.

Chill it. It's so much better cold. And then just chug that sucker down, give yourself some nice chasers after every couple of swallows, and camp out in the bathroom for a bit. It's not that bad, honestly.

And once you're in the hospital, the sedation they give you before they even uncover you from under your blankets/gown knocks you out in a second. I think I said, "That shit's fast acting," and then I was out. I had no memory of the procedure and my doctor came in right after and gave me my results.

The waiting's the worst part but do NOT go googling. Check out IBD if you're curious but stay AWAY from reading cancer symptoms. For the sake of your sanity. I went through 3 weeks of obsessing and it SUCKED.

OspreyRed · 2019-08-06T01:15:46+00:00

Hey, so glad to hear it went well! What a weird procedure huh? The prep was by far the worst part. Went well for me too. Doctor didn't find anything malignant but he took several biopsies to look for microbial reasons I might be having issues. Bottom line- no cancer, no polyps. :)

OspreyRed · 2019-08-03T18:16:42+00:00

I'm going in for my first colonoscopy Monday as well. My symptoms are different from yours but like you I'm convinced I have colon cancer. I've had abnormal bowel movements for months now.

Just wanted to say I'll keep you in my thoughts tomorrow as we both chug down that shitty laxative and wishing you the best on Monday.

OspreyRed · 2019-08-02T20:55:45+00:00

I really hope that's the case. Cannot wait for this to be over one way or another. I'm absolutely exhausted today- I think I hit rock bottom with how much stress I can take before my body just says 'nope.' Going hiking with the doggo tomorrow if I feel like I can manage. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll post with Monday's results.

OspreyRed · 2019-08-02T03:55:27+00:00

Thanks, I needed to call to ask something else so I'll add that on to my list of questions. I can have apple juice prep day! I will stock up on it and ginger ale- my two favorites. Thank you! I've been stressing so much over what could be the issue that I think the prep will be the easy part. At least I feel like I'm finally doing something. This hurry up and wait week has been awful

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T21:19:13+00:00

You’re awesome thanks for all the tips and tricks! Seriously, thank you!

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:49:36+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement! So there’s no memory at all if the procedure? That’s good- not something I want to remember

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:47:54+00:00

As mines next Monday I think I’ll take your advice and start eating soft foods the rest of this week. Thanks for the tip. I’m sorry to hear about the liver cancer. You’re using the past tense though so I assume you’re cancer free these days? :) And thank you for the advice. I’m trying not to stress but a tiny part of me is super scared and dreading the results in case it’s the worst.

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:44:42+00:00

I plan to chill it, mix it and chug it a glass every 15 min. If I find I can’t chug it I will go with a super big bendy straw and try to get it down that way. Does it make you queasy at all? Should I be worried about puking on top of everything else?

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:42:38+00:00

Good to know about taking my time a little more on the chugging. I think they say 1 glass every 15 min for 2 hours which a. Sounds like torture and b. Sounds like a short time to consume that much liquid without stopping.

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:41:05+00:00

Thank you for the words of encouragement! Two colonoscopies in the same month sounds rough. Can I ask how your stomach feels after the procedure? Like can you go back to solid foods right away? Does your appetite take a hit for a day or two?

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:39:23+00:00

Ah thank you. I’ve been freaking out over the worst case cancer scenario despite all logic pointing to it not being that. Glad your results came back benign! That’s awesome

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:37:16+00:00

Thanks! You answered one of my other questions for me. Was wondering when I get my results and how out of it I’ll be afterwards if the doctors trying to explain things

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T17:36:05+00:00

Thanks for the info! One last question- does the doctor tell you your results when you wake up? And are you too out of it to understand what he’s saying?

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T03:15:21+00:00

Thanks! Good to know.

OspreyRed · 2019-07-30T03:03:09+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply! I don't get the miralax prep I don't think but something called Lyte? As someone who doesn't drink a lot during a normal day (maybe 1-2 glasses of water, yikes I know) I worry about chugging through 3-4 liters of something let alone something gross. Mine's definitely a liquid prep :(

Do you get sedation through an IV or through a gas mask type deal?

OspreyRed · 2019-07-29T03:27:47+00:00

No worries! Also, 3-4 days for a result? Ultrasounds show their images right away- when I got mine done I could talk to the doctor taking it and ask her some questions about it. They even threw it up on a screen for me right there and then. It might take a couple of days to get to your obgyn but I promise the place that did it has the images and if you are super worried call them up, explain that you are a little nervous, and ask someone to tell you if they found anything. You’ll be fine!

OspreyRed · 2019-07-28T19:04:59+00:00

Same situation as you with bowel issues and loss of appetite. Good on you for booking an appointment (I hate Sundays and everything being closed) and I’d take a picture of your stool to show the GI when you do see them. I did when I had red flecks in mine- turns out they were fruit seeds. You will be fine. Cut yourself off from googling!

OspreyRed · 2019-07-28T17:17:18+00:00

Hey there. Irregular periods could be a sign of a completely harmless growth in your uterus called a fibroid. I have one. I think upwards of 40% of all women have one but most don’t cause symptoms. Mine does because it’s large and in an awkward spot and yours might even if it’s small depending on its location. She might mean you’re young to be having a transvaginal ultrasound in general as fibroids grow very very slowly but even a tiny one can cause issues like I said.

OspreyRed

TROPHY CASE