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new symptoms....advise please

fighting for mom
fighting for mom CSN Member Posts: 96
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well- mom is 4 year crc survivor. She had resection with 1 foot of colon removed followed by chemotherapy. She still battles with fatigue and neuropathy.

Now I have had irregular bowel pattern and bright red blood in my stool. It has only happened a few times this week. Went to GP today and he says most likely a fissure or internal hemorrhoid. I talked about mom's history and making sure of his recommendations. I don't want to mess around with anything. So- he said if any more blood in stool then he will have me do colonoscopy--a watch and wait approach.

What are your opinions? He said d/t bright red blood it must ne in last 8-10 inches of colon. FYI- My mom's resection was by sigmoid.

I was surprised he didn't send me for colonoscopy....

Thanks....Susan
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Comments

  • coloCan
    coloCan CSN Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #2
    Don't take chances, esp if you've never had a colonoscopy
    Don't ignore the blood-get a definitive explanation!!!!!!steve
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  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties CSN Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #3
    Dear Susan
    Given your Mom's history, don't wait. Call your doctor and tell him you want a colonoscopy soonest.

    Best case, he determines the cause froma fistula or hemroid and treats accordingly. Worst case, it is something more serious and you get a jump start on dealing with it.

    Best wishes for best case outcome.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
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  • Patteee
    Patteee CSN Member Posts: 945
    #4
    If it were my child telling
    If it were my child telling me this, I would have them call back and first politely request a colonoscopy. Then demand one and hey, if need be lie about the blood. My son, who is now 26, just went in for a physical over a year ago- complained about vague stomach and eating issues. After hearing about family history of polyps and my dx of cc at age 50- he sent him for an upper scope and a colonoscopy. Turns out he has a hylaytil hernia- colon totally clear. Gave us all a peace of mind- but also made me realize there was no way this doctor was not going to take anything lightly. As far as I am concerned, you have a first degree relative with a cc dx- that in itself should get you in for a colonoscopy- with your symptoms, it definitely should.
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  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 CSN Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
    Go!
    Get the colonoscopy! The blood I experienced was bright red.

    *hugs*
    Gail
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  • lauragb
    lauragb CSN Member Posts: 370 Member
    #6
    Hi Susan,
    I say insist on a
    Hi Susan,
    I say insist on a colonoscopy. Too many of us had symptoms that were attributed to hemorrhoids. Hopefully, it is nothing serious. And if it is nothing serious, you are still not a hypochondriac for having it checked. We have to be advocates for ourselves and families.
    Here's to a good outcome for you.
    Laura
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  • fighting for mom
    fighting for mom CSN Member Posts: 96
    #7
    tootsie1 said:

    Go!
    Get the colonoscopy! The blood I experienced was bright red.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    thanks!
    Thanks for confirming my gut instinct- that I need a colonoscopy. I will call back and hopefully not have trouble with the Dr. ordering it. I have had a colonoscopy 9 years ago d/t pain and they ruled it as adhesions from c-section. At recent check up we had discussed when I needed scope and he said in 3 more years for routine d/t mom's dx.

    Thanks for reassuring me of what needs to happen!

    Susan
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  • Nana b
    Nana b CSN Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #8
    lauragb said:

    Hi Susan,
    I say insist on a
    Hi Susan,
    I say insist on a colonoscopy. Too many of us had symptoms that were attributed to hemorrhoids. Hopefully, it is nothing serious. And if it is nothing serious, you are still not a hypochondriac for having it checked. We have to be advocates for ourselves and families.
    Here's to a good outcome for you.
    Laura

    Catch it early! I'm
    Catch it early! I'm surprised too. Get it checked out. Better safe than sorry.
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  • herdizziness
    herdizziness CSN Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #9
    Susan
    My first symptom was ONE TIME, I was walking and felt liquid and discovered my arse had leaked blood, (bright red) it was the only time, and wasn't very much, I was scared, but assured myself it must have been a hemorrhoid that I was unaware of, one year later, I discover I was Stage IV colon cancer, I should have had a colonoscopy ASAP after the blood incident, I regret that to this very day.
    GET A COLONOSCOPY and at least put any fear to rest, okay? It could be absolutely nothing more then what your doc said, but...why take the chance?????
    Winter Marie
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  • plh4gail
    plh4gail CSN Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #10
    I agree you need to get
    I agree you need to get checked. I had red blood and was also told internal hemorrhoid. A year later they found a turmor.

    Gail
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  • bonitoweiy282
    bonitoweiy282 CSN Member Posts: 8
    #11
    plh4gail said:

    I agree you need to get
    I agree you need to get checked. I had red blood and was also told internal hemorrhoid. A year later they found a turmor.

    Gail

    Maybe you are right.
    I agree he needs to be checked again. Blood abnormal does not mean everything. - what causes high blood pressure | low blood pressure treatment
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  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. CSN Member Posts: 502 Member
    #12
    bonitoweiy282 said:

    Maybe you are right.
    I agree he needs to be checked again. Blood abnormal does not mean everything. - what causes high blood pressure | low blood pressure treatment

    X2, penciling and blood were
    X2, penciling and blood were my symtoms to. Put it off to long, was 3a dx in rectum & 6 nodes positive. Now mets to lungs.
    Hope you get best answers.
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  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk CSN Member Posts: 685
    #13
    Wish I had
    Susan, I agree with everyone else. When I first had blood in the stool it was bright red and not in the stool itself so I wasn't all that concerned. I didn't have insurance at the time, so I didn't go see a doctor. I was having a lot of lower GI problems for well over a year when I finally got insurance and my doctor got me into to see a specialist and a colonoscopy. When I came out of the procedure and he told me there was a tumor I told him that I had expected something, but not that. It was Stage IV, mets to right lung and liver. I will always regret not getting checked sooner and I'm not one to have many regrets.

    God Bless and I pray for the best for you

    Ray
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  • rlridings
    rlridings CSN Member Posts: 42
    #14
    dont delay
    no way you should wait - insist on the colonoscopy and tell your doc that considering the history you are shocked that he hasnt already got you scheduled
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  • pepebcn
    pepebcn CSN Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #15
    rlridings said:

    dont delay
    no way you should wait - insist on the colonoscopy and tell your doc that considering the history you are shocked that he hasnt already got you scheduled

    Probably is nothing but due to your family history get
    a colonoscopy as soon you can.
    hope everything goes well.Hugs.
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