Terrified and worried about colon or stomach cancer

[anxious_thoughts]

I’m scared something is seriously wrong with me. I just keep thinking about how much my stool has changed throughout the year.

My stool is almost always a yellow-brown colour. It never used to be. My BM habits have changed, I used to be able to go any time, any where, no problem with constipation ever. Now I can mainly only go in the morning, and it’s anxiety inducing if I’m unable to go one morning because it sometimes means I won’t be able to go at all that day. But I’m wondering if this is all because I cut out foods like tomatoes, onions, peppers, and garlic. Maybe they would help me poop better?

Then the whole GERD thing on top of it all. I can’t even eat like normal. I have indigestion and I’m burping a lot. I get the sore throat and having to clear my throat sensation whenever I eat something triggering.


These things scare me so much. I went to my doctor who didn’t seems concerned but she wants me to do ultrasounds and get blood work. I had my last ultrasounds and blood work in September 2024. I’m trying to work up the courage to book the appointments but I’m scared and thinking to book after Christmas. :(

[nomorepanic]

Go and see your GP

[NoraB]

I’m scared something is seriously wrong with me. I just keep thinking about how much my stool has changed throughout the year.

My stool is almost always a yellow-brown colour. It never used to be. My BM habits have changed, I used to be able to go any time, any where, no problem with constipation ever. Now I can mainly only go in the morning, and it’s anxiety inducing if I’m unable to go one morning because it sometimes means I won’t be able to go at all that day. But I’m wondering if this is all because I cut out foods like tomatoes, onions, peppers, and garlic. Maybe they would help me poop better?

Then the whole GERD thing on top of it all. I can’t even eat like normal. I have indigestion and I’m burping a lot. I get the sore throat and having to clear my throat sensation whenever I eat something triggering.


These things scare me so much. I went to my doctor who didn’t seems concerned but she wants me to do ultrasounds and get blood work. I had my last ultrasounds and blood work in September 2024. I’m trying to work up the courage to book the appointments but I’m scared and thinking to book after Christmas. :(

I also was once able to summon up a BM at will, but now my colon has a 30 minute window of performance (around 5.30 am) before the shutters go up...

I second Nicola - go and see your GP. You will only make matters worse by panicking until you do. (Stress increases acid etc)

I'm in the same situation as you with the GERD, but I'm waiting on my gastro app. Meanwhile, I'm trying to help myself by watching what (and when) I eat, working on my thoughts, and dealing with the symptoms..

I've found that chewing gum is helping to keep the acid down. I'm definitely burping less since I started with the gum. (Avoid mint flavours with GERD)

Holland and Barrett do some manuka honey lozenges. Maybe try those to see if they help with the throat symptoms?

Don't wait to book after Christmas, do it tomorrow. Often, just this single act can take some of the pressure away...

[anxious_thoughts]

Hi Nora and Nicola,

Surprisingly things have been a lot better GERD wise. I think a lot of it is anxiety induced or worsens with it. I’ve been practicing belly breathing and just not letting it consume my thoughts the last two days and I have to say it’s feeling A LOT better. I haven’t been eating the best either as we have had Christmas related get together the last two days.

I think I’m okay to wait until after Christmas for tests. I have realized the constipation has a lot to do with my pelvic floor. If I worry about it, I can’t go. If I don’t worry, I can have a regular BM.

Thank you for the recommendations Nora! I do suck on cough drops often and they help a lot. I lost a good amount of weight and it’s also helped. Just need to keep at it with lifestyle changes! Also, the groin pain has gone away completely after using a heating pad on it. So I’m thinking it could have been muscle related.

[NoraB]

Good to hear you're feeling better.

[ErinKC]

Then the whole GERD thing on top of it all. I can’t even eat like normal. I have indigestion and I’m burping a lot. I get the sore throat and having to clear my throat sensation whenever I eat something triggering.


These things scare me so much. I went to my doctor who didn’t seems concerned but she wants me to do ultrasounds and get blood work. I had my last ultrasounds and blood work in September 2024. I’m trying to work up the courage to book the appointments but I’m scared and thinking to book after Christmas. :(

I just want to say that I’m going through the exact same thing. I think I triggered my GERD with pain meds for a pulled muscle in my back last month but everyone happening to you is happening to me! Including my doctor saying to get an ultrasound to rule out gallbladder and me wanting to wait until after Christmas to schedule. In my rational mind this is what I know: my back pain started before everything else, the meds caused my GERD, now the GERD is trigger more pain in my back. With bowel movement changed, I am reminding myself that I’m eating way less and whenever I do that, like if I try to lose weight, I always stop pooping regularly. I’m also not drinking coffee, which is basically the only way I can reliably poop every day, ha. Has that changed for you? Also the last time I had a bad GERD flare my poop also got yellowish. I think for me it’s the Pepcid or the diet change or the extra acid.

So, we’re in the same boat! My doctor thinks it’s almost certainly just GERD and I’m trying to just believe her. I’ll probably schedule my ultrasound for like the 28th or something.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!