Awaiting stool sample test results and I am very scared if they find something wrong

Thanks for reaching out and sharing. IBS and anxiety often go hand in hand. As you wait on your test results and wait to speak with your doctor about your questions, perhaps focusing on reducing your stress and anxiety would be helpful. This article may be helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/stress as well as this one: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/mind-body-impact-ibs.

I'd encourage you to try your best to put your mind at ease in regards to colon cancer risk until you have spoken with your doctor. Wishing you some anxiety relief. Keep us updated, if you'd like. Best, Kelly, irritablebowelsyndrome.net Team Member

Sam1991.. I suffer from C and I used to suffer from medical anxiety that revolved around my IBS. I had an amazing therapist and I've learned a lot of things in therapy that has given me15 years of freedom from medical anxiety. First and foremost perspective. You'll have the results soon enough but, here is some perspective on what you have written? You are having a stool sample test. First off, don't always believe that the worst is going to happen. It doesn't always happen that way. For some perspective, only 6% of the population, which is a large number but still only 6% will be diagnosed with colon cancer. From my limited knowledge and I am not a medical professional, I'm guessing he's taking a stool sample to rule out some sort of bacterial infection that's causing your problem. When faced with a patient who they believe might have something other than just IBS most gastroenterologists would prescribe the gold standard test which of course is the colonoscopy. Consequently my guess is is that he's not looking for cancer. The more I think about it the more I'm pretty darn sure I'm correct. There's a test on the market that many people use to diagnose colon cancer. I think it's called cologuard. I also think it's a horrible test and it allows people to dodge their colonoscopy and it's inaccurate a large percentage of the time. It also can't pick up polyps. They always read that disclaimer about it when they advertise it on television. It is a stool test that can be taken at home and sent into a lab. Your doctor is not taking a stool test because he suspects you have colon cancer. He wouldn't get an accurate reading. The colonoscopy would be way more accurate.. Now that's just my perspective after stepping back, and reading what you wrote. My advice to you would be to stay the hell off Google, and try and relax. If you meditate this would be a good time to do it, or if you find television a distraction, Stranger Things premiered season 4 last Friday 😉 I learned an expression many years ago from a wonderful therapist. Stop, think, perspective. Whenever you find yourself kind of spiraling with these thoughts of Doom and gloom, just take a step back and assess the situation from position of logic. It really worked for me and it actually enables me to write something like this to you with a strong amount of confidence. The pain you feel on your left side is pretty common with people that have IBS c and d. That's your left descending colon that leads to your rectum and then the back door. People who have what we have can irritate that area by either going to much, or not going enough and trying to hard. There are certainly many other symptoms that would indicate a major problem. You didn't write that you had any of them. Take a deep breath, relax and let us know how your testing comes out. Try and focus on positive. Steve

Ps.. signed in with the wrong email address. This is sjm55, Steve.

I was rather scared too when waiting for results of my stool tests.
They all turned out fine. No red flags.
However, that was almost no help to me because my anxiety was so bad it brought on a horrible flare up and nothing was a comfort to me right then. I remember.
It baffled me why I could be so unwell, but neither blood tests nor 3 stool tests were showing me or the doctor that anything was wrong!

I think what Steve said (above) is very true though. If your doctor had suspected colon cancer, he would have taken a quick direct route, and ordered a colonoscopy. He wouldn't mess about with a thing like that.

My tests were all 100% fine. But I still also get those pains like trapped wind, and an aching discomfort low down on the left. My tummy bloats up, and it affects my anxiety levels. I get IBS-D mostly, but occasionally constipation. (i.e. normal bm's but just go a little bit instead of emptying properly.)
The anxiety itself can trigger off my belly being upset, and vice-versa.
Small changes which cause almost unnoticeable stresses can set off my gut to behave badly. Even something as simple as a weather change.
There was a thunderstorm tonight, and that unbalanced my gut. I like thunderstorms, but my body has become too hypersensitive on a gut level.

The slightest bit of worry about something can also unbalance my gut. Then that makes any anxiety worse.
Good luck for your test results, At least it will help to show if there might be some inflammation going on, or perhaps bile acid malabsorption or something, in which case some medication will help.
If all is negative then I guess you will be given a low Fodmap diet sheet. If so, a Dietician will be a good guide to have if you can get one. Let us know how you are. Wish you all the best.