rectal bleeding

[Unravelry]

Oh man.....this HA stuff is no fun AT all.

I had rectal bleeding 3 years ago and saw the doc, who shrugged and said that at my age (then 37) cancer was unlikely. He did an exam and said I had really bad internal hemmorrhoids.Makes sense, you know, bunch of kids and all....

So this week I was abit constipated and I had 2 bowel movements that HURT! Sure enough...some rectal bleeding after.

Of course now I am certain I am dying of colon cancer. Even though I know it is unlikely. Even though I KNOW I have bad hemmies. Because it *could* be. Of course I could go get a colonoscopy, but that will only put my mind at ease for about a week and then I will be worried about a new cancer.


Smack me?

[Jamie48]

bleeding- alot of blood or just a tiny bit ??

[Unravelry]

Not a lot, but enough to scare me of course.

[forestbythesealady]

I have had this problem for more than ten years (the bleeding). About five years ago I had a colonoscopy and everything was fine. If I have painful bowel movements or my irritable bowel syndrome is acting up, it happens. I know it can be scary, but it sounds pretty normal, especially if you have internal hemorrhoids, AND you had a painful bowel movement.

And, YES, I agree, this HA stuff is NO fun at all.

[sixpack]

I have hemmies too.  I think it's caused by that.

Yes, you could go to the doc and have him take a look.  He'll likely say hemmies.  If you really want tobe ultra cautious, you could get a colonoscopy.  I think though if the doc says hemmies, then you should relax about it.

[marc]

Sounds like it could be Hemmoroids. All persistent rectal bleeding
should be investigated. When I had rectal bleeding, I went to a
colon rectal surgeon who told me that typically if there is blood
in the toilet or in your stool, there is more need for concern then
when you wipe. It sounds like that yours is more likely due to
straining during a bowel movement. Colon and rectal cancer are
pretty rare in people under 50, unless you have a strong family
history or have other issues such as colitis, crohns, etc.

[Charlie1234]

Delivering a 9 pound 3 ounce baby left me with a couple of hemmies as well. If my poop is hard, I may get a little blood on the tp and a drip or two in the toilet. I just asked my obgyn about this last month and she said it was the hemmies, gave me a couple of scripts for it and said that it was part of the beauty of motherhood. Don't stress, it's a common thing for us mommies.

[secpro]

I am not a doctor; however, I had the same issue several weeks ago. I was taking Nexium for acid reflux. I had the worst side effects (all caused by the Nexium), which included frequent BMs and ab cramping. The frequent trips to the bathroom caused two very small hemms which caused bleeding. Of course like yourself, I began to constantly worry about colon cancer. I had my primary care physician refer me to a GI. The GI assured me that (like yourself) I was too young and at low risk for colon cancer. Scheduled an endoscopy and colonoscopy- both tests revealed NO CANCER. The GI did confirm two small hemms and acid reflux (non-erosive) that can be controlled by diet and over the counter meds. He took me off the Nexium (which does cause severe side effects in some patients) and told me to come back in 10 years.

If you are seeing bright red blood in your stool, and blood on the TP- hemms, not cancer.

[Unravelry]

You all are wonderful. 

[Bomp]

Here's a common scenario: You're constipated for whatever reason. This causes gas buildups and whatnot and your belly hurts. Finally the dookie decides to come out, all rock hard and huge. If at this point you have a hemmy (which super common), it is very possible that it is ripped up by this massive chunnk – and you bleed. It's on the toliet paper more likely than in the bowl.

(This blood is bright red and fresh. If you have colon cancer the blood is baked into the feces and usually blackish.)

[TriciaC]

This has happened to me on occasion, and recently happened to my 7-year-old.  I've also spoken to several friends about it (when I was worried about why it happened to me) and it seems like it's happend to everyone I know!  The most common causes are either 1) hemmoroids or 2) small tears from passing large stools.

No worries!

[thatsme36]

As a nurse, when we see bright red bleeding it is almost always written off, in fact when we report it to the doctor nothing is said.  I had a colonoscopy, and just to let you know, colonoscopy can help you feel better for at least 10 years, why? because colon cancer (which you do not have) is a slow growing cancer, which means, even when you are older,  a colonoscopy would be done only every 10 years cause thats how long it would take to grow.  You definately with the straining and all have hemmoroids, so don't be concerned.  If you came to my ER, we would not be concerned.  I am not suggesting or even thinking at all you need a colonoscopy...I just wanted to point that out from someone who knows what it is like to only trust tests for a week.  I do believe that if you are concerned and it does continue...to go to the doctor just to make yourself feel better.  I have had a lot of babies too, it can cause some problems, all mine were big babies too...9lbs 4oz, 9 lbs 6 oz and so on.  Good luck to you.

[Unravelry]

As a nurse, when we see bright red bleeding it is almost always written off, in fact when we report it to the doctor nothing is said.  I had a colonoscopy, and just to let you know, colonoscopy can help you feel better for at least 10 years, why? because colon cancer (which you do not have) is a slow growing cancer, which means, even when you are older,  a colonoscopy would be done only every 10 years cause thats how long it would take to grow.  You definately with the straining and all have hemmoroids, so don't be concerned.  If you came to my ER, we would not be concerned.  I am not suggesting or even thinking at all you need a colonoscopy...I just wanted to point that out from someone who knows what it is like to only trust tests for a week.  I do believe that if you are concerned and it does continue...to go to the doctor just to make yourself feel better.  I have had a lot of babies too, it can cause some problems, all mine were big babies too...9lbs 4oz, 9 lbs 6 oz and so on.  Good luck to you.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your input! If it does continue I will schedule an appointment. My rational side and my HA side struggle often:)

[marc]

I was thinking about what was said about rectal bleeding and would like to
talk about some true stories. I have had 5 people I know all die of colorectal
cancer. There were 4 men and one woman. They all had one thing in common;
they all had bright red rectal bleeding that was ongoing. The first was my former
employer many years ago; he was 35. He smoked 2-3 packs of cigs a day, and
had rectal bleeding for sometime before going to the doctor. The second case was
another formal employer who was 36. He also ignored persistent rectal bleeding.
The third case was a man who passed away at 32 from this cancer. He was very
athletic, ate right, very thin, etc. He had rectal bleeding for some time and went
to see a physicians assistant who said it was Hemmoroids without checking. A year
went by and he started losing weight. He was finally seen by a doctor and i won't say the
rest of the story. He was the son of my employer at the time. The fourth case was
a good friend of mines mother; she was 73. She had persistent rectal bleeding and
did not go to the doctor. I won't say the rest of the story. The final case was another
client of mine who was 62. He never had a colonoscopy. In other words, as my
colorectal surgeon and my GI physician have said, all persistent rectal bleeding
should be investigated. It should not be attributed to hemmoroids until it is
fully investigated. Two of these people were my friends and I really wish they
would have been more diligent with their health. This type of cancer is one of the
few that can be prevented, so we should all make every effort to be properly
screened and take charge of your health. It is important to know your body and
take care of it the best that you can.

Marc