Have to have a colonoscopy

[zmichelle557 11]

So.... haven't been on in what seems like forever. HA has been somewhat tame. 

So backstory is I've had IBS D for a long time. At least 17 of my 31 years. So a little over a month ago I noticed my stools were wide and flat. Kept and eye on it and noticed I still have my IBS flairs and occasionally I have a normal poo. But in between time they are flat. Thickness can be as thick as a normal bm to as thin as 1/3 of an inch. I upped my fiber and noticed they were more normal but I wasn't taking much, I added two fiber pills and ate a banana a day and I have had one normal stool a day since Friday and then back to flat. Anyway, I talked to my doctor today and he said I have to have a colonoscopy since its a change in bowel habits. To be honest I know I've had flat poop before it just went away within a week or two. I'm scared they will find something horrific and I keep crying thinking I've got months to live. I have a huge fear of cancer. Also want to note, no blood, not weight loss, no vomiting, not genetic or family history beside my grandpa who got it in his late 70s. I'm tired of fighting HA I've let so many things go and just moved on in the past year but after today it just stirred up so many repressed feelings. I'm handling it better than I used to. But it's definitely scary and I don't know anyone else who has flat poop. I also have had IBS so long I don't even know what normal for me looks like. 

[Holls 1505]

1 hour ago, zmichelle557 said:

So.... haven't been on in what seems like forever. HA has been somewhat tame. 

So backstory is I've had IBS D for a long time. At least 17 of my 31 years. So a little over a month ago I noticed my stools were wide and flat. Kept and eye on it and noticed I still have my IBS flairs and occasionally I have a normal poo. But in between time they are flat. Thickness can be as thick as a normal bm to as thin as 1/3 of an inch. I upped my fiber and noticed they were more normal but I wasn't taking much, I added two fiber pills and ate a banana a day and I have had one normal stool a day since Friday and then back to flat. Anyway, I talked to my doctor today and he said I have to have a colonoscopy since its a change in bowel habits. To be honest I know I've had flat poop before it just went away within a week or two. I'm scared they will find something horrific and I keep crying thinking I've got months to live. I have a huge fear of cancer. Also want to note, no blood, not weight loss, no vomiting, not genetic or family history beside my grandpa who got it in his late 70s. I'm tired of fighting HA I've let so many things go and just moved on in the past year but after today it just stirred up so many repressed feelings. I'm handling it better than I used to. But it's definitely scary and I don't know anyone else who has flat poop. I also have had IBS so long I don't even know what normal for me looks like. 

I never have consistent bowels.. same with color.. it's all over the place. I have flat ones as well. I've learned to only look once a week. I worked with two women who had colon cancer and they both had black stools and one had black stools and black blood clots. They are both fine and that was 5 years ago. You have to remember when we go to specialist like GI Drs that's the test they run.. it doesn't mean something is wrong. 

[zmichelle557 11]

Thanks for your response. You helped me through my ALS fear a year ago!! 

Anyway it's my PCP, I will meet the GI day of. But he looked at me and said I'm sorry I have to refer you for a colonoscopy. He's like I know how you feel about this but a change in habit needs to be evaluated.  He said hopefully this will give us answers for your IBS you've had all these years. 

The man is very fatherly  towards me and knows I freakout about any testing that needs to be done but damnit I did not want to hear I needed a test. I know flat, wide stools are common with IBS and I'm crossing my fingers this is all it is. But dang HA isn't helping.

[Holls 1505]

16 minutes ago, zmichelle557 said:

Thanks for your response. You helped me through my ALS fear a year ago!! 

Anyway it's my PCP, I will meet the GI day of. But he looked at me and said I'm sorry I have to refer you for a colonoscopy. He's like I know how you feel about this but a change in habit needs to be evaluated.  He said hopefully this will give us answers for your IBS you've had all these years. 

The man is very fatherly  towards me and knows I freakout about any testing that needs to be done but damnit I did not want to hear I needed a test. I know flat, wide stools are common with IBS and I'm crossing my fingers this is all it is. But dang HA isn't helping.

My sister In law has IBS and she gets colonoscopies a lot.  I really don't think the test is Bec they think something is wrong. I know how you feel about having to have a test.. I get like that too and once the test is over I'm always so glad I just did it because I know that if I choose not to do it, the anxiety what ifs completely take over then I have to wait to reschedule. ( Can you tell I've done that a time or two lol) you will be relieved when you do the test and your bowel movements won't make you worry anymore. Hugs your test is going to be clear.