Hi Everyone:

I'm new here. I've been reading the messages on this board for two days now and finally got up the courage to post. I need some help trying to stay rational while I wait for my dr. appt. Here's my story.

I'm a 54 year old female (post menopausal). I had my first colonoscopy at age 42 and another in 1999 at age 49. Both were clear. (Had them because of problems with nausea, constipation, and because Grandmother died of rectal cancer at age 52).

In February of this year I had some bad constipation which resulted in flare-up of hemorrhoids. This was the first time in 25 years that they started bleeding. It wasn't much blood, just on the toilet tissue. I used some prep H and they got better.

After a few months, (maybe in June?) I had a very difficult BM and felt a sharp pain in my rectum. More bleeding and this time the blood was in the toilet water. It looked like a lot of blood to be from hemorrhoids but I thought maybe the hard stool did some damage. For about 3 days I had some bleeding after BM and was getting ready to make dr. appointment when it just stopped. Hemorrhoids cleared up and all seemed back to normal.

Last Thursday I had another difficult BM and, although the hemorrhoids didn't seem inflamed, I passed blood again with bowel movement on Friday. Of course I went into panic mode but there was no blood with Saturday's BM. I was about to forget the whole episode, but blood again on Sunday. There was no blood today.

I'm sorry for such a long description, but here are my questions:

The blood is not in the stool, it comes after passing the stool. Is this an indication of whether it's from hemorrhoids?

I thought this type of cancer takes years to develop from polyps. I had a colonoscopy 5 years ago, wouldn't this have shown up as a polyp or something then?

Do polyps or cancers start bleeding, stop for months, and then start bleeding again or do they bleed continually? Those of you who experienced visible blood, what was the pattern?

I know you guys are not doctors but it seems like there's a lot of knowledge and experience here which is very valuable. I'm really scared and I appreciate your input.

Thanks, Annie.

The blood is not in the stool, it comes after passing the stool. Is this an indication of whether it's from hemorrhoids?


It would be consistent with hemmerhoids or a low tumour.

I thought this type of cancer takes years to develop from polyps. I had a colonoscopy 5 years ago, wouldn't this have shown up as a polyp or something then?

Same time period between my colonoscopy and later diagnoses with rectal tumour.

Do polyps or cancers start bleeding, stop for months, and then start bleeding again or do they bleed continually? Those of you who experienced visible blood, what was the pattern?

Both patterns have been reported by folks who have posted here whp did have cancer. Mine was blood that did not subside with prep H application.

Thanks Jaydees, that's what I was afraid of. I've read thru many posts here and it seems there are such varied symptoms that one cannot try to second guess what's happening. I'm preparing myself for the worst.

I hope you are doing well. I've read thru many of your posts and you've been a great help to others here. Thanks again.

Blood appearing in the toilet bowl can be startling but often times it looks like more then there actually is.
My father was diagnosed with rectal cancer after presistant bleeding in 2002, bowel frequency and loose stools. Shortly after that, ironically, I developed rectal bleeding, you can imagine how fearful I was, I do understand your concerns believe me!
Rectal bleeding can be caused by many things other than cancer including but not limited to hemmroids. Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, infection, fissures, ulcers, benign polyps, inflammation and Diverticular disease are just some culprits.
How is your appetite? Have you had a noticable change in your bowel movements, consistancy, frequency? These symptoms were very apparent with my Dad before he was diagnosed. My Dad's tumor was only an inch or so from the anus so he actually could feel it when sitting down (I can't imagine how uncomfortable that would be). He is such a couragous man.
Polyps can turn malignant if left to long, they can take up to ten years.
I suffer alot with constipation, after my colonoscopy results showed no signs of cancer or polyps, I am making modifications in my diet, more fiber which has helped. Constipation alone can irritate and injure the mucosa lining in the rectum especially when straining to have a bowel movement.
When is your appointment? Try not to worry to much, I know that it is hard but anxiety can make symptoms worse.
Take care.
PS Just thought I would mention, my Dad has been cancer free for 2 years!

Thanks Dads1stGirl. I appreciate your answer and I'm so glad to hear your Dad is doing well. What was your bleeding from?

Since I've almost always had hemorrhoids, I just assumed that's what caused the bleeding the first time (they were very inflamed and painful at the time). This time, however, it's got me more concerned. I've only had bleeding with 2 bm's and it has since stopped. My appetite is fine and I have normal stools most of the time (occasionally a little looser and occasionally hard as a rock). The hard one is what I think caused this episode of bleeding. I will try to schedule a dr. appt. week after next. Should I go to my GP first or just go straight to the doc who did my last colonoscopy?

Thanks again,
Annie

My bleeding, humm, that is a good question......
Last November I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Proctitis. Method of diagnosis was Sigmoidocopy. I was put on a couple courses of prednisone and anti-inflammatories. When I still wasn't feeling better, a full scope was sheduled and we were shocked when the GI ruled out Ulcerative Proctitis, virtually "undiagnosing me". I have inflammation in my rectum but the source of my bleeding wasn't and isn't caused by Inflamatory Bowel Disease as originally thought. So back to square one in a sense. I have been referred to a Rheumatologist for further exploratory testing for diseases of the joints and connective tissue such as Lupus, Arthritis. Still bleeding, but a relief that it isn't caused by a tumor!
Did the GI speak with you after your test? For mine, we scheduled an appointment right at the hospital. Normally, several biopsies are taken (as well as any polyps that can be snared are removed). If they found a problem, I would think that their office would get in touch with you for an appointment but if findings were "unremarkable", they may simply send a letter off to your GP. Usually biopsy results come back in 5 days after they were taken. Don't hesitate in calling your GPs office to see if any information has been received from the GI. I like to ask for a copy of the letter.
Stay positive!

annie, I have to correct myself. It was 7 years not 5 between my first c'scopy and my diagnoses. I was supposed to have a c'scopy 5 years after the first but neglected to do so.

That's one of the things that I can beat myself up about now, the "what if I had scheduled the next c'scopy when I was told to?"

My colon cancer was diagonosed 4 years after a clear colonoscopy. I was having very minor bleeding and itching sometimes after I went for a run. My doctors thought for sure it was hemmorhoids but decided to do a flex sig where a small ulcer-like mass was found just barely inside the anus. And it was cancerous. I had absolutely no other symptoms. Do to the location and a few other factors I now have a colostomy but I am cancer free. To me, a fair trade! So I would advise to have this checked out as it probably is nothing serious but if it is you will have caught it early. The majority of cases do not end up with a permanent colostomy but it really not a big deal. I'm heading to the Bahamas to scuba dive in October and will be able to wear my bikini! Good luck.

Hi Annie,
My bleeding, hummm, good question.
Last year, I had tests done suggesting Ulcerative Proctitis, had bleeding, nausia, joint/muscle pain and other symptoms that logically pointed to the disease. I was treated, when I wasn't responding adequately to the meds, a full scope was done revealling inflammation but not caused by "Ulcerative" Proctitis. The GI has referred me to a Rhrumatologist for further exploratory tests. The bleeding for me is just a secondary thing that may or may not be related to what is going on with my joints.
I always have blood with constipation as well, that is the only time in fact.
Did your GI speak to you after the proceedure? In my experience, I have always met with the doctor who did the test, then he sends a letter off to your GP. Did he tell you when the biopsy results will be in? Again from my experience, it takes about 5 days. If findings were unremarkable, he may just send a letter to your GP.

WestCoastGirl - thanks for your story. How old were you at time of dx and how long ago was it. I'm so happy to hear how well you are doing. You're an inspiration and your story is very encouraging. I'm feeling rather like a wet noodle as I haven't been sleeping very well the last couple of nights worrying about all this. Its time for me to stop worrying and get it taken care of.

Hi again Annie - I was diagonosed in April 2003 shortly after my 51 birthday. Also because the mass was discovered so early I didn't need any further treatments. Recovering from the surgery took a few months but it all seems like a distant memory now. Let me know what you find out.

Thanks to all for your replies. I had more blood with bm today after 2 days of none, so I don't think this is hemorrhoid related. I have a feeling its gonna be bad news. I have a doctor appt on Tuesday with the GI who did my scope in 1999. Please pray for me.
Annie

Sorry Annie, I didn't realize my post was recorded last night, for some reason I thought it was lost so I posted a shorter version of it this morning.
Take care!

West Coast Girl:
You mentioned that you had minor bleeding and itching. What was the itching from. The itching is why I first thought this was hemorrhoids! Funny thing, though, the itch is higher up than you'd think, its like up near my tail bone. What could be causing this?

Dads1st
The colonoscopy I had done 5 years ago was clear and doctor met with me afterwards to discuss. He didn't have an explanation for my nausea and bowel problems at that time, but it was later discovered I had a thyroid condition that was causing all my symptoms. This GI doc is very good and I like him, hence I am going back to him on Tuesday. Just don't know how I'll get thru the week until the appointment. I'm already convinced its going to be bad news. Just praying for the best outcome.

Annie

Annie - I think the itching was from the anus being irritated by the cancer. I hope you have good news on Tuesday as there are so many things that can go on in our intestines. It's not always trouble but if it is, it's not the end of the world. I'm going to be away until Oct. 4 but I'll be thinking of you and sent my most positive thoughts your way!

Hi All:

Hope everyone is well. I went to GI doc today and was examined by his assistant (seems all docs have them nowadays). Anyway, she just asked a lot of questions, took notes, poked around at my abdomen, took blood pressure and then said that with any rectal bleeding its a good idea to do a colonoscopy. I told her that I was very scared and I'd go nuts if I had to wait weeks for an appointment so she managed to "slip me in" for this Friday.
So now I only have to wait it out for 2 days.

Well, the good news is that the prep for c'scopy is now much better than it was 5 years ago. No more drinking gallons of salty kool-aid, thank goodness. The bad news is I continue having varied amounts of bleeding after bm's and have also been feeling really lousy in general. Some of it, I'm sure, is due to nervous anxiety.

I'll post update as soon as I know something.

Annie

Yay! Whatever happens I bet you'll be fine.