My husband has an appointment with the GI specialist on Thursday, but I am not sure what they will do yet - I think it is just an initial consultation. He has had problems with rectal bleeding all of his life and had a battery of tests done as a teen that turned up nothing. Last weekend he started bleeding and it had some mucous, and the Dr. at urgent care looked and saw that he had hemorroids. The blood is bright red and occurs after a bowel movement. We went for a follow up and this Dr. also saw the hemorroids but wanted him to get a closer check up and we managed to get into the specialist within a week which is a blessing . I am trying not to panic...if he had cancer and he has had this since he was a child wouldn't he have other symptoms by now? He really has not experienced anything other than the hemorroidal symptoms and constipation - he spends a long time trying to go to the bathroom which probably irritates everything more. He never really worried about it since he has always lived with this but I am panicking now. Any ideas, suggestions, questions? Thanks
I understand how you feel, but please do not panic, what you need to do is conduct a stool test or get a colonoscopy, that will tell you the truth. Also just for INFO, drink some prune juice will resolve his constipation prob.
I am praying for you. Please keep us updated.
My dad was diagnoised with stage III rectal cancer last Oct and he is cancer free now.. and our family are stronger... So there are always hope..
While meeting with the GI doc, please schedule a colonoscopy for your husband. This views the entire colon, and will give you a peace of mind. For the constipation, your husband should try eating more fruits, vegetables, along with foods with fiber. With this, he needs to drink an adequate amount of water. At the same time, he may need to take Colace (which is a stool softener) this way he won't irritate the hemroids as much.
While meeting with the GI doc, please schedule a colonoscopy for your husband. This views the entire colon, and will give you a peace of mind. For the constipation, your husband should try eating more fruits, vegetables, along with foods with fiber. With this, he needs to drink an adequate amount of water. At the same time, he may need to take Colace (which is a stool softener) this way he won't irritate the hemroids as much.
Good luck, and keep us updated
July
Thanks so much for your support. I love this board, everyone is so supportive, helpful, and open. I will let everyone know what happens and will definitely schedule a colonoscopy. For a little more information, his stools look normal and he has been doing better since he is eating more fiber, but he has to take a bath every time he goes to the bathroom becuase he can't close back up, what do you think might cause that? He is taking suppositories and baths for hemmoroids which also seems to help, but again I am scared it might be more.
There is no "stool test" that can be done. The only thing they would do is check for occult (hidden) blood, which you know he has anyway. The ONLY way to go is a COLONOSCOPY. Which is a piece of cake to do. Don't fret about that. Look back at some of our posts to see other's and my experience.
CancerDad,
I was referring to you comparing a colonoscopy to a "piece of cake". Considering the part of the body in which the colonoscopy takes place, I do not want another piece of cake.
. I am trying not to panic...if he had cancer and he has had this since he was a child wouldn't he have other symptoms by now? He really has not experienced anything other than the hemorroidal symptoms and constipation - he spends a long time trying to go to the bathroom which probably irritates everything more. He never really worried about it since he has always lived with this but I am panicking now. Any ideas, suggestions, questions? Thanks
