Rectal bleeding/colonoscopy - questions - Bowel Disorders Message Board

becmow · 05-15-2006, 01:09 PM

Hi All

I'm new to these boards, but already I've found so much information.

Earlier last week (Sunday) I noticed blood on the toilet tissue. I ignored it thinking it was maybe a hemorrhoid or something. I had a bm later that day and no blood. Alright, it was nothing. Then I saw blood again Monday evening after a bm, it had turned the toilet water a dark dark red. Okay, I think maybe it's more than hemorrhoids, I called the doctor the next morning. So every time I go, I see blood in the toilet water. Anywhere from 1 tsp to 2 tbsps. And it's not only when I have a bm, either. If I just sit on the potty, there's blood. And I've had no pain. None. So anyway, the dr. takes blood, and physically checks for hemorrhoids, but didn't see anything. But she said that doesn't mean I don't have internal hemorrhoids. She orders a colonoscopy for that Friday. The GI dr said that he did not see anything.

My questions - where did the blood come from then? Could they have been internal hemorrhoids, if so, can they just disappear without leaving any signs of being there?

I guess it's a good thing that they didn't see anything...? I haven't seen any blood since, though.

thanks in advance.

chigs489 · 05-16-2006, 09:29 AM

I could be from a fissure. These are sometimes hard to see, and can cause a lot of bleeding.

There are other possibilities as well, so I think you are doing the right thing by getting a scope.

mjk18 · 05-16-2006, 02:55 PM

Apparently thre are indeed a number of things that could cause bleeding, from internal hemmoroids (they apparently can heal pretty quickly), anal fissure as mentioned by the poster above to polyps (not bad but you want to get them out). Since it is bright red it is near the rectum which is likely one of the above.

The right thing to do is what you are doing by taking control of your health and getting a colonoscopy to be sure.

This is an easy proceedure, I had one done about 4 weeks ago, prep is kind of a drag but not as bad as I thought. The actual proceedure was a cakewalk as you are totally knocked out (and be prepared for the best nap of your life after you get back home), wish I could sleep like that every night!

I had some bleeding before from what was likely an anal fissure according to the doctor, though it had apparently healed by the scope time, I was a bit freaked out (especially considering my family history, but as the GI doctor said, almost everyone that comes in here has bleeding or I'd be out of a job and 99.99% are minor inconveniences). They took out 3 polyps during my proceedure which was a relief to get rid of...

What is your age?

SRMom · 05-18-2006, 11:08 AM

AVM's in the colon can cause spontaneous bleeding and then disappear so they are difficult to spot with colonoscopy. My husband has this problem, along with internal hemorrhoids and diverticuli. He was told to increase his fiber intake.

IMO...if it were fissures, you would be experiencing a lot of pain with your BM's, but fissure could account for this bleeding too.

agurl79 · 05-18-2006, 01:34 PM

Trust me, if it were a fissure, you would definately know it!! They are very very painful, and the pain can last for hours after having a bowel movement also. I've been battling one for almost a year and it definately can bring tears to your eyes... The doc says I'll need surgery to correct it.. ugh!