Pressure in back passage

[RS1981]

Hi all I would really appreciate your thoughts/experience. Since mid December I have been feeling a pressure like feeling in back passage area along with straining when I pass stools. There is intermittent mild pain almost like a pulsating pain. I have had streaks of bright red blood on toilet paper a couple of times but no bleeding from rectum or mixed in with poo. I Constantly feel as though I haven’t full evacuated and like something is stuck there. I have had bouts of diarrhoea in between but they usually only last for a few hours or at most a day. What is concerning me is that my stools are thinner not pencil thin or ribbon like but definitely narrower. I have suffered from bowel issues for Years especially constipation but GP always put it down to IBS and advised to drink more water and increase fiber intake. My GP doesn’t take me at seriously and puts my symptoms down to stress/anxiety So earlier this month I self referred to a colorectal surgeon whom I saw a couple of weeks ago. He said that although my symptoms are “vague” he is concerned about the pressure I’m experiencing. so I will be having MRI and scope but on NHS as I cannot afford private investigations. When I asked him if I should be worried he said at present time it’s impossible for him to say. I am stressing myself out as I work in cancer services and so am convincing myself it’s either anal or rectal cancer! I suffer from anxiety and in particular health anxiety I know google doesn’t help but only thing To explain my symptoms is the big C word...I’m due to start a new job in 2 weeks timing couldn’t be worse. All thoughts and advice welcome.

[MartinVB1000]

Firstly, you are absolutely right to get it checked by the professionals.

What ever it is it’s best to know and start treatment if needed. CRC is best found at stage 1-3.

IMHO it sounds possible for CRC as I had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with stage 3. They will need to do a colonoscopy as well as a CT.

on the positive side if you get cancer , CRC is one of the least worse. Medical Research has made this very treatable and disease free has risen from 25% to 70% for stage 3.

A new job is important but live comes first. It’s your body , take care of it.

Finally, we all wish you cancer free but be not too scarred as this is treatable and many live a normal life post it.

[clouisa]

Hi how did you get on with your examinations? I am having similar symptoms ...

[Amal77 in reply to clouisa]

Hi Clousia

Did you find out the cause of your symptoms?

I'm having similar symptoms since mid December too with extreme fatigue. My symptoms have been put on IBS and stress by GP. Only very recently a doctor took it serious enough to refer for Colorectal appointment with InHealth team which doesn't seem that effective as one appointment is cancelled and awaiting another one.

Feeling bit anxious whether this delay could make it incurable?

[clouisa in reply to Amal77]

hi so sorry for the delay in reply...partly i have and partly not ...iv got a tail bone abcess basically the indentation at bottom of spine has got infected and caused an abcess since the abcess has come out the pressure has gone...however im still sore and pain with bowel movements...back to doctors tomorrow...have you got any further with yours? clouisa

[clouisa in reply to Amal77]

for got to say ibs can cause narrower stools and is linked to stress

[RS1981 in reply to clouisa]

I am still being investigated. Colonoscopy and OGD scheduled for May. I had only seen the consultant in March as the transition from private to NHS took a while. They don’t seem overly concerned about my symptoms hence they had requested the investigations as non urgent but I am a worrier. The symptoms are still present.

[zmr_3 in reply to RS1981]

Hi I know this is an old post but how did your colonoscopy turn out? I have same symptoms as you. My colonoscopy is in a couple weeks and I am quite worried