Is this blood?

[Medifood]

I had this maroon likes shade in crack stool on n off for past 2 months.

Im not sure whether is blood or just lighter brownish in crack. Perhaps I digest food cause the different tone of color?

I'm 42yrs old, I had colonscopy in July 2019 n result come back normal.

Any advise?

[B3xb]

I think it looks normal? I would go to your GP and express your concerns, they may ask for a sample

[mondlee6248]

I don’t think that is blood but ongoing do you still encounter something like tgat

[Medifood in reply to mondlee6248]

On and off for past 2 months. Before that I seldom check, only coincidence 1 time saw like this n I chk everytime in past 2 months. On n off will saw different tone color, the crack part looks like maroon color or just light brown I'm not sure. Or perhaps just color fr food. Still it worry me for quite some time.I do always see indigest food like dark green fr vege, bright red fr capcicum n tomato skin or white fr nuts.

Thanks for advise fr u all.

[FicusElastica in reply to Medifood]

Yes in my limited experience, indigested food looks like indigested food, not areas of colour.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Dear Medifood ,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected.

This site doe not offer medical advice, but we are here to share our experience and offer our advice, but it should not replace speaking to your doctor. It is pretty hard to tell from a photo what's going on unless the blood is very obvious, which is pretty hard to tell if it is blood or if undigested food as others commented. However, we recommend that you speak to a medical professional to find out for sure if there is blood in the stool and any issues.

Do you have other GI issues or family history, is that why you had a colonoscopy at age ~40?

There are many reasons for blood in the stool, some are very treatable with medication, diet change, and minor procedures, and of course, there are more serious reasons for blood in the stool as well. For that reason, we always advise patients to seek medical care when they have blood in the stool.

Depending on where you live and your insurance, you may start with a call to your primary care doctor. And with COVID, that may mean a video or phone call instead of an in-person office visit. There are stool tests that your doctor can order and bloodwork that your dr. can do, and that may determine if they refer you to a specialist. Your doctor may take a medical history including asking if any family members have had colorectal (bowel) cancer.

Before you speak to your doctor, be sure to have written down a list of all medications that you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Often, patients with GI issues will also keep a food journal to track food and beverage intake, bowel movements, any pain or bleeding, etc. This could be useful information for your doctor. Additionally, it could show you a pattern (for instance, possibly being lactose intolerant, if you experience diarrhea after eating dairy).

Good luck and please update us - 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.

[Medifood in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Thanks. I went for endoscopy as I hv some stomach burning at night. In the same time went for colonscopy like many oth ppl since its same procedure. I do not have any family history, no one in my family hv GI issue.In Yr 2019,my endoscopy n colonscopy both result come back normal.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Medifood]

I'd say it is worth giving your doctor a call, they may want to do a video visit. But definitely worth reaching out to your dr.Keep us posted!

~Nicole @ GCCA

[mondlee6248 in reply to Medifood]

So everything fine for your latest scope result??

[Medifood in reply to mondlee6248]

I did my scope in July year 2019.I still monitoring now.

Not a good time to go hospital now unless is urgent case due to Covid 19.

Scope usually only 5 to 10yrs apart right?

[mondlee6248 in reply to Medifood]

Yes by right usually is 5-10 years apart