Blood found in stool. Have to get colonscopy. Scared

See the GI doctor as soon as you can

It is best to follow up with the GI doctor as soon as you can get in.  There are many reasons for blood in stool as mentioned above.  If you have any polyps they can be removed during the colonoscopy. If you do have a tumor and it is caught early your treatment is easier and you have a good chance of beating the cancer.   Colon cancer is called the "Silent Killer"  because people either don't have any symptoms, or have symptoms that are attributed to other causes.  

I don't want to scare you, and am only describing my symptoms in the hopes that it may help somehow.  I overlooked symptoms just as Trubit said.  I had been on meloxicam for arthritis for about 18 months. It is known to cause gastrointestinal bleeding, so I didn't worry about having blood in my stool.  I didn't have any Gastrointestinal problems  - no diahrea or constipation and so didn't suspect colon cancer.  I went to an urgent care center the end of January 2016 due to a pain in my right side - I thought I might have a kidney infection.  The tests showed no infection, but the pain was so bad the doctor ordered an ultrasound - that test showed a polyp in  my gall bladder that she thought was causing the pain - but also showed a growth on my liver.  After seeing mulitple tumors on an MRI,  they ordered a biopsy of the larger tumor and said it was metastasized colon cancer.  After that I had the colonoscopy (March 2016).   they found 2 polyps and a small tumor.

After learning I had colon cancer and learning about more of the symptoms, I know that I overlooked more than just specks of blood.  A couple of months prior to the diagnosis, I felt bloating in my abdominal area and felt alot of pressure when I bent over.  This was in upper abdomen by my liver, but I thought it was just from gaining weight.   Also about 4-6 months prior to the diagnosis I tired more easily and would have problems breathing when I climbed stairs or vacuumed my carpets.  My doctor ordered pulmonary tests, but no MRI or Xrays for that.  They didn't have me do any activities that caused the same level of exertion so I didn't have the same difficulty breathing at the clinic during their lung function tests. Turns out my colon cancer spread to the liver and lungs. So it caused problems in both of these areas which you wouldn't think are related to a colon tumor.   

Also something that people don't talk about much - "skinny poop".  That sounds kind of weird, but if you have a tumor in the colon it can change the diamater and shape of your bowel movements.   It turned out that the blood wasn't related to my tumor,  the GI doctor said the blood I described was most likely from hemoroids which they saw during the colonoscopy.     

Probably more information than you wanted.  Just follow up with your GI doctor as soon as you can. 

Best of luck to you!      

Joan

It's better to have it

It's better to have it checked out! I had strange bowel habits and blood in stool! Luckily my doctors did not brushing it off, and I was  diagnosed with stage 1rectal cancer.

Nate's wife

Sudden narrowing, though? What if your stools were all 'normal', then after a colon infection they became narrow? Is it also a 'pencil-sized' deal? 

Fear and anxiety

Fear and anxiety

WHOA.... Pull back on the reins a bit.

Cancer is generally slow moving. It can take years for a tumor to grow large enough to present a blockage; there will usually be other signs of a "problem" - bleeding, discomfort, etc are usually the most prevalent indications of colon cancer, and can be quickly identified using a colonoscopy. But please be aware that there are many other causes for those symptoms aside from cancer, so do not allow fear to sneak in...

A diagnosis of cancer is not the end of the world. If a tumor is identified early, a resolve has a better chance. That's the reason you'll read the suggestion to get a colonoscopy ASAP if a problem exists that can not be explained easily.

I was lulled into complacency by a gastroenterologist that I trusted for years. She was like a close friend and had in-depth medical information that always made sense. She explained repeatedly (each 3 month visit) why the discharge from my "rectal stump" was normal and I was not in need for a colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. A year later and with a urinary blockage, the ER found that a tumor in the rectal stump had grown into my bladder. What would have been a simple operation to remove a small tumor became what may be the need for a "total pelvic exentoration" and probably the end of my life.

Early diagnosis can save your life. Do not fear cancer, and do not fear tests that can determine if there's reason to be concerned. The tests can save you. Insist on tests and if your physician denies you, find another physician.

Do not be as complacent as I was. Even good physicians make mistakes and errors in judgment. They can kill you easier than cure you. Try to keep that in mind.

Best wishes for best health,

John

 

Way to go....

and I mean GO. Yeah, that prep is no fun, but its over soon enough and you will be so happy to get it all out of the way. 

Good luck, and come back and let us know your results.

TRU

Woo hoo!

That deserves my special Happy Dancing Man  

I am very glad that your time amoung us on the forum was short. Go forward (with a high fiber diet) and live a long and healthy life. 

TRU

miche01 said:

Colonoscopy finished

Had colonoscopy today. Prep is definitely not fun. Colonoscopy was normal. Had a couple of hemmorroids. He said I wasn't getting enough fiber in my diet and that could have caused some blood. I have a follow up appt next week. Thank u all for the advice and prayers. I really appreciate it. My prayers are with u as well.

Miche

Happy it's a better-case

Happy it's a better-case-scenario for you. Eat lots of fruit over the holidays, and feel good about the road you didn't have to take..............................Dave