Passing blood - v.worried

ellieraine · 12-15-2004, 09:12 AM

I know (or am suspecting) that this has nothing to do with my PCOS, but I am terribly worried and just wanted some advice and support.....so I thought I'd turn to you guys....

For the past few weeks I've had terrible IBS type symptoms (bloated, bad stomach pains, cramps, passing mucus (sp?)/water) and now to top it all I have been passing blood in my stools...

I've been to the doctor who has taken me off of Met as a precaution for now, but she doesn't think that has caused the problems.

I've had blood tests (which have all come back as normal) and have given stool samples (no results yet).

The doc is going to call me tomorrow to discuss and I may need to specialist, but until then I am left here to panic.........

..............and I am

I am freaking out to be honest......it just isn't normal and every time it happens I panic even more.

I am going to my cousins wedding on Saturday, I am her bridesmaid and I am not sure if I can make it through the day without rushing to the loo.......then I am going away for a week on Sunday.......

I keep having visions about the awful things it could be, but I guess that if it was something would have shown up in the tests???? It may just be an infection/type of food poisioning but I can't help but worry.........

Amy_53405 · 12-15-2004, 11:10 AM

I have IBS also and when I have blood in my stool, it is always from internal hemrhoids (sp?) that I never even knew I had. I would try a non-chemical stool softener like Metamucil tablets. Take three of them a day (you can take up to six) and it works for being constipated or the "other" type..LOL...GL and I hope you feel better soon! Oh, you could also use a preparation H ointment and wipes, that could help a bit.

bethers · 12-15-2004, 11:11 AM

(((Hugs)))
You've gone to see your dr who is looking after you and running tests. I know it is hard, but try to keep your mind on other things until your dr gets back to you. Then you will know what you are dealing with.

Let us know what the dr says.

ellieraine · 12-16-2004, 06:43 AM

I've just got off the phone with the doc. Apparently all results came back as normal, so not allergic to wheat and no other probs detected. Stool samples not back yet though.

Still suffering and nearly didn't make it into work this morning as had bad bout when I got up.

I am being referred to a specialist but won't be seen until the New Year now which is totally crap....

I don't feel any better and there is still loads of blood which is freaking me out...

Little_Lady · 12-17-2004, 02:39 AM

I've had blood in my stools for years but i've never really worried about it. I assumed it was just piles. At the worst it could be bowel cancer but i think its very unlikely. At least you have gone to the docs to put ur mind at rest. You have done all you can. Hopefully ur doc will have some answers for you x

emmylala2003 · 12-19-2004, 04:16 AM

I can understand the feeling of absolute panic when one encounters a bowl full of blood. The first time this happend to me was last month. I had a normal bowel movement (at least I thought it was normal at the time) and when I got up to wipe I was floodered by the bright red blood I was staring at in the toilet. I droplettes, literally, coming from that nasty little orifice. The next day, it was comletey gone, not a trace of blood to be found. Then this week, it started again, blood in the bowl in the toilet paper. I was just a bleeding mess. I made an appointment with a Gasteroenterologist for the first week in January. I'm expecting to have a colonoscopy to find out what's, what. The way I see it, the worst it could be is cancer. Funny, I say that like its not a bad thing, but, what will be will be, but enough about me.

I personally think its either IBS, based on your symptoms. I've also read that Metformin can cause symptoms similar to IBS, especially at the beginning of therapy. I'm sure you'll be fine.

My motto: Don't worry about something, unless there's something to worry about.

glowingpurpleaura · 12-21-2004, 12:19 AM

I have IBS and get that too mine is currently being investigated to check that its definatley IBS. Little_Lady I'm concerned when you say you've had blood for years.. you should probally get that checked out! after all we dont bleed for no reason. I wouldnt worry too much but i would def follow your docs advice. Take care and let us knwo how you go. I have to have a cononoscopy so hey we might be in the same boat...

ellieraine · 01-04-2005, 04:58 AM

Happy New Year!

I saw a bowel specialist on New Years Eve (can't believe I got an appointment so quickly). He did an examination (not nice!) and has put me on anti-inflamatories twice a day. I am being referred for a colonoscopy which I should have sometime in Jan. He seems to think that I have colitis. I don't know much about it but he said that he'd go through it all once we get a clear diagnosis. I have to stop taking Metformin until I have a diagnosis but he said that that wouldn't have caused it. Since taking the anti-inflams I haven't had any blood but I also haven't had a proper bowel movement either.....

Has anyone else who has PCOS got colitis as well???? I am concerned about having to treat them both at the same time.

What a great start to 2005!!

Kissyboo · 01-27-2005, 07:52 PM

Hi there. I have a question. Is the blood actually in your stool? Like have you actually seen it mixed in there? Or have you just seen the blood in the toilet when you're finished? The reason I'm asking is, a few months ago I saw blood in the toilet and dang near freaked out. I called my Doctor and he asked if it was actually in my stool or just in the toilet. I told him i just saw it in the toilet. He asked if I had been constipated, which I was. Then he told me that most likely I busted a blood vessel from straining. Since the first incident of seeing blood, its happened a few more times when I was constipated. This might sound gross, but the blood actually streams out like im peeing (only if im pushing). My Doctor claims that nothing is wrong and its just the busted blood vessel. He ordered an MRI and CT SCAN and nothing showed up. He also wanted me to have a Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy, im not sure which one it was done, but I still cant bring myself to schedule the appointment. Im terrified of having that scope anywhere near my a*s!

DrewM · 01-27-2005, 08:24 PM

I've never experienced this but last year I went to the emergency room with my sister (who does not have PCOS) because she was bleeding so much. The doctor did a rectal exam and said she had internal hemorrhoids, which we'd never heard of.

Anyway, my point is that when he was making his diagnosis, the doctor asked her what COLOR the blood was. He said that if it was a darker red, then it meant that the bleeding was coming from somewhere else in the body (like the stomach, for example,)and was a darker color after going through intestines. He said if it was bright blood-red, then it meant the blood was coming from just inside the rectum, hence his diagnosis of hemorrhoids.

I think that goes along with what Crystal said. If it were IN the stool it would be darker and that means it went through the intestinal "process", for lack of a better term. According to that dr., that means it's most likely more serious than if the blood looks more "fresh." (Horrible adjective, I know.)

Just thought I would contribute since nobody else mentioned color.

I feel for you girls!

bunkhead · 02-08-2005, 12:29 AM

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to say that I mentioned to my ob/gyn a couple of years ago during my pap smear that I had been having rectal bleeding. She examined and saw that I have a skin tag (sorry for the description) on the inside of my rectum and it tears and bleeds when I push or am constipated. The pain was and still is terrible and she recommended using hemorroid cream. This does help somewhat but I would love to have it gone forever. I'm just too embarassed to go to a dr to have it removed. It gets unbearable sitting for any length of time. Thanks for the posts everyone! Have a good day!