I am a 38yo female. IBS with constipation since my teens.
Around beginning of January I started bleeding during BM. Somedays it was hardly none, somedays alot. I have been upping my fiber and water and taking stool softners which give me a regular BM every other morning. I havent had any changes or looks of the BM other than some red streaks on the side when it passes. I feel like I am getting better for a day until the next BM. It actually feels like I am tearing when I go. There is a sharp pain then blood then a ache that lasts a few hours.The "tear" is very close to the outside of the anus.
I finally made an appt with my gastro and it is tomorrow morning. I am scared to death to go to the appt. I am so embarrassed and just plain dont want to do it. What can I expect for this first visit?

I dont know what to expect at the visit, but it could simply be hemorroids. I have them(along with IBS and constipation) and I have the red streaks,, tearing, quite often. My gyno said that is normal it is the hemorroids being irritated. Good luck at your visit and let us know how it goes!!!!!

Hi Molly,

Sorry to hear about your gastro problems. Dont worry about being embarrassed of your symptoms. The GI docs deal with this every day in their practice.
Having pain in the anal region with bright red blood and steaking is often hemorroids. I have had those same symptoms...I have had an unbelievable amount of blood which can be the scariest thing in the world...I had the scope done to find out that hemorroids were causing it all. Hemorroids are also more common in women who have had children too.

Statistically speaking most likely that is what it will be BUT as you know your GI doc most likely will order a sigmoid scope or a colonoscopy to rule out anything major like colitis or a cancerous polyp or any other diseases of the colon/intestines.

If for any reason the doctor doesnt want to do any scope I actually would insist on it for peace of mind, because that way you will get a definitive answer. I had lots bleeding back in 2000 and the doctor thought it was my colitis that was causing it and he just wanted to give me medication.... but I insisted we do a scope and sure enough I had no colitis present..only hemorroids.. but he just happened to find very small polyps that were tested to be adenomas. Having that scope done back in 2000 was really a lifesaver. Now I do reapeat colonscopies whenever warranted.

Good luck with everything,
Mike

I went to the dr and he thinks it was anal fissure. He didnt check me but asked alot of questions. I was kind of dissappointed in the not checking part but I was excited at the "only fissure" part. KWIM? so I didnt press the issue. He gave me some samples of a lidocaine/hydrocortisone cream. The problem seemed to get a little better but never completely went away. He did schedule a followup for May. I now feel a lump. I know it isnt a hemmorroid. It is like a pea size lump under the skin at the anal opening. I cant really explain it. I am very scared because my gut is telling me it is anal cancer but I am so afraid/embarrased to do anything about it. It cant be anything else. The symptoms are classic. There is no other explanation.

This doctor is the best in this area. He is very good and I really like him. I cant believe I am going through this. I am only 39.

Please go back and demand that the doctor do a digital examination. There is absolutely no excuse for him/her not to have done one. I had similar symptoms and it took four months to get my rectal cancer diagnosed because nobody expects to find cancer in a young patient. It was easy to find, all they had to do was check. I was also diagnosed with fissures among other things. Hopefully that's all it is. But please go back and be sure.

Better yet, find another doctor. I would suggest going to a colon and rectal surgeon. They can usually get you in quickly and they won't be afraid to check what's really going on.

Good luck!