Blood in stool - Too Late?

[WiltonK]

4 years ago, due to a swollen colon found in CT scan - I had a colonoscopy.

GI said (1) benign polyp, and that I was fine. "see you in 10 years" for next colonoscopy.

Today
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Blood in stool, off and on for few months.

The last 7 days - blood in stool all the time - and mostly diareah-ish stool all the time. Very slight pain in lower right side of tummy.

Seeing a GI this week - and i'm sure we will do colonoscopy soon.

QUESTION
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Does blood in stool mean I'm too late, I didn't catch it, and now it's Colon Cancer?

Also, does Colon Cancer mean - death, done deal?

Thanks

[ANDRETEXAS]

I am not an expert, but blood in the stool is not a death sentence. If the blood is bright red, it could be a hemorrhoid or something else. If there is a polyp further up, any blood associated with it would be difficult to see generally as it is already dried and would not be bright red. There are so many factors involved. But you are wise to get this checked out ASAP, so that you can find out if further action is necessary. Stay calm and don't jump to conclusions just yet. I know it's difficult.

[Guinevere]

I concur with Andre and will add that if it is colon cancer, it's not automatically a death sentence. Take some time and read some of threads here that are celebrating 5 years with No Evidence of Disease or as we term it - NED. Those of us who are over 2, 3, 4+ years that are still battling the beast or they've run out of treatment options but we're still living the best life we can. Get the colonoscopy. I pray it's a bleeding hemorrhoid and quickly and easily take care of and you can walk off into the sunset. However, if it's something more, stay away from Dr. Google and remember that it's not how it used to be and there are things to fight the beast with. Please let use know how the test comes out.

God bless ~
Guinevere

[NZJay]

I sincerely hope that the cause is much less serious than cancer.

But be assured that if it is colon cancer, it is absolutely not a certain death sentence. Mine was advanced Stage 3 and at my latest oncology meeting they gave me a "more likely cured than not" prognosis. So I definitely do not interpret that as a death sentence!

Best wishes.

[WiltonK]

Thank you all for the replies.

Funny, sometimes on the street strangers don't even say hi to one another, yet here behind a screen - we can feel some kinship.

I gave up on "elite" GI at the best hospitals - because I don't want to wait 60 days for colonoscopy.

So I've got an appointment at local GI who has SOME positive online reviews - but is not affiliated with an elite GI hospital.

My thought is to consult with him and get the colonoscopy DONE asap. Then, if there is cancer - at that point perhaps transfer to more Elite GI and more elite gi Hospital.

By elite I mean "nationally ranked in GI" by US News or something like that.

What do you all think of this course of action? Thanks

[NZJay]

My personal opinion. I think you've answered your own question . You want to know asap what is going on, and waiting 60 days seems too long. So go with your instinct and get checked out asap.

Regards

[peanut_8]

It seems to me that you're on the right track. Get the colonoscopy ASAP. You can always switch doctors at a later date. Many of us have switched oncologists for one reason or another.

[PGLGreg]

Your symptoms sound similar to mine, 8+ years ago -- blood and some loose stools. You might not have cancer, but of course I did (why else would I be posting here?). After my surgery and other standard treatments, there has been no further sign of the cancer.

I don't think you need to plot to get top notch specialists at an elite cancer center, at this point, though I suppose it couldn't hurt. Certainly, I didn't. Some cancer is routine, like mine, and ordinary doctors can treat it successfully at ordinary hospitals. We have a great medical system.

[Valorie]

Tale of two outcomes. I had blood streaking my stool. Had colonoscopy and ended up with stage 2a cancer. My husband had blood in his stool, just had a colonoscopy last week and had polyps. That was it. You are doing the right thing by getting your colonoscopy ASAP. Worrying and conjuring things in your mind is probably worse than the actual outcome. I wish you good luck. Should your outcome turn out like mine, it sounds like you have a good plan in place for treatment. Keep us informed.

[CRguy]

QUESTION : Does blood in stool mean I'm too late, I didn't catch it, and now it's Colon Cancer?

Wait for the colonoscopy and lab report. Blood does NOT necessarily = CRC ..... it may OR may not. Getting the c-scope is a very smart move !

Also, does Colon Cancer mean - death, done deal?

I am a Stage IVa SEVEN year survivor here .. lotsa chemo, radiation, surgery, yada yada yada .....

Still not dead ....... so you answer your own question .......

Next Question ...... ?

[mstults]

If it is malignant you don't need a gi after that, except for follow ups for later. If it is malignant and resectable the gi will refer you to a surgeon. You can pick the surgeon. If he doesn't consider it resectable he will refer you to an oncologist which you can pick as well.

[WiltonK]

Again thank you everyone for replies, please lee them coming.

Update
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My General Doctor says to come see him first. He says that SOMETIMES, blood in stool could be an infection.

He says YES, absolutely get a colonoscopy - but he said that even a GI will want to insure that there isn't infection present - because if there's infection, it increases risk of perforated colon during colonoscopy.

How does that sound?

Thanks

[jean60]

Again thank you everyone for replies, please lee them coming.

Update
********

My General Doctor says to come see him first. He says that SOMETIMES, blood in stool could be an infection.

He says YES, absolutely get a colonoscopy - but he said that even a GI will want to insure that there isn't infection present - because if there's infection, it increases risk of perforated colon during colonoscopy.

How does that sound?

Thanks

I am certainly not a doctor, but this was my experience. I had been having some bowel changes, in appearance and in habits when I started to see blood. When my doctor wanted to get me in for a scope, I asked if we shouldn't do a stool test first as he mentioned infection as a possibility. His answer was that we needed the scope to determine if there was infection. And certainly nothing was said about increased risk of perforation.

I just wanted to share that, but there is always the possibility that my now-not-so-reliable memory is messing with me so I hope someone will set me straight if this sounds 'off'

Jean

[WiltonK]

Ok....

Local GI
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My 2011 Colonoscopy was not even a polyp - it was a "pseudo polyp" so this GI sort of understood why my 2011 GI didn't advise sooner colonoscopy.

*Did Sigmoidoscopy yesterday.

*GI said "no, it's not cancer"

*GI said that it's Colitis - very possibly Crohn's or Ulcerative. He said my colon looked like "someone rubbed it with sandpaper" - hence this situation has been developing over time.

NEXT STEP -with local GI
*******************************

*Stool test - he wants to see that BEFORE I tough antibiotics.

*Blood test - some potential meds require health kidneys. I've had "protein in urine" - which is telltale sign of bad kidney BUT blood creatinine level was normal 9 months ago - so 2 doctors said it is related to my high blood pressure. BUT GI wants new tests because he doesn't want me on meds that will screw with kidneys.

*Antibiotic/Med - I THINK it's an antibiotic but once my stool test is done, he has prescribed an "enema" to be taken at night before sleeping, with hopes he said that I can "hold it down".

I'd welcome any comments! Thanks.

[orcasres]

My husband has had Ulcerative Colitis since the early 70's. People with UC and Crohn's are more susceptible to colon cancer; they are actually different diseases. Bev commented on it a while back but Crohn's I believe is an autoimmune disease, UC is usually not.

When he was first diagnosed back then he was told that he would probably not have a colon within 10 years but he has never had surgery and for the first time two years ago he was told he was in remission. He has colonoscopies religiously every two years, and he is currently using a medicine called Lialda to control his symptoms. Four horse pills every day and a lot of flare ups as diet needs change. But he has managed it quite well over the years.