Question about rectal bleeding and Sigmoid

[dancer67]

I was DX with internal/external hemorrhoids in December 2006. I had a sigmoidoscopy. So it has been almost 4 1/2 years. My sigmoid was perfect other then the hemorrhoids.(I had two vaginal births). I went because I was having stomach pains along with rectal bleeding. I was dx with IBS as well.

How long does it take for a polyp to grow in the lower colon, and how often should(or do you think I even need one) I get another sigmoid?

My last GI visit was in November, and I told the GO Doc I still had rectal bleeding every so often. Sometimes once a month, or once every few months. I alsoe told her I was anemic. I am 43. She said no worries, and I do not need anything done until I am 50.(A colonsocopy)

I still have the rectal bleeding. It happens randomly without warning. The past two time I believe it was becuase I went to the bathroom more then 2 or 2 times in one day from diarrhea.

Today, I only urinated, but was straining like I felt maybe I had to have a BM,(I had diarrhea today) but I didn't go and there was bright red blood in the toilet.

I didn't realize it until I pulled up my pants and turned around to flush the toilet. And I already pulled up my pants so I had two spots of bright red blood in my underwear as well.

It always scares the heck out of me.

I am just wondering if polyps could have grown and turned cancerous in 4 1/2 years???

[Id Smash]

Colon Cancer takes about 10 years to actually grow. If you had no Polyps when you had your Sigmoid then it's highly unlikely that you have Cancer.

I am on a Colon Cancer kick myself. I haven't had any blood but it does run in my family (not heavily, Aunt & Grandfather had it in their 50s) as well as Polyps.

Did your symptoms get worse after you gave birth? I've noticed mine have after giving birth to my daughter 2 years ago.

[Carryon]

Are you having a sigmoidoscopy or colonscopy? With colonoscopies, if they find nothing during the first one, they typically suggest another in ten years, unless you have a family history of colon cancer. If they find a polyp, they suggest a follow-up between three and five years.

[dancer67]

I only had a sigmoid. Which only looks at the lower colon. I was 39 at the time. And I never had rectal bleeding until my kids were born.
I am 43 now.

I am not having a sigmoid done. I  had one done in december of 2006. 4 1/2 years ago. They found nothing. Only internal/external hem.

So looks like colon ca is highly unlikely then?

No family HX of Colon Ca. except in Maternal Great Grandfather who died from it. But GI Dr. only counts first degree relatives as family history, unless there are many second degree relatives that have it.

Thank you so much

[29sillygirl]

No way to know about colon polyps, benign or not so benign, without a colonoscopy. 

Your doc gave you the AMA approved (guess that is the right word) age of 50 to begin having colonoscopies....
It is a guideline, not an edict.  If a gastro will do it and insurance will pay, why not?  Would bring you peace of mind.

As an anal cancer survivor, I have had every test known to man/woman, and, of course treatment or I wouldn't be responding to your post.

If you have internal and external hemorrhoids, they will bleed off and on.  You didnt mention if anything was done to shrink them.  Childbirth is often the cause in women.  Straining and certainly several loose stools can  irritate tender tissues.

I have no definitive answer on how fast polyps grow.  That is a question for your doctor.

Best to you.....keep posting if it helps to talk.

[jen2213]

I had a severe bout of bleeding hemmorhoids a couple weeks ago. It bled for four days and now I am back to normal again. I have been having this problem for 9 years, ever since I had my first daughter. I have never been checked for hemmorhoids but I know that has to be what it is.

One thing I use to help is Olive Oil...it reduces the swelling and most people have it in their house.

[Carryon]

No way to know about colon polyps, benign or not so benign, without a colonoscopy. 

Your doc gave you the AMA approved (guess that is the right word) age of 50 to begin having colonoscopies....
It is a guideline, not an edict.  If a gastro will do it and insurance will pay, why not?  Would bring you peace of mind.

As an anal cancer survivor, I have had every test known to man/woman, and, of course treatment or I wouldn't be responding to your post.

If you have internal and external hemorrhoids, they will bleed off and on.  You didnt mention if anything was done to shrink them.  Childbirth is often the cause in women.  Straining and certainly several loose stools can  irritate tender tissues.

I have no definitive answer on how fast polyps grow.  That is a question for your doctor.

Best to you.....keep posting if it helps to talk.

The grow slowly, the reason the interval between colonoscopies three to five years if they find any and longer if not, and why colonoscopies are so effective against colon cancer.

[dancer67]

Well I never had a colonoscopy and I really do not want one. I do not do well with tests, especially ones where you need to be put to sleep. Or even sedated.

That is why I was asking about the sigmoid. Lower colon. Since I had the bright red bleeding. Of course, I have had this for about 10 years or so. Maybe even longer.

But 4 1/2 years ago I had no polyps at all. So I was wondering what my chances were that this bleeding could have turned into ca from polyps.

 

[Carryon]

If there were suspicious polyps 4.5 years, the doctors would have removed them. There is little chance that the bleeding is from something then has developed into cancer since then. Your doctor should have told you that the sig. showed hemhroids that were causing the bleeding, I would think. They are easily removed.

[Id Smash]

Well I never had a colonoscopy and I really do not want one. I do not do well with tests, especially ones where you need to be put to sleep. Or even sedated.

That is why I was asking about the sigmoid. Lower colon. Since I had the bright red bleeding. Of course, I have had this for about 10 years or so. Maybe even longer.

But 4 1/2 years ago I had no polyps at all. So I was wondering what my chances were that this bleeding could have turned into ca from polyps.

Like I said, it takes about 10 years for Colon Cancer to grow from a Polyp. You didn't have Polyps 4 years ago, so it is very unlikely you have CC. You *may* have a polyp or two but it wouldn't be cancer this quickly.

[dancer67]

Thank you. I feel very relieved now.

And for the record, I have no intention of removing my hemorrhoids. OMG, I heard that is the most painful surgery ever. And they do not bother me at all. Only when the bleeding happens and it freaks me out. And I get a little sore from wiping. But NO removal.!!!! LOL....

Thanks everyone

[Id Smash]

Thank you. I feel very relieved now.

And for the record, I have no intention of removing my hemorrhoids. OMG, I heard that is the most painful surgery ever. And they do not bother me at all. Only when the bleeding happens and it freaks me out. And I get a little sore from wiping. But NO removal.!!!! LOL....

Thanks everyone

Do you feel like you have to poop all the time from your hemorrhoids? Like the urge is there constantly?

[dancer67]

Do you feel like you have to poop all the time from your hemorrhoids? Like the urge is there constantly?

No, not at all. Why?

[Id Smash]

Do you feel like you have to poop all the time from your hemorrhoids? Like the urge is there constantly?

No, not at all. Why?

Cause I do LOL. I was told it was internal hemorrhoids.

[dancer67]

Ohhh. Well actually, I can feel those internal hemorrhoids. And sorry if TMI, they can "pop out".

This is what the GI Dr. diagnosed me with when I had my sigmoid. Internal/external hemorrhoids. That was his reasoning for the bright red bleeding. He also felt them during a DRE, so he decided to do sigmoid to make sure.

It sucks, but better then the alternative. :0)

[marc]

According to my GI physician and a colon rectal surgeon I used to see before my
GI physican, all persistent rectal bleeding should be investigated by colonoscopy.
I had rectal bleeding at age 25, and the whole toilet was filled with blood and so
was the toilet paper. I had a flex sig and I had a large hem. When I was 43, I again
had very mild rectal bleedign and I had a colonoscopy, which was negative. I again
had hems. I would not be afraid of a colonoscopy. I have had 5 of them and I am
54. The worst thing is the prep. My last colonoscopy was in May 2009, and I took
pills to get my bowels moving. The sedation now is not bad and it is typically
performed at an outpatient center. It is the best sleep I haev ever had and
everyone is so nice and they all were very understanding that I was very nervous.
The anesthesiologist was very nice and when he found out I was a CPA, he asked me a
tax question and after I answered it, he said I was ready to go. When I was wheeled back
in the bed, I had a heart and BP monitor on. I woke up from the test with no ill affects and
I went home and took a nap. I am no fan of tests either and I was nervous (most people are
nervous I was told at the center) , but again there is nothing to fear, If I can do it, anyone
can.

[crazygirl1]

I agree with Marc, no fear for colonoscopy itself, I always am scared fo the results of course-aren't most of us? It is a wonderful relaxing feeling to wake up to, especially because you're gonna get results! Dancer-I had mine when I was 37 because of family history and I was having cramps at the time-so my gyn wanted to rule out anything in the colon. I had 3 or 4 ( cant remember omg) benign polyps removed & they said to come back in 3 yrs.
Last March is when I found the Zone-due to a lump I felt & I immediately googled and couldnt see a resemblance to hemmorhoids, so I was sure it was anal ca. I went to a colorectal surgeon ( becauase I dont trust regular mds, only specialists) and I had the hemmorhoid surgery-because he wouldnt just do a biopsy for me!! Yes it hurt but I survived, if we can survive childbirth we can survive most stuff:)
Anyway yeah they say it takes 10 yrs fro a polyp to turn into ca...you 're fine, adn good luck with those hemms--try HOT baths & witch hazel, helps:)

[dancer67]

Marc, I think I asked you about the persistent rectal bleeding before. And I believe you said if it happens every time, then it would be time to see your GI Dr. Right?

Mine happens maybe once a month?

And I am not interested in a colonoscopy. Not unless a Dr thinks I really need one. I guess if it takes 8-10 years for a polyp to grow, I and my sigmoid was clean 4 1/2 years ago, I would assume I am fine?

[Carryon]

With all due respect, you are "forum shopping", that is looking for the answer that you want. You don't want a colonoscopy unless your doctors orders it, which is reasonable; yet you want lay people here to tell you that polys can't develop into cancer in the time before you will have to get a colonoscopy. Why not ask that question of your doctor? You rather trust anonymous advice than your doctor? Doesn't make sense, especially if you have bleeding.

[Id Smash]

With all due respect, you are "forum shopping", that is looking for the answer that you want. You don't want a colonoscopy unless your doctors orders it, which is reasonable; yet you want lay people here to tell you that polys can't develop into cancer in the time before you will have to get a colonoscopy. Why not ask that question of your doctor? You rather trust anonymous advice than your doctor? Doesn't make sense, especially if you have bleeding.

As Hypochondriacs, I think we all tend to do this. We never except the advice from a Doctor but when a fellow Hypochondriac tells you their symptoms and diagnosis, it's more of a comfort. Most of us feel Doctors simply miss something or don't care enough to find out the true problem. That comes with the illness.

But rest assured Dancer, you do not have Colon Cancer. You were already told what is causing your bleeding; internal hemorrhoids. They do not go away without surgery so yes, you would still be bleeding 4 years later if they were to be inflamed. If the bleeding persists or gets worse I would definitely see your Doctor. But if it is the same as it's been all this time, I wouldn't worry a tiny bit.

[Carryon]

Then why believe the doctor that the cause is internal hemorrhoids? Why get the colonoscopy at age 50 if the results won't be believed?

[dancer67]

ID Smash: Thank you, that was the answer I was looking for. How do polyps grow, and how long it takes to cause symptoms. Nope, nothing has changed. My GI Dr pretty much said the same thing, but it is scary when it happens! It helps to talk to others who have the same issues. Thank you, ID Smash

Carryon: I have no idea what you are referring to. I absolutely believed my GI Dr 4 years ago when I was DX with internal/external hemorrhoida. My question now was a little different. If I chose to have a colonoscopy( which I do not at this time) and I got the all clear, then life would go on. I would appreciate you not questioning my motives/reasoning/logic on my thread. Thank you.

[Carryon]

With all due respect, you are "forum shopping", that is looking for the answer that you want. You don't want a colonoscopy unless your doctors orders it, which is reasonable; yet you want lay people here to tell you that polys can't develop into cancer in the time before you will have to get a colonoscopy. Why not ask that question of your doctor? You rather trust anonymous advice than your doctor? Doesn't make sense, especially if you have bleeding.

As Hypochondriacs, I think we all tend to do this. We never except the advice from a Doctor but when a fellow Hypochondriac tells you their symptoms and diagnosis, it's more of a comfort. Most of us feel Doctors simply miss something or don't care enough to find out the true problem. That comes with the illness.

But rest assured Dancer, you do not have Colon Cancer. You were already told what is causing your bleeding; internal hemorrhoids. They do not go away without surgery so yes, you would still be bleeding 4 years later if they were to be inflamed. If the bleeding persists or gets worse I would definitely see your Doctor. But if it is the same as it's been all this time, I wouldn't worry a tiny bit.

My comments were in reply to the above.

[Id Smash]

Then why believe the doctor that the cause is internal hemorrhoids? Why get the colonoscopy at age 50 if the results won't be believed?

I think inside we truly believe the Doctors but we can't except it. So we keep seeking reassurance from others who are experiencing the same issues. I know that when I was diagnosed with MS, I knew it was true but I couldn't accept it. So I joined MS forums and started talking to others who went through what I did. It helped me come to the realization that I do in fact have MS and things will be OK.

Something like hemorrhoids, there's no denying that. They are there and visible to the naked eye. HOWEVER, a Hypochondriac can't just admit they have hemorrhoids. They are convinced the Doctor missed something. Comes with the territory I suppose.

[Carryon]

People can share their experiences with a known ailment. But you are asking to be reassured that your rectal bleeding now is from hemorrhoids found in a sygmoidoscopy five years old and not polyps that could have arisen since that examination, and no one can say that. The sygmoidoscopy only looks at a small portion of the colon. You could have had something beyond the reach of the sygmoidosope and also hemmorhoids. As someone said above the "prudent" thing to do is get a colonoscopy if you have intermittent bleeding over that many years. You could have diverticulosis as well.