Upcoming flexible sigmoidoscopy

Hey hey.
I don't visit here very often, though there are times I do as I feel it helps me rationalise, or get comfort. I'm a 36 year old woman with diagnosed mild UC, IBS. However, this latest stint of symptoms have made me a bit anxious, as I was corresponding with my IBD nurses, and because I was having weird red particle smears that looked like blood in some instances I got worried, however after we ran the tests the results for fecal calprotectin and blood results came back normal. So they asked if I wanted to go for another flexible sigmoidoscopy to investigate things, and now I'm more anxious seeing as I don't know what to expect. Does anyone know whether stools can have weird reddy brown particles and it not be blood? I don't even know what to expect anymore tbh.. it's not like obvious blood that's free flowing or anything, there's just bits that look odd that will smear if I move the tissue. I considered whether it could be food but because it's not solid pieces I really don't think it is...

The last time I had a sigmoidoscopy was for UC diagnosis (in 2017 I think) so it's been a while since then, and I had one prior to that a long time before maybe in 2012 in which they didn't take any biopsies at that point so I ended up initially with just an IBS diagnosis.

Obviously with the fecal calprotectin being normal, I'm worried about what the potential blood could be. I also am a little nervous about having the thing done again haha. I've had it done twice now so I don't know why but I think part of me is more concerned about going because of the coronavirus???

I've also been having some upper gastric pain on and off for years now just under my right breast where my ribs are, sometimes I feel it worse in the side, sometimes in the front. Weirdly, I'm on yearly observation for gallbladder polyps but last year they didn't show up on the ultrasound... but I have no idea how that could have happened. I'm actually worried it's more likely to be pancreatitis or something, as I've had these symptoms on and off, as well as nausea/vomiting occasionally, feeling gassy etc. But I don't even know if that shows on an ultrasound...

I guess I'm just really wanting to vent my worries haha, I don't really have anyone to properly relay my concerns to, and my mum lives quite a distance from me and I hate worrying her as well.

Maybe someone will have some words of reassurance. My flexible sigmoidoscopy is next Tuesday, and I'm not looking forward to it haha. :unsure:

Good luck, try not to google, I have done the crime.


I had one done in 2012 or 2013 as I was worried about my abdominal pains as I thought I had bowel cancer. I did not believe my GP said I had IBS.

I did not lie the experience of the sigmoidoscopy and should have been sedated instead of gas and air. at first I did not look at the screen, but it was quite interesting look at the screen, even though I had no idea what I was looking at. the team I had were very good and helped calmed me down, as I was tapping out a lot, like I was in submission wrestling match.

The only thing from the scans and the sigmoidoscopy found was a non cancerous common pouch, the specialist I had drew a picture for me and my Dad (my Mum was working) the problem. I may have this problem since birth.

Just an update as I had my flexible sigmoidoscopy today! It went okay, as far as they could see it looked normal. I don't think they took any biopsies. I didn't get sedation as I didn't want to worry about getting home (I had to take public transport) so I just opted for occasional gas & air, which I managed without mostly.

I guess my main concern now is just that my butt is a little uncomfortable still haha, but I guess that might be from all the poking and prodding. I still do get black flecks and red smeared sort of particle things in my stool but I guess it could just be food, idk.

Either way hopefully I won't have to have another for a little while now!!