19 year old who needs a colonoscopy

[anxiouskid]

I've had digestive issues for years (blood in stool, constipation, gas, cramps, black stool, etc...) and never really done anything about it. That and when I did consult my doctor about it, they just shrugged it off and said it was ibs.
So I'm going to talk about it seriously with my doctor during my next physical. I want to request for a colonoscopy but I think it would be hard to do since I'm below the age minimum (40 and above).
Maybe you guys can give me some advice on what I should do? Please don't ask me why I didn't do something earlier, I'm already beating myself up about it.

[jhocno197]

Just demand one. It could be many things, but you need a colonoscopy to be certain.

[midlifemom]

And if the first doc says you don't need one, find another doc.

[jens22]

Go to a good Gi Doctor who may first do stool samples and Blood work. If no bacteria or C-diff ...next step would be colonoscopy

[Nik Colon]

Yes, go to GI, tell them all your issues and demand a colonoscopy if not mentioned. I was 39 when I did and dx stage 4. There are many younger than me. But any good GI will want to get to the bottom of it, especially if bleeding. Yes, it can be other things like hems, etc, but the only way to know for sure is a colonoscopy. In hindsight, I should have went in in my mid 20s when my issues started getting more noticeable, but I didn't even know about colon cancer until I was dx with it, sadly. I had all the symptoms but they looked at them all as separate issues or one causing the other, etc.

[anxiouskid]

Thanks for the replies! I feel a little better now (at the very least, determined to get to the bottom of this).

[Pathfindergrl28]

Yes, I would see a GI doctor and demand a colonoscopy. I had a precancerous type polyp at age 34, and will have to have more frequent screenings now. My husband's first wife, had stage IV colon cancer at age 20. She passed away at age 24 (she began to refuse treatments due to exhaustion is what my husband told me). In my opinion, there is no appropriate age to be screened for colon cancer. If you have symptoms get screened! Better safe than sorry. I hope everything turns out ok for you.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I agree see a GI and demand a colonoscopy. I had one and was diagnosed at 36. Good luck.*hugs*