In pain & terrified of bowel/rectal cancer [TMI, toilet issues]

[frightenedallthetime]

Hi, I've lurked here for a while but never posted before. HA ruined my 20s (I'm now 35) and left me hardly able to function, but for a few years now it's been under control. Then in Xmas week I had some bleeding from the back passage, not much and I thought it was probably from a small tear as I'd been constipated due to an IBS flare up. Then a few days later it happened again. Couldn't see the Dr until this week as the surgery was closed, endured the finger-up-the-backside exam which was agony & I could barely sit down afterwards. She said she didn't think the bleeding was anything serious but got me to do a stool sample, she said to test for inflammatory bowel disease but now I'm terrified as I've been uncomfortable in that area since seeing her yesterday and there was a small amount of blood again after she'd examined me. I'm so scared, I've had 2 panic attacks today and I don't know how I'm going to cope waiting for the news, which I just feel completely certain is going to be the worst possible. I could really use some sensible advice as I can't seem to calm down. Thanks, and sorry for the wall of text. x

[PanickyGuy]

Hi,

Well usually if it's fresh looking blood, as in light red streaks on toilet paper and mixed with the water in the toilet, then they say it's either a anal fistula or a hemorrhoid.

In my case, I've had bleeding before and it turned out to be a hemorrhoid. And mine was caused by constipation as well.

But your doc said she didn't think it was anything serious, so I'd take stock in that. I mean if she did, she probably would of referred you to a specialist. Right? But if you're still worried about it, you could get referred to a specialist for peace of mind. But the verdict of whether it's serious are not, is probably going to be the same from the specialist.

[Darren O]

Hi. Im the same, petrified of the big c. Like yourself I have IBS - I was diagnosed a couple of years back but have only had short flare ups. Come the end of October I had a sudden Heartburn flare up, And the next day had abdominal pain and passing fresh blood on stool, Mucus, bowel movements changed, colors etc. The blood carried on for 3 weeks and then started getting very smaller and finally hardly noticeable - Abdominal pain had not stopped though. Come yesterday its back again for me. I went straight to the doctors who performed blood tests for inflammation, full blood count, kidney function. All cam back clear. Had the magic glove up no signs there, felt my stomach numerous times all clear. Finally been referred to colorectal department at local hospital but doctor is more than happy to make it a routine appointment and no need for immediate referral. As im only 33 he feels risks are very low, no weight loss etc. Abdominal pain has mostly gone, But I still have specs of blood, mucus ever movement, and different color stools every time I go. It has played like hell on my mind since, the waiting is playing games on my mind. Never really had anxiety this bad before but I feel like im going crazy of late. Was the blood on your stool also?

[Capercrohnj]

Hi,

Well usually if it's fresh looking blood, as in light red streaks on toilet paper and mixed with the water in the toilet, then they say it's either a anal fistula or a hemorrhoid.

In my case, I've had bleeding before and it turned out to be a hemorrhoid. And mine was caused by constipation as well.

But your doc said she didn't think it was anything serious, so I'd take stock in that. I mean if she did, she probably would of referred you to a specialist. Right? But if you're still worried about it, you could get referred to a specialist for peace of mind. But the verdict of whether it's serious are not, is probably going to be the same from the specialist.

I think you mean fissure not fistula. Fistulas are not common and bleeding isn't a sign you have them. The general public has no reason to think they have fistulas.

[frightenedallthetime]

Hi. Im the same, petrified of the big c. Like yourself I have IBS - I was diagnosed a couple of years back but have only had short flare ups. Come the end of October I had a sudden Heartburn flare up, And the next day had abdominal pain and passing fresh blood on stool, Mucus, bowel movements changed, colors etc. The blood carried on for 3 weeks and then started getting very smaller and finally hardly noticeable - Abdominal pain had not stopped though. Come yesterday its back again for me. I went straight to the doctors who performed blood tests for inflammation, full blood count, kidney function. All cam back clear. Had the magic glove up no signs there, felt my stomach numerous times all clear. Finally been referred to colorectal department at local hospital but doctor is more than happy to make it a routine appointment and no need for immediate referral. As im only 33 he feels risks are very low, no weight loss etc. Abdominal pain has mostly gone, But I still have specs of blood, mucus ever movement, and different color stools every time I go. It has played like hell on my mind since, the waiting is playing games on my mind. Never really had anxiety this bad before but I feel like im going crazy of late. Was the blood on your stool also?

Hi Darren, really sorry you're having such a bad time. I'm also experiencing a real circus act with the IBS, all the same symptoms you describe, worst flare-up I can remember so you definitely have my sympathies ... Yes the blood was on my stool but not in it if that makes sense? At least as far as I could see it seemed like it was just passing through whatever was bleeding. I know from my stupid habit of Googling symptoms that most bleeding isn't cancer so keeping my fingers crossed we're both ok. I hope you don't have to wait too long for your appointment with the specialist. It's so hard to keep calm but wishing you all the best. x

---------- Post added at 19:40 ---------- Previous post was at 19:39 ----------

Hi,

Well usually if it's fresh looking blood, as in light red streaks on toilet paper and mixed with the water in the toilet, then they say it's either a anal fistula or a hemorrhoid.

In my case, I've had bleeding before and it turned out to be a hemorrhoid. And mine was caused by constipation as well.

But your doc said she didn't think it was anything serious, so I'd take stock in that. I mean if she did, she probably would of referred you to a specialist. Right? But if you're still worried about it, you could get referred to a specialist for peace of mind. But the verdict of whether it's serious are not, is probably going to be the same from the specialist.

Thanks for the reply PanickyGuy, and I'm glad your own trouble turned out okay. You're right, I know I should try and take comfort from my Dr saying it's probably not serious but I can't help dwelling on the 'what if ...'

[Darren O]

Hi Darren, really sorry you're having such a bad time. I'm also experiencing a real circus act with the IBS, all the same symptoms you describe, worst flare-up I can remember so you definitely have my sympathies ... Yes the blood was on my stool but not in it if that makes sense? At least as far as I could see it seemed like it was just passing through whatever was bleeding. I know from my stupid habit of Googling symptoms that most bleeding isn't cancer so keeping my fingers crossed we're both ok. I hope you don't have to wait too long for your appointment with the specialist. It's so hard to keep calm but wishing you all the best. x

---------- Post added at 19:40 ---------- Previous post was at 19:39 ----------



Thanks for the reply PanickyGuy, and I'm glad your own trouble turned out okay. You're right, I know I should try and take comfort from my Dr saying it's probably not serious but I can't help dwelling on the 'what if ...'

Thank you, wishing you all the best also. Im booked in early Feb. Any news on when you get results?

[PanickyGuy]

I think you mean fissure not fistula. Fistulas are not common and bleeding isn't a sign you have them. The general public has no reason to think they have fistulas.

You mean it isn't always a sign that you might have that one particular one thing, right? I mean yeah, it could be a symptom of something else like a hemorrhoid or fissure too. But you can bleed from fistulas as one symptom, regardless. Maybe it's rare and not everybody has that with a fistula, I guess? Is that what you mean?

---------- Post added at 15:09 ---------- Previous post was at 14:58 ----------

Thanks for the reply PanickyGuy, and I'm glad your own trouble turned out okay. You're right, I know I should try and take comfort from my Dr saying it's probably not serious but I can't help dwelling on the 'what if ...'

Thanks and I feel for ya, man. Been there many times. I know that feeling. The "what if's" are always lurking in the back of our minds with GAD and Panic disorder. It sucks and drives us crazy.

Usually I try to focus on a hobby or something to keep my mind occupied from the "what if's", but that doesn't always work. The key is trying to focus your mind on something else positive.

[frightenedallthetime]

Thank you, wishing you all the best also. Im booked in early Feb. Any news on when you get results?

Feb is good, I know it feels like a long time but at least you're 'on the books' as it were, and I'm sure the specialist will be able to put your mind at ease ... so frustrating that our bodies and minds put us through this. Not sure when I'll get results, I think it's normally about 2 weeks but they're overstretched right now so maybe longer. I'm going to try and take PanickyGuy's advice from this thread & distract myself as much as possible. It's good advice

---------- Post added at 22:10 ---------- Previous post was at 22:07 ----------

Thanks and I feel for ya, man. Been there many times. I know that feeling. The "what if's" are always lurking in the back of our minds with GAD and Panic disorder. It sucks and drives us crazy.

Usually I try to focus on a hobby or something to keep my mind occupied from the "what if's", but that doesn't always work. The key is trying to focus your mind on something else positive.

Definitely good advice, normally I manage to keep my mind occupied these days but this kind of came out of the blue and it's set me off again :-\ Gonna keep trying though. Thanks again. Here's to feeling better!