The Colon Club

Hey there,

I suffer from health anxiety, so I'm actually getting a bit panicky right now due to symptoms. I've had various bowel related symptoms for 5 years now, and I've been told it's likely IBS, but just last January had a flexible sigmoidoscopy to rule anything out as I was worried. The results came back normal other than hemmorhoids and the gastro didn't seem concerned after that, so I put it out of my mind. Lately tho, my anxiety has been going out of control because today when I passed stool there was some reddish maroon colored mucus mixed in with it. I am however on a period, could it just be that? Considering I was passing a lot of gas when I tried to go (i only went a small amount). Other than that I don't feel like my hemmorhoids are particularly inflamed right now, but who knows?

Is it likely to be anything worse tho? I'm constantly looking at google and getting terrified, I'm also in the midst of moving house right now and won't be able to go to a gastro until way after April as I also have a holiday out of the country booked.

Is it likely to just be period blood that got mixed up? Or a hemmorhoid being irritated? Is the sigmoidoscopy being normal a good sign????

You need to talk to a doctor, not an online forum. Nobody here is qualified to diagnose anything. The only way to definitively rule out colon cancer is with a colonoscopy. If your sigmoidoscopy came up clear, then you've probably ruled out rectal cancer. But a routine colonoscopy will determine the status of both.

I would want a colonoscopy to check. I don't understand why doctors even order sigmoidoscopies...

My daughter has had bowel related problems also, but no blood in the stool. We went to a GI who just prescribed laxatives. GIs do not do a lot of colonoscopies, and I was disappointed this was his first step. She had a lot of anxiety and many complaints about nausea. She's only 19.

I took her to my colorectal surgeon, and he did a full colonoscopy. It was a HUGE relief. Now, neither of us are that worried about her symptoms. She has some kind of IBS type colon spasms which cause pain and stops things from moving. Fiber, probiotics, and stool,softeners make her feel much better. But stress and anxiety can cause bowel problems!! I suggest you go to a colorectal surgeon. They do a lot of colonoscopies so are more likely to prescribe one. You may want to talk to a doctor about getting some Ativan or something for your anxiety, also.

I would get the doctor to order a colonoscopy because it checks the entire colon not just the lower portion. I hope you get answers soon!*hugs* Thanks CRguy!

I agree, a full colonoscopy would be required to check out the entire large intestine right into the cecum/appendix area

Cheers
CRguy

Yep. I agree. Get a colonoscopy and know for sure. Mucous in the stool is not normal, and in my untrained opinion totally not part of having hemroids.
Dr Google is no good, so call your GI and make an appointment and try to occupy your time with something distracting until the time comes.