Varices or haemorrhoids ?

[Statesman69]

Hi,

I was diagnosed over six months ago as having cirrhosis of the liver (well fatty liver but very high kPa from Fibroscan)

I had used to drink heavily but cut back massively. (Mainly during COVID)

I have a little concern, in that last week I started to get a bit of blood with my faeces. A little amount which then stops when passing. Now, I had an upset stomache a few weeks ago, where I had some problem passing faeces. My bottom was sore for a couple of days, and I did notice a protrusion from my anus, which did appear to be piles.

Now, over the last week, as stated, I have still had some blood with my faeces, nothing major, but Im not sure whether it is piles, or varices.

If you have varices, is there a lot of blood passed ? As I dont feel as though the amount I am passing is anywhere near enough for my whole back tract to be filled with blood ??

I have felt well for a number of weeks now, but this is playing on my mind a little bit, would be grateful of any knowledge/personal experiences anyone has of varice bleeding.

Thanks

[AyrshireK]

If you have ANY blood appearing in bowel motions then no matter the amount you should get it checked out a.s.a.p. Whilst it could be as innocent as piles it could be a sign of so much more. Even potentially non-liver related.

My hubby had what appeared to be fresh blood in his stools whilst he was having an as yet unknown variceal bleed - he put it down to a rectal tear as a friend had this at the same time.

Get checked out.

Katie

[ColinH324]

Best to get it checked.

I have lost anything from a smearing of blood to 3 pints from a variceal bleed around my stoma. I have PSC, which has caused cirrhosis, which has caused the varices and portal hypertension, etc. I also have IBD - originally diagnosed as Crohn's, but the pathology on my removed bowel was indeterminate and stated that it looked like Ulcerative Colitis.

As well as the variceal bleed from around my stoma, I also have varices in my oesophagus and changes within the lining of my stomach (Portal hypertensive gastropathy).

I have had blood in my stool, and upon wiping, in the past and I discussed it with my gastro straight away. He arranged a colonoscopy and saw me within a week or so and did a rigid sigmoidoscopy in clinic. Mine was due to inflammation in my rectum, but the colonoscopy did find dysplasia (abnormal growth/cells - possibly precancerous) within my large bowel.

[RnayStro]

Statesman69 - you very well could have a fissure along with a few hemorrhoids. I have had surgery for both- yikes. Stool softeners are my best friend. Try not to panic. Get some good hemorrhoid cream and take it softly on the wiping. Sits baths are also recommended.