HealthBoards - View Single Post - Pencil thin, Constipation, Hemhorroids...

Getting worried · 04-14-2009, 08:00 PM

Update: I did go see the health center where I was training a couple months ago and the Doc (PA) did the finger rectal exam and had me do the 3-sample Fecal Ocult Blood Test, which he said came back negative. He said I did have internal hemorrhoids and a tag from and external one a while back. He said he didn't feel anything wrong on the finger/prostate test and gave me some suppositories for the hemorrhoids and some sort of pill to help with the constipation. It slowly did help with the constipation. One concern I had though was how the FOBT would come back negative when I know I had blood on one of the three samples I turned in. Kind of made me wonder...

Over the next month or so, the constipation decreased a bit for a week or so, but then started back. I've taken stool softeners regularly and make sure to eat enough fiber and stay hydrated. The stools returned to full size for a week or so then started to go back to the flatter type with ocassional thin stools again. I read somewhere that if it were a tumor/polyp, etc., the stool shape wouldn't go back and forth like that. Is that a good assumption? Can inflamed hemorrhoids be the cause of the constipation and the thin stools?

Starting this past weekend, my last three visits to the toilet have had the bright red blood, more so than normal. It prompted me to go back in and see another PA at the health center. He confirmed Hemorrhoids were there and gave me some more suppositories. He said although the hemorrhoids seem to be the culprit for the bleeding, the only way to rule out the other possibilities for peace of mind would be to get a colonoscopy somewhere else. Having several of the symptoms that always lead to "go see a doctor right away", it has caused me to worry. But I have seen two docs now who didn't seem too concerned.

Should I still be concerned enough to try and schedule a colonoscopy? Again I am only 29 and my dad has had polyps found a few years ago at age 55, but otherwise there is no family history of cancer. If I should get one, how urgent would scheduling an appointment be. I am away for training for another month and I'm told it can take a few weeks to schedule. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

04-14-2009, 08:00 PM	#4
Getting worried Newbie (male) Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Re: Pencil thin, Constipation, Hemhorroids... Update: I did go see the health center where I was training a couple months ago and the Doc (PA) did the finger rectal exam and had me do the 3-sample Fecal Ocult Blood Test, which he said came back negative. He said I did have internal hemorrhoids and a tag from and external one a while back. He said he didn't feel anything wrong on the finger/prostate test and gave me some suppositories for the hemorrhoids and some sort of pill to help with the constipation. It slowly did help with the constipation. One concern I had though was how the FOBT would come back negative when I know I had blood on one of the three samples I turned in. Kind of made me wonder... Over the next month or so, the constipation decreased a bit for a week or so, but then started back. I've taken stool softeners regularly and make sure to eat enough fiber and stay hydrated. The stools returned to full size for a week or so then started to go back to the flatter type with ocassional thin stools again. I read somewhere that if it were a tumor/polyp, etc., the stool shape wouldn't go back and forth like that. Is that a good assumption? Can inflamed hemorrhoids be the cause of the constipation and the thin stools? Starting this past weekend, my last three visits to the toilet have had the bright red blood, more so than normal. It prompted me to go back in and see another PA at the health center. He confirmed Hemorrhoids were there and gave me some more suppositories. He said although the hemorrhoids seem to be the culprit for the bleeding, the only way to rule out the other possibilities for peace of mind would be to get a colonoscopy somewhere else. Having several of the symptoms that always lead to "go see a doctor right away", it has caused me to worry. But I have seen two docs now who didn't seem too concerned. Should I still be concerned enough to try and schedule a colonoscopy? Again I am only 29 and my dad has had polyps found a few years ago at age 55, but otherwise there is no family history of cancer. If I should get one, how urgent would scheduling an appointment be. I am away for training for another month and I'm told it can take a few weeks to schedule. Thanks for the advice, everyone!