I am a 32 year old male who recently went to the doctor and GI and got a clean bill of health. I also suffer from severe depression and anxiety and have become a hypochondriac. Anything that seem a little abnormal to me is some kind of life threatening illness. I am tired of running to doctors and having them run tests to find nothing. The other day I was passing a blwoel movement. Upon the first wipe I noticed a little blood. Nothing in or on the stool and nothing in the bowl. Just upon the toilet paper. By the time I was finished, there was no blood at all. For as long as I can remember, I have had bleeding at times. Nothing severe, never darker than a normal red and it usually stops by the time I am finished cleaning. I also have burning right after the bleeding starts and throughout the day it will itch a little. I have been to the doctor many times, seen the GI twice, had a GI series, had a rectal exam and nothing. My stomach discomfort was caused by stress. I am thinking that the bleeding could be coming from a hemmoroid or from using one-ply toilet paper. I really do not want to make a mountain out of a mole hill and visit the doctor, only to have him put me thru the stress of more tests to find absolutely nothing. My therapist tells me to try and convince myself of my hypochondriatic condition and find out the real reason why I worry. The past weekend I have put myself thru hell, thinking the worst. I really do not want to run back to the doctor as he gets a little annoyed because I go to him for silly reasons. Could this be just a hemmoroid? Should I worry over a little blood? It doesn't even bleed everytime I go. Just occasionally and most of the time towards the end of my cleaning it will bleed. Anyone else experience this? Please tell me I am overreacting. I need a little bit of a reality check. I know no one on here is a doctor, but I trust people's opinions and advice. I hope someone tells me to just let it go, that I do not have cancer and to start living my life. Thanks for reading and hopefully responding.
I think you may be over-reacting. Sure sounds like hemmorrhoids, particularly as you mention some burning and itching. Are you normally somewhat constipated...do you "force" your bm's?
That said, most of us would worry if we saw blood after a movement. Some worry is a good thing....better than ignoring the little "red flags" (sorry, no pun intended). You sound like you're on top of things having seen a doctor.
I've learned the hard way not to worry about things that can be "fixed."
Try adding more fiber to your diet and do try and relax......
I have to agree with libloom. It does sound like you have a hemmorhoid. I know the first time I saw blood on the toilet tissue I was scared out of my mind and was ready to go to the doctor. Then I did a little research and saw that what I had was a hemmorhoid. Like libloom said add fiber to your diet. To help with the itching and burning try getting medicated wipes like Tucks. They help.
I thank the both of you for responding. I really am having a tough time with my depression. I know that if there was blood in my stool or blood right after the movement I would be in trouble. The blood comes after the first few wipes, not to sound gross. I know I am overreacting, in fact I was thinking of going to the doctor this weekend. Then I thought that all he is going to do is send me for a colonoscopy or something of the sort and then I'll be worried about the results of those tests. I saw a GI a few weeks ago and he said I wouldn't need any unneccesary tests. Stress was messing my stomach up big time. At the time I saw him, I had the bleeding at times but it wasn't anything to worry over. Just seems that once I get in a peaceful state of mind , I find something to worry about and this is it. I had the bleeding 10 years ago when I saw the GI and had a GI series done. It is hard for me just to accept certain things. I know it is probably a hemmoroid as it burns as I wipe, does itch and bleeds after a few wipes. I really do not want to run to the doctor as he is the type to always refer me to a specialist. I don't like that, causes me more worry. Question though, has either of you experienced this? A little blood here and there? I am trying not to make a mountain out of a mole hill, just looking to see if I am not alone. Thanks for the advice and opinions, much appreciated.
Yep.....have experienced blood here and there. In fact, I ran to a doctor in my early 30's, who did a sigmoidoscopy....and found hemmorrhoids!
I'm in my 60's now and have had REAL problems....diverticulitis and a recent colon-resection.....but have always been on top of things and have been able to be fixed.
Save your energy to worry about the things that cannot be......
I also understand depression and how worry exacerbates it...and vice versa. Hard to find a happy medium.
Linda, I thank you a lot for your responses. It is extremely difficult to sit still and be patient. I always think the worst. I have a duaghter who turned 8 today and it breaks my heart to think that I may be sick.
That is exactly what I have, a little blood here and there. I would see the doctor but he only makes it worse. Sends you for every test under the sun and I hate tests and the waiting. I was just to the doctor's mid-August and blood work was fine. Had a sonogram and that turned out fine and saw the GI and had a digital rectal exam and all was fine. I never mentioned the slight bleeding, but if there was a problem don't you think he would have said something instead of giving me a clean bill of health?
That's it what I try to concentrate on. I try to envision the specialist telling me that all was fine. He couldn't feel anything abnormal and that I was OK.
Your responses are reassuring and will help. I hope they keep on coming lol, they will do me good.
Kevin, I am wondering if you are cleaning too vigorously? You might try Cottonelle or unscented/unchemical baby-wipes to see if that helps, and don't rub too hard or too long. Or clean with a hand-held shower spray. You could have a fissure, which is a small tear in the anal opening, nothing to worry about, but to let heal naturally. Your MDs digital rectal exam would not have found a fissure, only a complete visual exam would.
I have had hemmorhoids for many years, and one of my hemmorhoids kept dropping into the anal opening and caused itching and some pain, with minor bleeding. From my experience, unless the doctors find it necessary, don't have a hemmorhoidectomy, as that could cause scarring problems several years later.
Try not to worry - I know it's hard. If you had something major, your doctors would have discovered it, as they like to "fix" things!
Mary I thank you for the response. Just the sight of blood makes me depressed and scared. It has been happening for 15 to 20 years. And yes I do sometimes wipe vigorously. I bled before seeing the specialist and the same day in fact and he said nothing. I need to let it go and change my routine and habits a bit. With my depression I have become a hypochondriac and it doesn't bode well sometimes. I just need to let it go and live my life. Tell myself it's nothing life threatening and move on. Thanks for the response and concern, each day is getting a little bit better for me.
