Rectal Bleeding

[M.]

I'm a 31-year-old female with no known family history of colon cancer. I've been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding with bowel movements, but not consistently. I could go 1 or more months in between episodes. Sometimes it's just a little blood, and sometimes it's a substantial amount. Actually, I can remember having this happen when I was even a teenager, intermitently. With all the publicity being given to colon cancer, I'm really scared that I may have it. It seems every time I turn around there's another news story about this cancer. What are the risk factors for someone my age for colorectal cancer? Should I see my family doctor, or should I make an appointment right away for a colonoscopy?

[Greg C]

I think your risk for colon cancer at your age is very very small.  There are many things that can cause rectal bleeding - hemeroids, benign polups, crone's disease (chronic inflamation of the colon), diverticulitis (an inflamed bulging of your colon), irritable bowel syndome maybe, and some other conditions.

Do you have any pain associated with this?  If I were you, I would see your family doctor as soon as you can - most likely he will order a colonoscopy.  Try not to worry too much about it.  Chances of cancer are very small.  Go get it checked out.  Most likely you will be relieved to find nothing serious is wrong.

Good luck.

[M. to Greg C.]

No, no pain associated with this at all. This week I have been feeling a little light-headed, but I don't know if I could possibly be coming down with the flu or something, separate from this.

During the colonoscopy procedure, I know that they give you a mild sedative to help calm you, and I understand there's no pain involved, as there's no nerve endings inside the colon. Do you just experience a feeling of pressure from the insertion point? How long does the sedative take effect? Is this something that I would need someone else with me to drive me home afterwards, or it is not that heavy of a sedative? Does the doctor know the prognosis right away, since they're seeing the results at the same time they're doing it? I know - I'm full of questions, but I like to be as well-informed about stuff as I can, before it happens.

[Josh]

Hi-
I have basically the same question...ive been bleeding rectally for the last week when i have a bowel movement. But my uncle has colon cancer (hes 49) so im worried. But, i wont have insurance till June, so is there need for me to have it looked at immediately?

[Sara]

hi, i also have s imilar question. i am 19 yrs old and have only experienced bleeding twice, both incidents were in the past couple of months. i have no abdominal pain or fevers. i caught a cold a week ago, but am getting over it right now. other than that everything has felt normal. i am not having bowel movements more frequently or differently than i normally have. any ideas why i am experiencing this and what i can do

[Garrett]

wow, i didn't know that there are other people in my situation.  i am 19 and healthy, and for the past year or two, off and on, i have had the same problem, sometimes a lot of blood, sometimes barely any, no pain, obviously i am not too excited about confronting a doctor about this, do you all think that i should worry at all?, every once in awhile i think it goes away, but then it suddenly reoccurs, if anyone has any valid advice, please post...THANKS

[Jane]

I am 23 and have the same problems, though mine have been going on for quite a long time (see the message I've already posted).  I've had tests and the doctor said given my age, the fact that this has been happening for quite a while with no other symptoms and the fact that there is no family history, then it probably is nothing serious.

[Greg C]

I am not a doctor, so can't answer your questions too well.  I haven't had a colonoscopy so don't know the details.  What I hear is it is not painful and you are sedated.

For crying out loud people, bleeding means that there is something not right.  Why are you folks so afraid to go to a doctor?  Your chances of cancer are very small, but not 0.  There are other less serious disorders which can cause bleeding.  Nevertheless, are you willing to risk your life because you are uneasy about seeing a doctor?  Go get it checked out.

[colleen to craig]

could you look at the Blasto question please I need help   thanks

[shelley]

I have had 5 colonoscopies over a number of years so I guess I'll jump in here and see if I can help.  First of all you need to be sure what test you're having.  A sigmoidoscopy is usually done in the doctor's (Gastroenterologist) office.  You are fully awake and feel some discomfort as scope twists and turns it's way through.  Kind of like gas cramping pains.  The Colonoscopy you are generally put right out for.  You can even request it be done using a general anesthetic.  I had a habit of coming awake mid way through the procedure which was indeed painful.  I recently voiced that concern to my new Gastro doc who asked if I'd like a general anesthetic.  It was wonderful..never woke..never felt anything.  With colonoscopies the worst part is definintely the prep before hand.  You have to drink some awfully nasty tasting stuff.  It's really quite bad but you do what you have to do.

My concern with the bleeding so many of you are experiencing is that bleeding certainly indicates a problem.  First thought of course would be hemroids.  I've been a colitis patient for 15 years and have never tested positive for blood in my stool.  My son had severe rectal bleeding a couple years ago that scared us to death.  Tests were given and no answers.  Finally we got smart and took him off one of the meds he's on for his bipolar disorder because we had read that in rare instances it could cause rectal bleeding.  Low and behold it was the culprit.  We've replaced that medication with another more friendly one.  So, check your meds.  It could be as simple as that.  Hope I've helped.

[kim]

do you have freckles on your lips?  if so, go right away and get tested for peutz-jeghers syndrome.  my whole family has it.

[leo]

I had a sigflex a few years ago...they do not put you out...if
done properly there is no pain until they reach the bowel. Then
there is a few seconds of severe gas like cramps but they go
away as soon as they leave the bowel....

I have had a full colonoscopy...two times...both times they found
small pollops (non-cancer after biopsy).  I cannot tell you if
the proceedure hurt or not.  The seditive they give you will not
put you out because they have to get you to turn sometimes to
avoid puncture of the colon; however, I rememember nothing after
the proceedure.  The doctor even told my wife that she would
have to repeat his findings since I would not remember anything
about it and for about 1/2 hour after.  You must have some one
to drive you home or they will not perform the proceedure.
Good Luck and follow-up on the advice on checking your meds...

[Christine]

Hi all-- Leo is right, they don't put you out completely but you will not remember any of it depending on which medication they give. Sometimes they give Demerol and Valium but with Valium you may remember things. You can ask for Versed instead of Valium, this is the medication that causes the "amnesia". Don't be afraid to get this procedure, not knowing what's wrong and worrying is much worse. It's good to be cautious, but with all the warnings about colon cancer in the news people are worrying themselves TOO much. Just go see your doctor- you'll be glad you did.

[M.]

FYI, I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. So hopefully everything will turn out to be nothing serious. Actually, I'd had this appt. set up already for something else, but I called last week and asked to see the doc instead of the nurse practitioner, so will mention the bleeding to him and see what he wants to do. Wish me luck!

[Bob Simons]

I have the same problem except I think mine is bleeding on the surface as it only gets on the paper. There is a new test that is done in a lab. You send in samples of stool on slides and they put drops on it to see if it reacts and that will tell you if its colon-rectal cancer. I have to turn mine in soon and see what they say. PS. I'm 48 yrs. old and have had an anal abcess, along with Hepatitis-C,Diabetes II, chirossis, and gall bladder removed last year. Lots of fun ahead!

[Sherry]

I had a colonoscopy done a few months ago.  I had no pain killers nor anesthia given to me.  Let me tell you people, I wanted to come up off of that table!!!  I suggest to all of those out there that you request something to relax you.  Of course I lived to tell about it, however, I know I will never go through another without something to put me into la la land.  FYI, my understanding is that the procedure for some reason is more painful to women than to men.

[lisa]

im a 21 year old whos been having bleeding in my stools off and on for 3 years . the doctor has done the signoscopy and xrays of my intestines and they found nothing. well 2 days ago i noticed blood in my stool again and ive had a weird pain in my leftside abdomenen kind of like a tugging pain only when i bend over. what could it be a pulled ab muscle because i did use the ab machine 3days ago  i m getting so baffled about the blood tho.

[Gina Ing]

I am new at this posting. I am taking care of my 31 year old sister who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year. Her tumor was removed and she went through chemotherapy and radiation. She also had an eliostomy for three months. It was just reversed a week ago. Now she does not have to have a bag anymore.

I would like to learn more about the type of diet and nutrition she should follow after surgery. Also, she was not supposed to loose her hair from her chemotherapy treatment. But she lost it almost all. We do not know the reasons since the oncologist have not encountered similar cases where people have lost their hair. Again, the chemo for colon cancer is different. FOr other cancers people do loose their hair. Anyone have any comments? I would like to know experiences in taking care of her diet and comments about loosing hair. SHe is so afraid it will not come back since it has been almost two months since she lost it.
Thank you,  GINA

[Josh]

I am 21 years old, and I read all of your comments, and I just thought that I would mention some of my symptoms:  No pain, but a lot of bleeding, sometimes throught my pants at work!.  If you have any suggestions please let me know.  I am not afraid to go to the doctor, I just don't have any insurance till May.  Do you think that it can wait till then!  Help!  josh.***@**** is my e-mail address.  Thanks!

Josh

[in pain]

i don't know if this belongs to this forum, but oh well.  for as much of my life as i can remember, bowel movements have been a pain.  it started as just going about once a week.  then, i fixed it by eating right and taking better care of myself.  then i broke my jaw and couldn't eat anything solid for six months.  during that time my stool was very clumpy and soon they were all clumping together becoming rather large and hurting a lot.  then one day, it started bleeding.  it bled for a while every time i would go, but then i fixed it for a while.  now it has come back and i bleed every time and it really hurts.  it is just too big, what can i do?
oh yeah, im 18.  active a lot, in kinda good shape, eat what everyone else eats.  can't afford to go to the doctor unless it would really be worth it.  what can be done to fix me?

[Diane]

EVERYONE OF YOU LISTEN UP,
I IMPLORE YOU ALL TO GO TO YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATLY. BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF "99 I STARTED TO HAVE RECTAL BLEEDING.  IT WAS'NT MUCH AT FIRST. THEN IT CAME EVERY WEEKEND TRYING TO RUIN MY SOCIAL LIFE. I WOULD GET ABOUT 3 OR 4 MOVEMENTS ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER AT ABOUT 10 MINUTE INTERVALS.  I LOST SO MUCH BLOOD I WOULD BECOME VERY WEAK AND NAUSEAS.  THE LAST TIME IT STRUCK I PASSED OUT  TWICE FROM THE LOSS OF BLOOD.  I WENT TO THE HOSIPTAL AND WAS TOLD I WAS CLOSE TO DEATH FROM LOSS OF BLOOD. I WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND GIVEN 3 UNITS OF BLOOD. TESTS WERE RUN AND THE RESULTS WERE CROHNS DISEASE.  MY LARGE AND SMALL INTESTINES WERE RIPPING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND THERE WAS POLYPS ON MY COLON. SURGERY WAS IMMEDIATE. NOW NO MORE BLEEDING.  I FEEL GREAT.  SO PLEASE GO TO THE DOCTOR. DONT PLAY WITH YOUR LIFE.

[To "in pain 18 yr old"]

If you have large hard stools, this can irritate and tear the anal linings causing bleeding.

The best thing you can do is increase your fiber intake - eat whole grains, bran, etc. and/or take some fiber supplements like metamucil.  Also, drink lots of water (at least 8 8oz glasses a day).  The fiber and water will help to make your stools softer.  Believe me, this will help a lot.  If you have continued bleeding, you should see a doctor.

[lucas]

You know, this is great, I was worried about being so young and all the blood, but now I don't feel so bad. Whoo Hoo!
Anyway, here's my case: soon after I started college, I started finding blood in the toilet. Now, I hadn't really been looking n the toilet much, so the first time I noticed the blood I was scared silly, and it occurred to me that I could have been bleeding during EVERY movement for quite a while: but I never checked, so I never noticed. I've been checking regularly ever since.

What I've deduced is this: first, that there is usually NO pain involved. Second, that most of the bleeding takes place AFTER I have finished my movement, and while I'm just sitting there finishing the chapter of whatever book I'm reading. This was a relief since I had this idea that blood AFTER a movement couldn'r be nearly as serious as blood MIXED in with stools. Am I right about this??? I don't know.

Anyway, this bleeding usually lasts on and off, to differing degrees, for a couple of days to a couple of MONTHS. But it usually goes away for such long period of times that by the time I'm home to visit the family doctor, I've forgotten all about it.

My current wory stems from this: I just moved to NYC, and ALL of my medical insurance just ended, and I don't have any money to see a doctor . . . so OF COURSE, after nearly a year of no incidences of bleeding that I can remember -- I am now bleeding regularly with every movement. Yuck.

But after reading these posts, now I'm thinking that I'm just not eating enough fiber and drinking enough water. That could make sense. Or maybe it has something to do with times of high stress (First: starting college; later, moving to NY, etc . . .) --- Anyway, does any of my rationalizing make any medical sense here?

God, I hope I don't have cancer . . .

[Mike]

I don't know if i'm in the right forum or not but my situation is this: 2 years ago i started getting a clear liquidy substance in the rectal area, it would actually leak through to my undrwear(not pleasant when you work sitting down) soon afterward i went to the doctor and he diagnosed a small cyst as the leaking culprit and also internal hemmoroids, does anyone know if hemmoroids swell up enough to feel like your sitting on a lump at times? I've been to two doctors, and two times i had a scope up my butt, they have said the same thing and prescribed suppositories, i,m 31 and in good shape, just very uncomfortable!
My belly gurgles and makes strange noises, is there a connection?

Thanks all!!

[Sara]

This one is for Lucas. Yeah maybe the blood after your bowel movement isn't as serious. and maybe it is the stress. i have a friend who had the same problem and he was under a lot of stress. he ended up going to the doc. and they gave him some stuff and now he's cool. i know its really weird to have to go to the docs about this, i am not looking forward to it, but hey, we don't wanna get really sick now do we