TMI worry

mkarns · November 2012

I can't believe im writing this on a public forum, but I need to know if this is normal. FWIW my Mom died of colon cancer 9 years ago, so I'm not paranoid for no reason.
I've had bleeding during BM for about 5 years. I went to the doctor when I was 23 and she sent me to a GI doctor who told me to eat more fiber and blew me off. I felt silly and paranoid. When I get pg I got pretty bad hemorrhoids that haven't gone away. More bleeding ensues.
IDK what to do. Should I go to a different doctor? Maybe I've just had hemorrhoids the whole time. To be honest before the pg hemorrhoids I was scared to death that they were going to tell me I have cancer, so when I actually had something to blame during pregnancy it was comforting. However, 9 months later I still have bright red blood...A LOT of it.
Sorry for the rambling and the nastiness of this post. I don't want to tell MH and I don't have anyone IRL that I'm comfortable talking to about it my sister is WAY emotional and my dad is NOT going to hear about my butt problem.
What should I do? Do any of you have bleeding during BM? Am I just hypersensitive because Ive been exposed to the worst of it?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

naturegal79 · November 2012

I think it could be just hemroids but I would say to get another opinion that way you know for certain and it will give you piece of mind. Colitis runs in my family too and I get paranoid as well so I know how you are feeling!

msumjll · November 2012

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Scary! I guess if I was you I would go to the Doctor again, maybe a new one this time?? It sounds like it is still probably hemorrhoids.

I have heard that people who have wheat sensitivities can bleeding in their intestines as well....but I have no idea on the validity of that! I don't blame you for being paranoid either! Good Luck!

Traci09 · November 2012

Do you have pain? It's probably hemorrhoids, but if you're having regular bleeding, they may be bad enough to require surgery. I'd recommend making an appointment with your GP and reviewing the situation with them. Don't worry - they've heard it all, and this won't even phase them.

ETA...if your regular doctor acts like this is no big deal, get another opinion. It is a big deal.

MollySm · November 2012

I'm sorry for your loss. My parents passed away, and I know how much fear that has brought into my life. It sucks that this has to add to it.

I would get a second opinion. It just seems better to double check, rather than to live with the worry. Did you talk to the last doctor about the concerns because of your mom?

mkarns · November 2012

Traci09:
Do you have pain?nbsp; It's probably hemorrhoids, but if you're having regular bleeding, they may be bad enough to require surgery.nbsp; I'd recommend making an appointment with your GP and reviewing the situation with them.nbsp; Don't worry they've heard it all, and this won't even phase them.nbsp; ETA...if your regular doctor acts like this is no big deal, get another opinion.nbsp; It is a big deal.

No pain. Just lots of blood.

mkarns · November 2012

MollySm:
I'm sorry for your loss. nbsp;My parents passed away, and I know how much fear that has brought into my life. nbsp;It sucks that this has to add to it. nbsp;I would get a second opinion. nbsp;It just seems better to double check, rather than to live with the worry. nbsp;Did you talk to the last doctor about the concerns because of your mom? nbsp;

I did. I got conflicting reactions. My PCP was very concerned, the GI doctor didn't even give me a second glance. I'm supposed to start getting colonoscopies at 30. Im 28 now...IDK. I'm looking for a new PCP now. I guess I'll start there, from scratch.

Bella61811 · November 2012

Do you bleed every time that you have a BM or just occasionally? I would still probably get a second opinion just to make sure since you have a family history, but if it's occasionally it's most likely the hemmies. I got bad ones when I gave birth to Audra, not during the pregnancy. I guess I was a good pusher, LoL. Anyway, I still have them and occasionally I have bright red blood when I have a BM and I know that's what it's from.

jmccall79 · November 2012

Considering your family history, I think you have every right to be paranoid. However, I think it could probably still be hemorrhoids. I thought once you have them, they don't really go away. They may not always flare up, but they'll always be there. If it's really bad bleeding, even when you're not having a bm, then I would go see a doctor. My exSO uncle had to have surgery on his because the bleeding never stopped and he got really sick and had to have a blood transfusion. I'm not telling you all that to scare you or anything...just to say that it can get really bad. However, if you're just having bleeding during a bm, I'd say you don't have anything to fret over. Try some hemorrhoid meds, if you haven't already. If it doesn't help, I'd say talk to you dr and see what they say.

n8swife · November 2012

I would get a second opinion. It wouldn't hurt and might put your mind at ease.

I have Ulcerative Colitis and I constantly Google the symptoms of colon cancer because I am paranoid to the max about it. Your bleeding could be from the hemorrhoids if it's bright red but I'd get checked out for sure to make sure there is nothing else going on.

ETA: Also wanted to add..my Dr told me that bright red blood was a good sign as far as blood goes with a BM. It means it's coming from an area closer to the surface so it's probably hemorrhoid related. Dark colored blood is more likely a sign of other issues. I would for sure get checked out though given your family history.

sooner1981 · November 2012

Please, please keep going to doctors until you find one that will take you seriously. My grandfather died of colon cancer about 6 years ago. Last year, my 29-year old cousin bled off and on for about 10-11 months. She didn't have health insurance, so she didn't get it checked out, and kept going to school/working without really noticing tons of other symptoms. She passed out one day, went to the hospital, they did a colonoscopy and she had Stage 3B colon cancer that had spread to all her reproductive organs. She has had chemo/radiation/surgeries, and now they think maybe (hopefully) they have gotten rid of most of it--although they had to take out her ovaries, uterus, entire large intestine, vaginal walls, etc.

I don't say this to scare you--because I fully expect my cousin to live and long and healthy life from now forward. But I do say that you need a doctor who won't dismiss your concerns. Bleeding should ALWAYS be investigated!!!! (But I second what a PP said about bright red bleeding ususally not being as scary as dark red/black blood).

The cool thing about telling all your most TMI stuff to doctors is that they have LITERALLY heard it all and more. You simply cannot say anything to your doctor that will gross them out. So, please, tell your husband that you are going for a checkup and get an appointment now rather than later.

You owe it to your LO to take amazing care of yourself--because they won't understand if you let your own health slip and you aren't there to raise them up and love on them for the next 80 years!!

MollySm · November 2012

I talked to my sister, a GP, and I'll tell you what she said, though she obviosly has not seen you and doesn't have your full history, so this is not in place of actually getting a second opinion.

I read jer what you said, and she said immediately, she's probably had hemorroids the whole time. She said you should take more fiber. Sghe said bleeding isn't a sign of colon cancer that they look for, that they look for weight loss and black stools. She said with your history they would start colonoscopies early, but probably not in your 20s.

She said even so, she knows several doctors who would do colonoscopies now, just to reassure you. She said she would go back to the doctor, because they might do more for your hemorroids, and because it couldn't hurt to get a colonoscopy for reassurance that all is well.

Lawren · November 2012

mkarns:
MollySm:
I'm sorry for your loss. nbsp;My parents passed away, and I know how much fear that has brought into my life. nbsp;It sucks that this has to add to it. nbsp;I would get a second opinion. nbsp;It just seems better to double check, rather than to live with the worry. nbsp;Did you talk to the last doctor about the concerns because of your mom? nbsp;
I did. I got conflicting reactions. My PCP was very concerned, the GI doctor didn't even give me a second glance. I'm supposed to start getting colonoscopies at 30. Im 28 now...IDK. I'm looking for a new PCP now. I guess I'll start there, from scratch.

9 times out of 10, specialists are strange, very strange. I work for one. Definitely get a second opinion!

allisons1014 · November 2012

I am so sorry that you are going through this! I can only imagine how stressful it is.

Ok, I'll give you some TMI right back - that I have only shared with DH. I had some hemorrhoid issues before getting pregnant when I was eating a very low carb diet. (Not enough fiber). So then I got pregnant, ate whatever I wanted and stopped having the issues. I was so paranoid while pregant that they were going to come back.

Then about 2 weeks post delivery they came back. I was kind of surprised because I ended up having a c/s and never even did any of the pushing. Needless to say I have been having issues with them on and off for the past 9 months. They are internal and so uncomfortable at times and I've had bleeding periodically when they flare up. They never seem to fully go away.

If I were you I would certainly go to another GI doc or go to the doctor that your mom saw. You could probably contact her oncologist and find out who did her referral. Going to someone more familiar with your family history may make you feel more comfortable and hopefully they will have a better "bedside manner" than the previous physician you saw.

Also, don't be afraid to tell your DH. He would want to know if you were worried about something and he would understand. It would probably feel so much better to have him know what was going on.

mkarns · November 2012

Thanks so much guys. I hate going back and forth about whether I'm Brian paranoid or too carefree. I scheduled a physical for next week and I will tell her about my history and current issues. I'll let you know how it goes. Xoxo

karleegirl · November 2012

Mkarns I've been an oncology RN 10 years.. Please don't ignore this find another GI doc and have a colonoscopy now.

sooner1981 · November 2012

mkarns:
Thanks so much guys. I hate going back and forth about whether I'm Brian paranoid or too carefree. I scheduled a physical for next week and I will tell her about my history and current issues. I'll let you know how it goes. Xoxo

Just FYI--I really think you need to see a GI doc who understands your family history and the exact symptoms you have been experiencing (and their duration). A doctor conducting a physical exam may not take things as seriously or adopt a "watch and wait" attitude, since you are not there to address your specific concerns with them at that appointment.

I promise it is not being paranoid to get this fully checked out very soon by a GI doc. who understands your family history. If you get an appointment by the end of the year, the co-payment should be covered since you likely maxed out your out of pocket with having the baby earlier this year--right?

mkarns · November 2012

sooner1981:

mkarns:
Thanks so much guys. I hate going back and forth about whether I'm Brian paranoid or too carefree. I scheduled a physical for next week and I will tell her about my history and current issues. I'll let you know how it goes. Xoxo

Just FYI--I really think you need to see a GI doc who understands your family history and the exact symptoms you have been experiencing (and their duration). A doctor conducting a physical exam may not take things as seriously or adopt a "watch and wait" attitude, since you are not there to address your specific concerns with them at that appointment.

I promise it is not being paranoid to get this fully checked out very soon by a GI doc. who understands your family history. If you get an appointment by the end of the year, the co-payment should be covered since you likely maxed out your out of pocket with having the baby earlier this year--right?

Ah. I had co-pay all year, but for 2013 my company did away with it and I'm going to low-deductible. However, I do intend to get pregnant (I should say HOPE to...) so I'll max OOP anyway, more than likely. Now or later, doesn't matter. I'm visiting a new PCP and I'll be honest with her, and I do think I am going to get a colonoscopy this year...I'll be turning 29. 1 year earlier than recommended is no big deal for peace of mind.

SnowCedar · November 2012

mkarns:
Thanks so much guys. I hate going back and forth about whether I'm Brian paranoid or too carefree. I scheduled a physical for next week and I will tell her about my history and current issues. I'll let you know how it goes. Xoxo

Good! You absolutely aren't paranoid. I have a family history with GI issues and had had occasional bleeding myself a few years ago. My doctor had me get a colonoscopy and it was such a relief doing that just to be sure we weren't missing something serious.

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