08-27-2019, 10:13 AM
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#1 | Member (female)
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 83
| Troubling symptoms, is it more than just hemorrhoids?
In mid July for the fist time in my 58 years I started to have rectal bleeding. I went to my doctor and he examined me and said that I have a small internal hemorrhoid. He gave me 5 suppositories and sent me for blood work which tested normal. He also referred me for a colonoscopy screening. After using the suppositories 3 times I started to have mucous mixed in with blood and really noticed that I was becoming constipated. I feel like I have to go but sometimes there's not much but it feels like I am not done. I have not had a normal bm since this whole thing started and last week I had a white-colored stool. I now feel what I'm sure is an external hemorrhoid too and I am having some periodic stomach discomfort also. There are times that I feel lethargic and run a low-grade fever. I still seem to have a good appetite most of the time. I saw the specialist last week and am scheduled for the colonoscopy the first week in September. He told me to take a stool softener and upon doing so I was up most of the night with a stomach ache and diarrhea. This makes me worry about what will happen when I take the prep laxative for the colonoscopy. I am really getting scared that something besides the hemorrhoids is going on. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.
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08-27-2019, 05:16 PM
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#2 | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 12,956
| Re: Troubling symptoms, is it more than just hemorrhoids?
Hi Tootsie..first of all, how old are you? (age group) Colon Cancer is usually found in people over 50... and it is the slowest growing cancer and 100% curable, so stop worrying. It is highly unlikely that you have it..
Hemorrhoids are exactly like you are describing- and if you were using a suppository, the mucus you thought you saw, was more than likely from the suppository, and not actual mucus. If you have an external hemorrhoid, you would be able to feel it with your finger and actually be able to push it back in.
I think most of what you are describing is nerves. This can affect your bowel movements and if your doctor wasnt overly concerned - you should not be either. As far as the bowel prep for the colonoscopy, Ive had 11 of them - I get one every other year and started at age 30 due to my father and both of his parents dying from colon cancer.. the prep will be easy AND it will clean out everything that might be causing you to be constipated. Embrace the feeling of being clean...this test can save your life if there is anything there.
Try to stop worrying. Listen to your GI doctor, do the tests he or she recommends and just get through it. Everyone is nervous about their first Colonoscopy, but there is really nothing to it. The test lasts 20 minutes! It will be over before you know it.
Let us know what they find...and I am betting they find nothing.
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08-28-2019, 11:22 AM
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#3 | Member (female)
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 83
| Re: Troubling symptoms, is it more than just hemorrhoids?
Thank you MSNik for your reply. As mentioned at the beginning of my post, I am 58. I sincerely hope that you are right about not finding anything. I know that I have nerves about this which of course can exacerbate things. I discontinued the suppositories after the third day and have continued to have mucous. Last night I did have a fairly normal movement but today things are back to what they have been for the last month. My appetite has not been too great now but I am adding fiber and more water and a more gentle laxative in hopes that those things will help. I can feel the external hemorrhoid and have been using an OTC treatment on that which has been helping. It's just this flu-like feeling that I can't seem to shake that has got me stressing the most; can't wait until this test is behind me (please excuse the pun!) Thanks again.
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09-09-2019, 11:25 AM
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#4 | Member (female)
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 83
| Re: Troubling symptoms, is it more than just hemorrhoids? Quote:
Originally Posted by MSNik Hi Tootsie..first of all, how old are you? (age group) Colon Cancer is usually found in people over 50... and it is the slowest growing cancer and 100% curable, so stop worrying. It is highly unlikely that you have it..
Hemorrhoids are exactly like you are describing- and if you were using a suppository, the mucus you thought you saw, was more than likely from the suppository, and not actual mucus. If you have an external hemorrhoid, you would be able to feel it with your finger and actually be able to push it back in.
I think most of what you are describing is nerves. This can affect your bowel movements and if your doctor wasnt overly concerned - you should not be either. As far as the bowel prep for the colonoscopy, Ive had 11 of them - I get one every other year and started at age 30 due to my father and both of his parents dying from colon cancer.. the prep will be easy AND it will clean out everything that might be causing you to be constipated. Embrace the feeling of being clean...this test can save your life if there is anything there.
Try to stop worrying. Listen to your GI doctor, do the tests he or she recommends and just get through it. Everyone is nervous about their first Colonoscopy, but there is really nothing to it. The test lasts 20 minutes! It will be over before you know it.
Let us know what they find...and I am betting they find nothing. | Had my colonoscopy last week and yes, it was pretty easy. Drinking the required 4 litres of water was the hardest part. Good news is I don't have polyps, not so good news is they found inflammation. I will get my results at the end of the month. The nurse told me it could be colitis or IBS. In the meantime I've been researching ways to handle the symptoms that I continue to have which of course includes food choices. Here's hoping I can get this under control.
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09-11-2019, 01:51 PM
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#5 | Member (female)
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 83
| Re: Troubling symptoms, is it more than just hemorrhoids?
Just thought I would post an update. My GP called me in as he got my results from the colonoscopy, so thankfully I don't have to wait until the end of the month. I have mild to moderate IBD and he mentioned Crohns. The findings were a bit unclear so he is referring me to a gastroenterologist in the city (I live in a small town, 100 miles away). He's hoping I can get into see him soon or at least the specialist can let my dr. know what medication to start me on to help relieve my symptoms. My dr. said it will probably be Salofalk. He said that he has at least 5 of his patients on this and they do very well on it; here's hoping. I am grateful that it is not cancer but unfortunately, it was something and not nothing and now my journey begins.
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11-23-2019, 12:46 PM
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#6 | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 5,311
| Re: Troubling symptoms, is it more than just hemorrhoids?
Hi...just saw this post and it's good you have a diagnosis. Where exactly is the location of your CD?
Is the Salofalk oral or rectal?
I have UC...proctosigmoiditis for over 30 years. I hope your meds have you starting to feel better. When is the appt with the GI doctor?
Hugs,
q
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