I'm sure this is insensitive but...

[Target2]

I've only drank one time in my entire life. I have a horrible diet and I'm overweight that's where the diagnosis came from I'm sure. Also I've been trying to increase my fiber intake as I'm sure I don't get enough of it. Maybe that was a bad idea.

[mypinkheaven]

Adding a bunch of fiber when your colon isn't used to it is going to cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. You need to add fiber gradually.

Did the doctor who thought you had internal hemorrhoids suggest suppositories? If it were me, I would eat a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) for a few days along with using suppositories.

Occam's Razor is a line of reasoning that says the simplest answer is often correct. The simplest answer is internal hemorrhoids. You're being smart and advocating for yourself by getting the colonoscopy. I truly understand the fear and worrying, but I also know that it's a waste of time.

[BeansMama]

I know easier said than done, but slow deep breaths. Step away from Dr. Google - while many times it is useful, in situations like this good old Dr. G just makes things worse.

Getting a colonoscopy done is a good thing, you are being proactive. Stressing about it will make things worse.

You are young, you have your whole life ahead of you. Once you get past this concentrate on staying healthy. Regular screenings and checkups will help you feel better about your health.

And please, get insurance as soon as you can! It doesn't matter if you think you won't need it, you never know what can happen. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[Target2]

I gotta stop reading this board. Just reading about people that had blood on toilet paper for years like me is getting me more worried. Honestly it's not the blood that scares me it's the blood plus the other symptoms like stomach aches, diarrhea, and narrow stool. The only thing that keeps me hopeful that its internal hemorrhoids plus something less serious is that the blood is worse when using rough toilet paper like in a public bathroom.

Anyway maybe it's better to just assume it's cancer then if it is the news won't be so disappointing. Well I'll stop whining now doesn't feel right to do this on this board. Sorry.

[midlifemom]

There are even more people that had bloody stools which turned out NOT to be cancer than those who did have cancer. But they don't post here because they don't have cancer.
Please, go find a friend to hang out with, a movie to watch or a book to read.

[mike1965]

Get the test done and you will know. Stop trying to figure it out on Google. Pray you do not have cancer. Cancer sucks. Until you find out no sense of saying I think I have it. Just get the test done. I do not mean to be rude but I am in the middle of chemo and cancer sucks. You do not know if you have cancer. Right now for you it is all guessing . People on this board know they have cancer. So I wish you the best on your test and I hope you do not have cancer. If you do this board is a great place for support and information.

[Steve Marethyu]

At 24, you might be able to be covered by your parents policy. I don't know the specifics, but I know it was mentioned that there was an extension to 25 or 26. However, you might have needed to maintain coverage. It's at least worth checking. Also, you can get insurance if you have a major life event. It would be at least worth checking to see if you qualify to get covered. If you have cancer, you will want to have insurance. I don't know if they'll cover you immediately, but the sooner you have coverage the better. Cancer is expensive with insurance, so not having it is a real risk.

I actually lowered the level of my insurance at work two years before my surgery. I figured there was no reason to pay an extra $30 a month, since I was young and relatively healthy (not weight-wise, but I didn't get sick often.) Turns out that the decision cost me an extra $2,400 in out of pocket expenses, to save $360 a year.

All that said, get the colonoscopy. You also don't need to assume it's cancer, but it's best not to let it wait. I ignored rectal bleeding for about 6 months (maybe longer, I don't remember.) If you have cancer, catching it now is best. If you don't, you'll have the piece of mind to know that it isn't.

Re: timing of the colonoscopy. I would go more on the quality of the doctor, than on who will do it soonest. I chose the first doctor who would take me on short notice, and it eventually caused serious problems when he misdiagnosed the location of the tumor.

[Target2]

I've ignored rectal bleeding for 5 years....

[Target2]

More blood again today. I really don't think it's hemorrhoids. The blood is mixed into the feces not just like on top of it or something. It's like chunks of red.

Why'd I ignore the blood on the toilet paper for so long? I feel like I need to get this colonoscopy done asap

[LeonW]

I feel like I need to get this colonoscopy done asap

Well I scheduled the colonoscopy . . . for July 19th

Two more weeks and you'll have a reliable answer, until then there is no reason for panic.
As said by others, your problems could be caused by many things.

Should I call around to try and get one sooner?

waiting another fortnight will not make a big difference. In the meantime, focus on positive things and stay away from Dr Google . . . . Enjoy life

I sincerely hope that you'll have no reason to be around here once you have the scope results
Best wishes, L

[mymom]

My husband had tons of blood in toilet and diahrea and it was very serious internal hemroids and a very large NON cancerous Colon polyp that they removed.

[Steve Marethyu]

I feel like I need to get this colonoscopy done asap

If you trust the doctor doing the scope, that's more important that doing it two weeks sooner. I can understand why you're feeling so nervous, though. You'll know the answer soon.

[Nik Colon]

I feel like I need to get this colonoscopy done asap

If you trust the doctor doing the scope, that's more important that doing it two weeks sooner. I can understand why you're feeling so nervous, though. You'll know the answer soon.

Very true. I got my last one at a new place, they got me in earlier, my reply was "as long as they kniw what they are doing"! Otherwise I would have waited.

[WriterGirl1969]

More blood again today. I really don't think it's hemorrhoids. The blood is mixed into the feces not just like on top of it or something. It's like chunks of red. Why'd I ignore the blood on the toilet paper for so long? I feel like I need to get this colonoscopy done asap

Hi Target. So sorry that you have to be going through this. If it makes you feel any better, 24 is VERY young for CRC. Not that it's impossible, but it's just very young. If you've been seeing blood for 5 years, that would mean it started at 19, which is even MORE unusual for cancer. Blood on the toilet paper can indicate lots of things. Blood mixed in with your stool can be very scary, but it can still be lots of things.

I totally agree with your decision to pay out of pocket if necessary to get the colonoscopy. Think of it this way. Being so young, you are spending this money to potentially save your life. Even if there is a polyp, this type of cancer generally moves very slowly. Even those of us who had doctors that were fairly confident that we had cancer sometimes delayed procedures by a month or two. So don't stress too much about your time frame. You're doing the right thing, and it's never to late to do that.Try not to kick yourself for decisions made up until now. Nothing you can do to go back and change them. Just accept that you are doing it now, and hopefully you'll have some answers soon.

Second best thing you did was coming here. No matter your outcome, we are here for you.

--Tracy

[Target2]

Well tomorrow is the big day. Starting the prep right now. Not looking forward to spending the whole day on the toilet.

Had some pretty narrow stool today with quite a bit of blood on the toilet paper so I'm pretty nervous.... Biggest thing I'm nervous about is if it is cancer how I'm going to pay for anything after this colonoscopy. I'm going to have almost no money after paying for this.