Blood and mucus in stool :(

[Zjoiya]

Hi,

I am 29 years old male. For the last few months I am noticing that my stool comes out with mucus and bright red blood in very less quantity. My stomach stays little upset as well. I eat junk food and consume alcohol 2 3 times in a week. Usually I have noticed after consuming alcohol,the next day I go through this situation. I am really worried if I have some serious problem inside my stomach. I am afraid of consulting this with a doctor. I am enclosing a picture of my stool with mucus and blood. Kindly check it and suggest if someone knows what is actually the reason. Also, if it a is a serious matter or no. I would really appreciate any body's help.

Thanks.

[mondlee6248]

Actually one year ago my poop had this and so I went colonoscopy, everything turns out alright but today I pooping white mucus with a little blood like yours, I’m worried as well

[Zjoiya in reply to mondlee6248]

Hi mondlee6248,

Well. This happens only when I consume alcohol. I think I should consult a doctor for this. You never know what's going on inside.

Thanks for your reply.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hello Zjoiya ,I'm sorry that you are experiencing these symptoms and the anxiety it is causing you.

May I ask, what is it that you are afraid of as far as seeing a doctor? You are not alone in having fear and anxiety about seeing a doctor. I just wanted to ask why so that others on the site that may share some of the same anxieties, can share with you their experiences.

This site does 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 with your stool. Even a medical doctor would need to run tests and would not be able to diagnose by looking at a photo.

We recommend that you speak to a medical professional to find out for sure if there is blood in the stool and what may be causing the mucus.

When you experience blood in the stool, the doctor will often perform a DRE (digital rectal exam) where they will both look and feel with their gloved fingers, to see if an any anal fissure (tears in the anus), hemorrhoids, or something else that could be causing the bleeding. Depending on the DRE results, any symptoms you are experiencing, family history, other factors, your doctor will determine if further tests need to be performed.

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.

We've heard from individuals who have rectal bleeding, that if they get a physical exam from the doctor while not actively bleeding (within the last day or so), that sometimes the doctors have had a hard time identifying where the blood was coming from. We have heard that doctors tell patients "if you were bleeding today I would be able to see where it is coming from." If this is the case, I would recommend discussing with the doctor a plan for when you are actively bleeding - is it possible to have a note in your file and that they squeeze you in when you are next actively bleeding.

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).

Please, do get checked out. It is important to rule out anything that is serious, and also important to treat the cause of the blood and mucus, even if it is an infection or something unrelated to colorectal cancer - we want you healthy and that will mean talking to a medical professional.

We are here for you - please feel free to post if you need any encouragement to make that outreach to a medical professional!

~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.