Symptoms that are similar to colon cancer that aren’t hemorrhoids but something else??

[amc202]

I am not looking for a medical diagnosis. Just peoples experiences.

Have you had symptoms that minic colon cancer symptoms (blood in stool, change of bowel habits, inconsistent stool, loss of appetite, weight loss, etc.) and found out that you had something other then cancer that was not hemorrhoids?

I went to a GI yesterday for peace of mind after being told by my PCP that I had hemorrhoids. The GI said she only saw two small ones, but they shouldn’t be producing the blood I am seeing when I have a bowel movement.

Not the news I was hoping for. I am scheduled for a sigmoidoscopy to check things out, but I think I’ll change it to her colonoscopy based on the GI recommendation.

I’m freaking out a little. I don’t have loose stool, so I am worried it’s not cloitis, chron’s, etc., as those seem to be a common symptom with GI diseases.

Like I mentioned before, wondering if anyone has had experience with bleeding and other symptoms that didn’t turn out to be hemorrhoids and what it ended up being.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and for your replies.

[mondlee6248]

When will be ur colonoscopy and what do you think in your mind that will be based on the symptoms, open for discussion

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

Honestly, I think it could be cancer. Which is terrifying. I have done a lot of reading on cancer website, patient stories, medical journals, etc., and I have a lot of the same symptoms as people who end up diagnosed with Stage 1-3. The GI said I was young to have polyp’s, but it would be negligent of her to not push for a colonoscopy based off my my symptoms to figure out what’s going on for sure. Everything I have read said rates for people in their 30’s for polyps and cancer is on the rise. I’m not sure what else it could be at this point. Without any loose stool it makes me think it’s not really IBS or anything else. I am hoping I am overreacting, but I don’t want to be taken by surprise if it’s something serious.

[Ejoejai20]

Sound silly but i lost blood few weeks ago n went straight to the walk in the dr checked and said no blood so she looked n saw a small pile on the outside n as she touched it it burst with blood she said that was definitely where the blood was coming from. I had an assessment in a ward too by a surgeon of some sort who told me it was a pile from being constipated even tho i didnt feel blocked up.

[amc202 in reply to Ejoejai20]

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping the doc would see hemorrhoids when they did the anoscopy, but not the case. Glad yours wasn’t anything serious!

[bantam12 in reply to amc202]

An IBD without diarrhoea is still a possibility, depends where the inflammation is.

[amc202 in reply to bantam12]

That’s good to know!

[amc202]

I have gone back and forth between the two procedures. If they find polyps or something else on the sigmoidoscopy then they will most likely want to do a colonoscopy anyway. I figure why have to have two procedures when I can just get completely checked out with one.

[amc202]

I believe she did. She did a DRE and an anoscopy and said she didn’t see any large hemorrhoids that would cause bleeding and didn’t see any fissures. She did give me a prescription for suppositories and said it should help and calm things down and if it doesn’t then the colonoscopy needed to be done to rule out other things that could be going on.

[Jazzy1990]

Kind of in the same position as you, no diarrhea or anything which rules out other possible things it could be, I just get blood. Dark blood mixed into stool or parts ofStool that are maroon. Had a positive fit test so it’s definitely blood. I bleed everyday and hemorrhoids don’t bleed everyday for like 10 months. Can’t even get checked as I’m pregnant.

[RA-AU83 in reply to Jazzy1990]

Hi Jazzy1990 , did you get checked? Keep us updated please.

[Moon_maiden]

Hi I’ve had all sorts of scans this year, nothing GI can find that it relates to them. Fit test was positive, constant constipation and massive weightloss. GI put it as still being gynae (fibroids, endometriosis) had hysterectomy last month. Still getting symptoms. Now checking autoimmune conditions.Sorry kept it rough, please do ask if you think it may help.

[amc202 in reply to Moon_maiden]

How are you feeling? Have you had any more progress with getting a diagnosis?

[Moon_maiden in reply to amc202]

HiI spoke to GP last week and he’s contacting gynae to find out what else he saw in op. The auto immune came back clear, another thing crossed of. I’m suspecting there are still adhesions as it feels like things are not moving of their own accord. They don’t show on scans either.

Have you had any updates on appointments? How are you feeling at the moment?

[amc202 in reply to Moon_maiden]

How much weight have you lost? I am sorry they have no answers for you.

I go for my sigmoidoscopy on Friday. I have been feeling ok until yesterday. I am not sure if I ate something or what - but my stomach has been very upset and super bubbly and uncomfortable. I haven’t really had that before. Every time something changes or adds to the list it messes with my head. It’s crazy how two months ago I felt perfectly fine. No issues or symptoms, and now these last two months have been really tough.

[Moon_maiden in reply to amc202]

Keep in mind that your appointment is close and when you’ve been unwell and want it to go away, there’s an anticipation of getting answers along with wondering what might show. It’s a little precarious at times, but perfectly natural. We want answers but the right ones to deal with.🙂It’s very tough, try and hang in there as things are moving forward for you.

Every time I’ve seen a gynaecologist I’ve come away with something new 🤦‍♀️ And scans have shown little things like a tiny duodenal ulcer, or diverticular that they aren’t bothered about.

I’ve lost over four stone, I think closer to five, gone from size 16 to 8-10 over the last year, did start the year before but not as noticeable.

[Mcarps]

My PCP told me that I had an anal tear and no hemorrhoids. It didn't hurt at all. Just minor irritation. I ended up having a colonoscopy and apparently and I DID have hemorrhoids and they think I might also have Chron's Disease .I'm scheduled for an MRI. I have never had any symptoms of Chron's other than a B-12 deficiency. My point is...I really wouldn't jump to any conclusions just yet. I never would have thought that I had Chron's Disease. You just never know and lots of things can cause what you are describing.

[amc202 in reply to Mcarps]

Thanks for the reply! That’s good to hear. I was feeling like it was hemorrhoids until the GI did the exam and said no and that sent me into a panic again. I hope everything goes well with your MRI.

[WthrMtsfan712 in reply to Mcarps]

Did you have any blood work done? And if so, were there some indications in the blood work you had done that you might have had Crohn's? Just wondering. Because the inflammation markers in my blood work aren't high at all and my WBC count is never elevated. That's why I'm fearing that I have cancer and not Crohn's.

[Mcarps in reply to WthrMtsfan712]

The only bloodwork I had done was yearly CBC tests. It showed an unexplained B-12 deficiency. That was the only symptom I had. Still is the only symptom I have.

[WthrMtsfan712 in reply to Mcarps]

Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

[amc202 in reply to WthrMtsfan712]

I am in the same situation. All of my blood work is completely normal. No anemia, no iron deficiency, CBC within normal range.I told my PCP I was worried about cancer when I first had the bleeding and went to see her (I was actually crying and hyperventilating when I saw her), and she did a lot of blood work along with the DRE and called me to say everything appeared normal and she thought hemorrhoids. I get nervous because I have read so much about CC being diagnosed as hemorrhoids initially.

[Pipinha in reply to Mcarps]

Hello you made blood tests ? And confirm thats inflamatory

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hi amc202 ,Thanks for posting and I hope the comments from the community members is helpful. Please know that while people may experience similar symptoms, the #1 colorectal cancer symptom is no symptom at all.

There are many conditions/diseases of the gut where diarrhea is not involved (or rarely).

Dr. Google can be dangerous - it is good to be informed but please don't become convinced of anything - only a medical professional, who performs various tests, can diagnose colorectal cancer.

It is important to discuss the various options with your doctor and understand the risks and benefits of the various tests (sigmoidoscopy v. colonoscopy sounds like the two you are between deciding now).

Colonoscopy does have risks associated due to anesthesia and is also more invasive as it goes all the way to the cecum. A colonoscopy will be able to give your doctor a full view of your entire colon, while the sigmoidoscopy will not show the entire colon. GI docs recommend one over the other based on a variety of reasons - the type of symptoms they are seeing (for instance, bright blood typically can be caused in the colon closer to the rectum vs. darker blood). Either way, please discuss with the specialist and make sure you know the risks and benefits. Many patients prefer the colonoscopy to ensure that their entire colon is examined.

We are here for you - and hope that you get answers soon!

~Nicole @ GCCA

[amc202 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Thank you! It’s seen you only get symptoms once things are really bad and you stage highly. Which makes me on edge. I talked to the hospital performing my sigmoidoscopy on Friday and the nurse was so sweet. I am very anxious to get this done, but I guess it’s a step in the right direction either way.

[PurplePoppy12]

Hi amc, i'm replying to here rather than to your message as it wont let me send messages!

Anyway, as you noticed, i had similar symptoms; lots of rectal bleeding but apparently no haemmhoroids, and no polyps or anything cancerous found on a colonoscopy.

Recently I had another scope (sigmoidoscopy this time) and they found that I have colitis. I see you mentioned that you don't have a loose stool, but I also didn't - in fact I've been constipated - since my diagnosis Ive been reading up and found that constipation can actually be quite common with ulcerative colitis which is limited to a small part of the colon (mostly in the rectum and the furthest part of the colon).

So, I hope that gives some reassurance and that your symptoms turn out to be something easily treatable.

All the best!

[amc202 in reply to PurplePoppy12]

Thank you!! This message was very comforting. It’s good to know that there are other things this could be and someone else has felt how I do and although UC can still be difficult it’s not the big c word. I had no idea constipation could be a symptom of colitis. I haven’t read that anywhere. Did you ever have loose or softer stool and still saw some blood? I just had a pretty soft movement and there was only a couple of small spot of bright red blood when I wiped. Did they give you medication or anything to help with your symptoms and the bleeding?

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

So have you gone for your scope already to get it diagnose yet??

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

I go this Friday... my anxiety is at an all-time high!

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to amc202]

Dear amc202 ,

Hang in there - your appointment is days away (which I am sure feels like years). You are doing everything you can and should be doing to get checked out.

Some people find that distraction helps when awaiting a procedure. I know with COVID, it can be harder to find a distraction, like actually going to a movie. But maybe renting or buying a movie online that you've been wanting to see, treating yourself to some online shopping, rearranging your living space..... might just help you get your mind off of waiting for Friday to hurry up and get here.

We're here for you - please keep us updated when you can.

~Nicole, GCCA Staff Member & Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

Update us on the scope result, I’m anxious for you too

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

Will do! Thank you!!

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

Two small hemorrhoids. And then a small red spot in my descending colon. She took a biopsy. I asked her to let me know what she thinks and she said maybe colitis but didn’t want to speculate until we get back results. Two weeks now. But I am grateful the rest of my colon used healthy and there was no tumor found.

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

Nice and good news, so from now till two weeks for the biopsy results then

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

Yes. More waiting. Ahh!

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

But do u still have blood in stool? change in bowel etc?

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

Yes. I am still having blood at times. Mostly from the hemorrhoids (I am hoping) because I am having issues with constipation and it hurts when I have a bowel movement. I am hoping I don’t have to wait the full two weeks for some answers.

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

Since you said you have constipation then I suppose ur issue is hemorrhoids, update us soon ya

[amc202 in reply to mondlee6248]

I go to the doctor Monday morning to discuss results

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

Alright, update us ya

[mondlee6248 in reply to amc202]

Got ur results?

[sung_ash in reply to amc202]

Hey how are your results?

[digar in reply to amc202]

Any updates?

[RA-AU83 in reply to amc202]

Hi amc202 please update us. I hope you are well

[Pipinha in reply to PurplePoppy12]

You made blood test and confirm thats colite?