Symptoms?

terryscarlett
terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Can anyone tell me the symptoms of colon cancer? I am having diarhea pretty regularly for couple of months now. Seems to be worse with certain foods such as pasta, pizza, white flour foods? Need to go to doctor I guess, but don't have time as my husband is fighting throat cancer right now and I am taking care of him. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Terry

Comments

  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #2
    CR cancer doesn't have any
    CR cancer doesn't have any very distinct symptoms, unfortunately. But, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS00035/DSECTION=symptoms here is a little list:

    A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks

    Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

    Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain

    A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely

    Weakness or fatigue

    Unexplained weight loss

    --Greg
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #3
    Terry -


    For most, there are no symptoms, that's why they call it "the silent killer".

    My surgeons said that my colon tumor probably took 7 or 8 years
    to grow as large as it was. I had no symptoms, all tests had always
    been near perfect, and I never had a colonoscopy, since it was
    never suggested or indicated.

    The symptoms when the tumor is finally large enough, is blood in
    the fecal matter, alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramps,
    bloating... I had thought I had IBS, and had taken over-the-counter
    remedies for that. I didn't consider it very important... it's easy to
    confuse IBS with colon cancer. Who knew?

    It sounds more like you might be gluten intolerant. The things that
    are causing distress certainly fit that category, ehh?

    You really oughta' take some time out, and get a check-up and
    a colonoscopy. You won't be much help to your partner, if things
    get worse for you due to your own neglect of your health, right?

    So it's even more important to stay as healthy as you can.

    Go do it! Make an appointment and get it done.

    My best to you both!

    John
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #4
    PGLGreg said:

    CR cancer doesn't have any
    CR cancer doesn't have any very distinct symptoms, unfortunately. But, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS00035/DSECTION=symptoms here is a little list:

    A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks

    Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

    Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain

    A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely

    Weakness or fatigue

    Unexplained weight loss

    --Greg

    Fits
    Seems to be the problems I am having, I guess I better get a appointment with a Doctor. What Doctor would I need to see and how do they exam for this?
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #5
    John23 said:

    Terry -


    For most, there are no symptoms, that's why they call it "the silent killer".

    My surgeons said that my colon tumor probably took 7 or 8 years
    to grow as large as it was. I had no symptoms, all tests had always
    been near perfect, and I never had a colonoscopy, since it was
    never suggested or indicated.

    The symptoms when the tumor is finally large enough, is blood in
    the fecal matter, alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramps,
    bloating... I had thought I had IBS, and had taken over-the-counter
    remedies for that. I didn't consider it very important... it's easy to
    confuse IBS with colon cancer. Who knew?

    It sounds more like you might be gluten intolerant. The things that
    are causing distress certainly fit that category, ehh?

    You really oughta' take some time out, and get a check-up and
    a colonoscopy. You won't be much help to your partner, if things
    get worse for you due to your own neglect of your health, right?

    So it's even more important to stay as healthy as you can.

    Go do it! Make an appointment and get it done.

    My best to you both!

    John

    Right
    I will call monday morn. Thanks John!
    Terry
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #6
    terryscarlett said:

    Right
    I will call monday morn. Thanks John!
    Terry

    Terry -


    Re:
    "What Doctor would I need to see and how do they exam for this?"

    A gastrointestinal specialist is the best, since that's all they do.

    Finding one shouldn't be too difficult; you can ask at any hospital
    help line for a reference.

    A GP will give you a regular examination, but they would have to
    order the colonoscopy, so going to a gastro doc will save you
    the added appointments, expense, and more importantly, the time.

    Both my wife and I have resigned to going to specialists that
    are in their own practice. It's faster to get in and out, and their
    expertise in their area of practice is far better than the general
    purpose physician.

    We don't do western medicine, and attempt to stay with
    Traditional Chinese Medicine for everything, but we do
    use western medicine for tests, etc. and for analysis of
    various symptoms. Using the best of each science can
    often work wonders!

    Get those tests !!

    Good luck; better health.

    John
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #7
    terryscarlett said:

    Fits
    Seems to be the problems I am having, I guess I better get a appointment with a Doctor. What Doctor would I need to see and how do they exam for this?

    The best test to detect
    The best test to detect colorectal cancer is a colonoscopy, and the kind of doctor who is best at doing this test is a gastroenterologist. (I'm not saying you need to get a colonoscopy, or saying you don't --- I don't know about that.)

    --Greg
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #8
    Symptoms
    My colon cancer symptom was a pain in my right side this year. I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, so I've had the cancer a few years. No bleeding, nothing you would expect.
    Please get thee a colonoscopy ASAP, if you don't take care of yourself, who will take care of your husband?
    Please do get checked out immediately, hopefully it will be just stress, and your mind can be put to rest. But please, see the doc.
    Winter Marie
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #9
    Your symptoms
    Your symptoms really sound like a food allergy issue, but could be something else. Go see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor).

    Changes in bowel habits can be an indicator of colon cancer, but they can also mean many other things.

    Blood in stool
    Mucous in stool
    Change in stool (especially changing to thin pencil-type stool)
    Bloating that doesn't go away
    Pain in the abdomen (especially when your bowels are moving)
    Unexplained weight loss (or gain from bloating)

    You won't be much help to your husband if you don't keep yourself healthy too! Take the time to get yourself healthy.
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #10
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    Your symptoms
    Your symptoms really sound like a food allergy issue, but could be something else. Go see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor).

    Changes in bowel habits can be an indicator of colon cancer, but they can also mean many other things.

    Blood in stool
    Mucous in stool
    Change in stool (especially changing to thin pencil-type stool)
    Bloating that doesn't go away
    Pain in the abdomen (especially when your bowels are moving)
    Unexplained weight loss (or gain from bloating)

    You won't be much help to your husband if you don't keep yourself healthy too! Take the time to get yourself healthy.

    symptoms
    I had a colonoscopy in Jan this year They removed 2 polops and were benign. I have every since though had bowel problems I have a hydle hernia also and take prilosic for that.
    My bm's are like a pecil most times and loose with a bloated stomach. I don't eat a lt so it is a mystery to me why my stomach stays so pooched out. It seems to be worse when I flour foods like pizza, pastas, breads, ect. I need to go back to my doctor but I don't think my insurance will pay for another colonoscopy this soon it has only been 7-8 months. What else can they do to see whats going on? Hope for some response soon.
    Thanks all
    Terry
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    terryscarlett said:

    symptoms
    I had a colonoscopy in Jan this year They removed 2 polops and were benign. I have every since though had bowel problems I have a hydle hernia also and take prilosic for that.
    My bm's are like a pecil most times and loose with a bloated stomach. I don't eat a lt so it is a mystery to me why my stomach stays so pooched out. It seems to be worse when I flour foods like pizza, pastas, breads, ect. I need to go back to my doctor but I don't think my insurance will pay for another colonoscopy this soon it has only been 7-8 months. What else can they do to see whats going on? Hope for some response soon.
    Thanks all
    Terry

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #12
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    9 plus years
    That is wonderful that you have beaten the worst disease I know of (good for you).
    That is a great idea on the food diary and I will start that today. I can't thank everyone enough for the quick responce. I will post when I know more.
    Terry
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #13
    terryscarlett said:

    9 plus years
    That is wonderful that you have beaten the worst disease I know of (good for you).
    That is a great idea on the food diary and I will start that today. I can't thank everyone enough for the quick responce. I will post when I know more.
    Terry

    pain on my left leg , and testicle !
    No bleeding , no gastro problems !
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #14
    pepebcn said:

    pain on my left leg , and testicle !
    No bleeding , no gastro problems !

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #15
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Pain in hip
    I have been having pain in my right hip also along with the bowel problems. Do you think? Could It be Cancer? I would never have dreamed pain in hip could be colon! This has been going on for about a year now.
    Terry
  • vhtqm1
    vhtqm1 Member Posts: 107
    #16
    terryscarlett said:

    Pain in hip
    I have been having pain in my right hip also along with the bowel problems. Do you think? Could It be Cancer? I would never have dreamed pain in hip could be colon! This has been going on for about a year now.
    Terry

    one thing that really turned out and there were a couple of other symptoms you wrote which are concercerning. it read to me you BMs only the size of a pencil, feeling bloated and your not sure why if your not eating so much does your stomach always feel full and also pain near the hip area? i would go to Emergency Department tell them how uncomfortable you are and see if you can get a CT and PET scan. this can check for things like blockages and or tumors/nodules etc...if you can see your Primary Dr. will he/she pay close attention to your symptoms and get you refered to the correct professionals and or get you off and doing at least additional testing like the scans i mentioned? if so then thats another option to pursue and keeping your primary in the loop.

    ed
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #17
    vhtqm1 said:

    one thing that really turned out and there were a couple of other symptoms you wrote which are concercerning. it read to me you BMs only the size of a pencil, feeling bloated and your not sure why if your not eating so much does your stomach always feel full and also pain near the hip area? i would go to Emergency Department tell them how uncomfortable you are and see if you can get a CT and PET scan. this can check for things like blockages and or tumors/nodules etc...if you can see your Primary Dr. will he/she pay close attention to your symptoms and get you refered to the correct professionals and or get you off and doing at least additional testing like the scans i mentioned? if so then thats another option to pursue and keeping your primary in the loop.

    ed

    Thanks All
    Thanks Ed I will make appointment today
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #18
    Symptoms
    I don't want to scare you, but the pencil shaped stool concerns me, as well. I was symptomatic for several years before i was diagnosed, so i know very well how the symptoms progress. I had all the symptoms of IBS until the thinning of the stool, and difficulty passing stool symptoms began. When that started, i just new it was cancer. I hope very much that this isn't the case for you, but we will be here for you if it is. Please keep us informed, even if it's just to tell us good news!

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #19
    kristasplace said:

    Symptoms
    I don't want to scare you, but the pencil shaped stool concerns me, as well. I was symptomatic for several years before i was diagnosed, so i know very well how the symptoms progress. I had all the symptoms of IBS until the thinning of the stool, and difficulty passing stool symptoms began. When that started, i just new it was cancer. I hope very much that this isn't the case for you, but we will be here for you if it is. Please keep us informed, even if it's just to tell us good news!

    Hugs,
    Krista

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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