Bowel Cancer Fear

[Glitterbug]

Hi all,

I really hope someone can help or relate.

For the last 6 weeks I have thought I have had a brain tumor, breast cancer, a blood disorder and now bowel cancer.

Last September while I was away on holiday I went to the toilet for a bowel movement, when I wiped there was loads of blood both on the toilet paper and in the toilet. Ihad a bad panic attack and almost colapsed. I got my poor husband to have a look for me and he said he could see what he thought was a piece of skin hanging out. I used sone ansol and it cleared it up.

I mentioned it to the doctor and she said wait and see if it happens again and if so come back and see her. Since then every now and again I do have blood on the toilet paper after going for a bowel movement. At the weekend I went to the toilet and was slightley constapated. On first wipe there was a lot of blood on the toilet roll, looked like bright red some a little darker but like when you have a nose bleed and the blood soaks into the tissue.
For two days after every time I went for a bowel movement the pain was really bad like there was a cut or something there and again some blood on wiping but much less than the first time.

I went to the doctor on Monday and she had a quick look (she was in a hurry) and said it's probably a fissure or pile inside and has given me cream.
I have used it a couple of times but have not been for a stool yet so not sure it has worked.

This has been happening off and on for some months and am now worried that it is something more. I have also worried myself more as a couple of weeks ago I found a lump in my lower left side of tummy where it meets the pubic bone. The first doc I seen said it was a cyst but the 2nd said not a cyst it was a fatty lump. Now I am worried this is something to do with it. Am 32 years old and know that it might be ok but still feel this way

I really am driving myself crazy. My heart is thumping all over the place and missing beats as have worked myself up so much.

Any help greatly recieved.

[ClownWithLeprosy]

Whilst I'm not a Doctor, I do know that Bowel cancer only really affects people 60+. There are cases of people far younger than that getting it, but they generally have disgustingly bad diets and smoke. But I would advise you to go and see your GP again, but please do stay calm because there is a very high chance that it isn't cancer.

[Jo3016]

Your symptoms seem to point to piles or a fissure especially as there is bright red blood and it feels locally painful. I had piles on and off for a couple of months last Summer - they can take a while to go especially if you are constipated too.

I know it is hard but if you are really concerned, go back to your doctor and ask to be referred to a gastrointestinal specialist who can put your mind at rest. I know it is easier said than done but please try not to worry so much.

Let me know how you get on and take care

[Glitterbug]

Thank you for your replies. I am going back on Friday as the other reason I had to go to doctor in Monday was due to my heart and they have asked me to keep a note on it so she has made an appointment to see my usual doctor on Friday to go through my notes. My usual doctor knows that I suffer with HA so when looking me over she really has a good luck.
X

[Catalyst]

Hi Glitterbug

Am I right in thinking that you are pregnant?

Only, piles are extremely common in the latter stages of pregnancy, which could be why you're getting the problems more again now. (Sorry if my assumption is wrong!)

Whenever I've had them, the symptoms have been pain & bright red blood. When trying to go to the toilet, it can feel like a knife inside you (sorry!). The creams are ok, but to be honest if the piles are internal then the best thing to use is anusol suppositories. Not a pleasant thought, but I've always found they work well. (Just be aware that when you do go to the loo, it will come out 'white coated' - sorry far TMI!)

I understand the bowel cancer fear though. I went through it after my first child was born. My fear was triggered my bleeding (from piles!) & IBS. I ended up having a colonoscopy because there is a family history of bowel cancer, but I was given the all clear. I still get the bleeding from time to time, but the anusol soon fixes the problem. Good luck x

[Mogwog]

Hi Glitterbug

You have just described me! I have a fissure and piles so attractive!
I find if I drink that fybogel stuff or take something similar then it softens everything therfore reducing or eliminating the blood.

If you are pregnant though like someone else has suggested, you need to check you can use them (you probabaly know that though!)

L.xxxxxx

[MightyPC]

Glitterbug, I totally agree with Jo3016 comments. I have gone through similar concerns, though I had more symptoms than just bleeding. I had a colonoscopy in March and all was clear apart from some diverticulitis.

Clownwithleprosy, statistically bower cancer is uncommon in the under 45 age group and tends to occur in later age as you mention, but there are other factors too, mainly family history. A certain gene plays a big part too.
I knew a young lady of 29 who had it. She never smoked, always had a heathy diet and was very active and had no family history of the disease. Anyone no matter how young or old can get any type of cancer

[JulesD]

I have piles and have had a fissure, and they both can produce lots of blood, the pain is the tell tale sign, if its like razor bloods its a high chance its a fissure, if its just a sharp stabbing pain or a dull ache its piles

I have had a little dark blood before, and its just old blood from where you are constipated and its probably where you have bled the last time you went to the toilet and then not been to the toilet for a few days.

if the blood is streaked across the stool and on the toilet paper and mostly bright red its definately piles or fissure.

[unspoken]

Hi, yes, as the posters above have said, it's likely to be a fissure or piles, or maybe both. Make sure you drink plenty of water and don't get dehydrated because dehydration can make constipation worse. Something to soften your stools may help in the short term because otherwise you are reopening the cut every time you have a bowel movement. And yes, suppositories are better than the cream if you have a fissure. I had some which had to be kept in the fridge, it wasn't pleasant but it cleared up pretty fast. I was 17 and convinced I was seriously ill but the doctor examined me and said it was a fissure. As your doctor was brief with you last time, ask for a proper exam this time. It shouldn't take too long but should give you an explanation.

[Glitterbug]

Thank you to everyone for replying.

Catalyst you are right I am pregnant. This too has started since I had my first child. I spoke to a midwife at the hospital yesterday who advised it might have something to do with the 3rd degree tear I suffered with my first child.

I called the doctor the next day and was given suppositories and have used them over 2 days after going to the toilet. The pain has now gone and have had no more bleeding. Am trying to tell myself that if it was something more the tablets would have had no effect ( doctor did say that too).

I saw my normal doctor today who said that she felt it was internal piles or fissure but that once baby is here she would investagate it further, not because she thinks there is anything seriously wrong but because it seems to be something that has happened since having first child.

Hard as it is i am trying to think positive. Thanks again. x