Hi everyone
I'm new to these boards but I am extremely worried and was hoping someone may be able to offer some advice, or reassurance for me.

12 Months ago, I began having traces of blood on the toilet paper after a BM. Being rather silly and embarressed, I ignored it, convincing myself it was iether piles or a fissure.

As time has gone on, it has worsened, with more and more blood appearing on the the tissue, until now the tissue is more red than white. It also began to appear in the toilet bowl..............initially I could see blood streaks on the stool, but now the water is scarlet red and it is impossible to see through the water. The blood now occasionally drips onto my legs after a BM.

Recently on 2 occasions, I have felt the need for a BM, but when I got to the toilet, the urge passed and I just passed wind. Evan though there was no BM, there was still lots of blood in the toilet bowl.

In addition, I have recently started to lose a slight browny discharge.......not constantly but some of the time. The bleeding is now happening with a good 90% of bowel movements.

I have not been constipated, nor had I had diareah (sp). I don't have particularly hard stools, they are just normal, though the last 3 weeks, I have to go more, and recently they have not been as well formed, but as this has been going on 12 months that is fairly recent.

I get occasional stomach pain, quite low down near the pelvic region, but it is never really bad, its only ever an annoyance. I have alot of gas/flatulance all of the time, but initially i just put that down to me beign a very windy/smelly person :rolleyes:

Just recently, it has become painful to have a BM, like a real sharp stinging pain, but that is only the last 2-3 weeks. On a couple of occasions it has burned, but again this is only the last 2-3 weeks

I have also now got a small lump type thing, just on the entrance, but that has only appeared in the last 2 weeks

I finally went to my GP to get checked last week, becasue now I am really scared and it is getting worse all the time. My GP did a digital rectal exam, anemia bloods, and some other bloods which were all ok, and so she has now referred me to a specialist for him to have a better look with a camera........... :eek: :o

I know none of you are doctors, but could anyone give me any idea at all what this could be, has anyone had the same symptoms? Has anyone read anything about this. Anything is better than this wondering.

I can cope with anything, its the not knowing thats driving me nuts.
Please anybody that can offer any info or advice, it would be so much appreciated

Kind regards.

Rose, Sorry you to hear about your problems but am glad you have sought medical attention. It could be hemmroids, diverticulitis among other things...the only way you'll find out for sure is a colonoscopy. My best advice is to see a good colon/rectal specialist...by-pass the gastro doc...they do colonoscopies too, but a colon/rectal specialist eats, sleeps and breaths colons every day! ;)
And don't fear a colonoscopy, it's really no big deal...the clean out is the worse part....there's usually 2 ways to do it...."go lightly" you drink usually 64+ ounces the night before after you have been on a liquid diet and the other way is Fleet phoso-soda....you drink 1.5 ounces in the morning and 1.5 ounes at night while on a liquid diet....doc explained to me that the Fleet is for people who can stay by the bathroom all day whereas the "go lighty" is for people who have to work and can't miss an extra day before the colonoscopy. I had the Fleet and was no big deal at all... After you have the colonoscopy, you'll find out exactly what you're dealing with.....try to schedule as soon as possible just for your own peace of mind...I hate waiting and can deal with whatever, just need to know! :) Will keep you in my prayers....hang in there and keep us posted, please! P.S. You'll LOVE the sedation for the colonoscopy! :D Cathy

Thanks for your reply Cathy, it is very much appreciated.

Being an NHS patient means waiting unfortunately, but I have an appointment for the 16th of August, I know its not a lifetime away, but its far enough away to keep me worrying.

I don't know of the consultant, but I was given a choice of 2. I spoke to my aunt who work in admin at the hospital and she said this guy has an exceptional reputation and is extremely thorough, so that is the one I have chosen.

I really want it to be a heamorhoid (sp) or a fissure, but don't know whether the bleeding and other symptoms would be this bad. I don' really know anything of the other things that it could be, I am not very up on other medical conditions, I don't know anything about inflammatory bowel disease, or caner, only little bits, but I presume that the symptoms would be worse in some way?

Anyway, thanks again for you reply. Take Care

Rose

Rose, Husband has had hemmroids and diverticulitis both and has had bleeding as you described....sorry, forgot to mention that. He's got a colonoscopy now due to resection surgery for the diverticulitis....all bleeding has stopped....so his bleeding was definitely from one or the other or a combination of both. Sounds like you are going to be in good hands.... Try not to worry...have found that when we are worried the most is when the least is wrong. In the interim before the 16th, maybe someone else such as Harry who seems to be very knowledgeable can share some insight with you. Cathy

Rose...Husband has a colostomy...sorry, I said colonoscopy....and PLEASE don't let that scare you either...I posted it casually because we have found it a "piece of cake"...nothing to it...is due to have it reversed 8/3/04. He case was very rare...worse thing that could happen did...and still it (the colostomy) is a "piece of cake"... Good luck to you and I'll try to keep my big mouth shut so I won't scare you unnecessarily! :) Cathy