Hemorrhoids or cancer?

[Eviet835]

Hello, I’m new to this forum and looking for some feedback from others with similar experiences. I’ve had issues with hemorrhoids on and off for years. Always minor bleeding that subsides after a few days. I’m 43, healthy and fit with no colon cancer family history. I think I may have flared my hemorrhoids 3 weeks ago when I started lifting heavier weights. I have also had constipation that triggers it as well. Stool softeners, high fiber and tons of water help me pass the stools. However, I continue to see some blood. It used to be bright red but now it’s pink. I’m hoping it healing? I’ve reduced calorie intake because I’m afraid to get gassy . I got to the toilet when I pass gas because mucus, pink blood and what I think I a little fecal matter come out. Basically, it’s hard to pass gas. I’ve lost 8 lbs since all this started. Maybe it’s all from eating high fiber and reducing food intake ? I do what I know I shouldn’t and that is...look at Google for my symptoms. I’m being referred to a GI specialist next week. I’m worried as I think I have colon cancer as these hemorrhoids aren’t going away. No stomach pain or pain when I pass stool. I feel relief when I have a bowel movement . I’m no longer lifting weights until this heals. I’m so scared. Any feedback is much appreciated!

[Paulol]

Based on your description, it's probably internal hemorrhoids, you loosing weight might be because of fear of the worst, stay calm, all will be well.

[Eviet835 in reply to Paulol]

You’re probably right. I’m hoping that’s what it is. I can’t see anything down there but hopefully my doc can feel something. Thank you so much for the reply!

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hi Eviet835 ,Thanks for posting and I'm sorry to read about what you are experiencing. It can definitely be scary and raise anxiety levels. I'm so glad you are going to see a gastroenterologist.

With your past hemorrhoids, did you have a doctor that was overseeing your care? Was there anything that helped them to subside or did they go away on their own? ( I know they came back as well)

If you have seen a different doctor in the past for the hemorrhoids, or have any medical records that will be useful to your GI doctor, please be sure to have a copy for them. Also, having a copy of your history with hemmorroids, your weight lifting, diet, and any prescription or over the counter medications (including supplements and protein, etc.) will be a help to them.

The American Cancer Society's guidelines for colorectal cancer screening for someone with no symptoms and no family history are age 45 - so you are not too far from getting screened. Please let us know what they say - we hope it goes well.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[Eviet835 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Thank you for your reply. My gynecologist diagnosed me with hemorrhoids after I had my daughter who is now 11. I had a difficult delivery with her . I would get occasional bleeding on and off after. Very rarely...maybe once a year and it would go away on its own after a few days to a week . Never had pain.

I just realized that I’ve been taking up to 3 Beano ultra 800 with dinner at night which can cause constipation. I don’t get gas after dinner if I take this. I go to bed feeling fine. I wake up and feel I need to pass gas. Feels like trapped gas. Out comes pinkish blood that looked like it’s mixed with stool. I feel immediate relief from rectum pressure . I then have a BM later after my coffee which is hard to pass but I feel such relief and like I’ve emptied faster I pass. There will be pinkish blood . Later I may have another BM which doesn’t come out with blood . I never have pain and these are my only symptoms. I take 2 colaces at night too.

I got into a GI next week. Hopefully I get answers. My doc said she thought she felt a small hemorrhoid at the 6’oclock area which means it will be down towards the Rectal opening and triggering constant bleeding. I’m a mess right now and feel I have cancer.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Eviet835]

Dear Eviet835 ,Good luck at your appointment! Be sure to write down any questions you have ahead of time so you can prevent the "oh no I forgot to ask...." when you leave the doctor's office.

It will be important to give your GI a list of all your prescription medications as well as your over the counter medications and supplements.

I know how hard it can be to keep positive and not think the worst. Be kind to yourself and focus your energy on your upcoming appointment and preparing to give relevant medical history so the GI has info that may be useful to them.

Please keep us posted, we're here for you.

~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.

[Eviet835 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Thank you so much for the support . I went to the GI today and he didn’t find much except for what he said is a small red spot In left lateral cushion rectum. It looks like it’s an area that had some bleeding he said . I’ve had no pain but just light pressure sometimes. He is wondering if I keep having the bleeding because this area keeps getting irritated when I pass stool . I’m getting a colonoscopy next week . What does he mean by a red spot in that area? They’re also putting me under twilight sedation and I have anxiety more about that I think than the actual procedure I think.

[mondlee6248 in reply to Eviet835]

Yup better to get a colonoscopy and update us on that red spot in your left cushion rectum and whether isit that spot that bleed

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Eviet835]

Hi Eviet835 ,

Thanks for the update. Glad you are getting a colonoscopy. What is it specifically about the light anesthesia that is concerning you? Prior to a colonoscopy (at least here in the US), the anesthesiologist will speak to you and answer any questions that you have. As with all procedures as well as receiving anesthesia, come with risks, and those should always be discussed with your doctor so that the risks and benefits can be discussed.

I'm not a doctor - but have spoken with tens of thousands of people who have undergone a colonoscopy, and very few have had issues with the anesthesia. Have you had a negative reaction to anesthesia in the past? If so, do you know what kind it was?

Some people opt to have a colonoscopy with NO anesthesia. For some who have had the procedure with no medication, they have tolerated it ok, and for others, it was quite uncomfortable. A small amount of air is pumped into your colon so that the colonoscope can get a better view, and that can be uncomfortable, as well as having the actual scope moving around your colon.

If the fear of the anesthesia is bad enough that you are considering not getting the colonoscopy, please speak to your doctor. Virtual Colonoscopy (also known as CT Colonography), is non-invasive. You still need to do the prep, but, if something is found on the CT, you will likely need a colonoscopy.

It sounds like your doctor saw irritation but no specific reason yet for that red spot. You mentioned that you feel like you have cancer - try not to give yourself that diagnosis, the doctor needs to do tests and determine what is going on.

Please keep us updated on your colonoscopy.

~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.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Tips to get you through your colonoscopy prep:

1. Once you get the prescription for the prep that you'll drink, follow your doctor's instructions exactly. You want to have the cleanest colon for the doctor to be able to see everything with no fecal matter obscuring the way. We like this tool that Kaiser Permanente put together (with drawings!) that shows food to avoid and foods to eat leading up to when you actually start drinking the prep: wa.kaiserpermanente.org/htm...

2. Get prepared to prep! Many people say the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy procedure as a whole. Depending on what your doctor prescribes, it may be a lot of the same drink with the medication mixed in (such as Gatorade) vs. a smaller volume of prep that you drink, and then separately drink a certain amount of liquid of your choice (excluding something like a red Gatorade which could stain your colon for the test).

a. In addition to picking up your prescription, buy yourself some supplies:

*Toilet paper (necessary!)

*Wet wipes (never flush wipes even if they say flushable, the last thing you want is a clogged toilet when you are in the midst of prepping for a colonoscopy),

*Magazines

b. While you are going through prep, many treat themselves to buying a movie or series they've been wanting to see.

3. If during your prep you have any concerns or don't feel well (nauseous, etc.) call your doctor to let them know what is going on.

4. Most places will require you to have a family member or friend drive you home (you can not drive for the rest of the day), most places won't want you taking a taxi or Uber home alone. Bringing a family member or friend who can take notes on what the doctor tells you when you are in the recovery area will be key - you most likely won't remember what they say.

Good luck and please keep us posted

[digar in reply to Eviet835]

Any updates here?

[Eviet835 in reply to digar]

Hi, so I officially have IBD. The bloody stools were bad and constant that started in December. Not many other symptoms except urgency. Symptoms stopped on their own as fast as they started which was end of January. This was right after my colonoscopy. Dr. diagnosed me with ulcerative proctitis but changed the diagnosis to ulcerative proctosigmoiditis. Overall, it seems I have the most mild form of IBD so I’m very grateful. Just started meds a few weeks ago but still without symptoms. Colonoscopy was a piece of cake. The prep was SO horrible though.

[digar in reply to Eviet835]

Thank you for the update! Did you ever go for a follow up second opinion?

[Eviet835 in reply to digar]

I did! So my second opinion is well known in the field of gastro medicine. He told me I have mild ulcerative proctitis and don’t necessarily need meds except for flares. Gave me lots of good info. I’m still without symptoms but started a very light dose (1pill) of Mesalamine a day. Will have calprotectin checked later this month to see if it helped inflammation. Hopefully!