Blood in stools

[lifegems]

Hi all I was diagnosed with PA about 3 yrs ago . I SI because I can’t be bothered with the Drs misinformation. I do this about once every 2 wks. Alls well I think. I’m very active but do get v tired .. had endoscopy and colonoscopy about 2 yrs ago whilst in EU all cane back fine. But I’ve had upper abdominal pain and lower pain in and off for few years .. now noticed bright blood in stools.. is this to do with the gastric issue that comes with PA ? What’s the best test for me to have to establish why this is now happening? Thanks all x

[Nackapan]

You need to go to the doctor.

There are all sorts of reasons for blood in your stools. You also will be examined . And have blood tested including one for anaemia.

May be why you are extra tired.

[lifegems in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you .. I do have PA and iron issues.. but I sometimes get so hacked off with the inconsistency with the treatment and the Drs.. just want to rule out anything serious so yes I guess I’ll have to go to the DRs 😫

[Nackapan in reply to lifegems]

Hope you get okay

[fbirder]

No, it is almost certainly nothing to do with the PA. Bleeding from the stomach will result in brown tarry stools. Bright red blood is a sign of a problem lower down. Quite possibly piles, possibly something serious.

You need to see a doctor ASAP. Indeed, if it were me I'd make an appointment now.

[lifegems in reply to fbirder]

Ok thanks .. I wasn’t sure but appreciate the reply.. not keen on Drs but I will make an appt ASAP .. assuming that’s possible as it’s like getting an audience with god !

[fbirder in reply to lifegems]

If you can't then ring 111. They will probably advise you to go to A&E.

[sea55red]

You need an endoscopy ASAP. I had the same. It was bowel cancer. Please get checked.

[lifegems in reply to sea55red]

Ok thanks .. not an ideal time of year to get appt but will try !

[Ashbe]

Many reasons for rectal bleeding and bright red blood less of a worry. Gastritis, diverticulitis etc. I had screening came back all clear two days prior to having bleeding. By time I dithered and got colonoscopy they could not find cause of bleeding which had stopped. If you are losing blood in this way it could make you anaemia so worth getting a blood test for that as well.

Colonoscopy prep is not a pleasant experience but recommend you see a doctor sooner rather than later. If only to put your mind at rest as stress and worry never help!

[lifegems in reply to Ashbe]

Thank you 🙏

[sbadd]

Yes see doctor, you will need another colonoscopy to see whats going on, may be piles or polyp, dont stress yourself out thinking the worst but better to be safe than to leave this sort of thing, hope all goes well

[lifegems in reply to sbadd]

Thanks 🙏

[pejka62]

Bright blood should be no problem--probably a small hemorrhoid near the outside--dark blood would be probably, bleeding from the inside of the bowel. That would have to be checked by a doctor.

[lifegems in reply to pejka62]

Ok thanks 🙏

[Marrob in reply to pejka62]

I had bright red blood literally dripping from my bowel into the toilet, it turned out to be colon cancer, blood of any kind from the bowel should be checked out right away!

[lifegems in reply to Marrob]

Ok thank you .. hope your ok now 😀

[Foggyme Administrator]

Lifegems. Please do see a doctor ASAP. It is NOT the case that bright red blood is no cause for concern...it can be indicative of serious issues and should always be checked out by a GP (and I would always be suspicious of a doctor who dismissed bright red blood as being due to piles (haemorrhoids) without taking a full case history, doing a through clinical examination and further investigations (unfortunately, some doctors are quite blasé and simply dismiss rectal bleeding as haemorrhoids - with no examination or investigation).

The colour of blood in stool depends on the location of any bleed - bleeding from the upper GI tract (stomach, duodenum etc.) will have a dark maroon, black or black tarry appearance whilst blood from the mid GI tract (the large bowel - ascending, transverse and descending colon will be dark maroon or maroon, and blood from the sigmoid colon, rectum and anus will be bright red (the colour of blood passed is therefore increasingly bright red when the bleeding point is nearer to the anus).

So...in short...the longer blood remains in the GI tract the darker the blood becomes as it passes down the GI tract. This is because the blood is broken down by intestinal bacteria into chemicals called hematin, which are black in colour, and hence intestinal bacteria turns the blood an increasingly darker colour the longer it has to 'work' on it in the GI tract - so a bleed that starts in the stomach and travels the whole length of the intestines is passed as dark maroon or black tarry blood (the bleeding point of any GI bleeds always starts as bright red blood).

So, bleeding from the sigmoid colon, the rectum or anus appears as bright red blood (because intestinal bacteria has not had time to break it down to hematin and change the colour to black).

So...whilst passing red blood can be due to piles, it's not at all safe to assume that this is the case. Bright red blood can come from the sigmoid colon, rectum or anus and can have other more (some very) serious causes.

As others have said, very important that you get this checked out quickly (rectal bleeding is one cause for a fast track two week referral for further investigation and colonoscopy (sometimes endoscopy too).

Good luck 🤞

pejka62 Ashbe - above FYI 😉.

[lifegems in reply to Foggyme]

Thank you foggyme. I am in Portugal at the moment but will have it done here. Just have to wait for Xmas to finish. .. have a good Christmas 😀

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to lifegems]

Great news lifegems 👍.

Have a fantastic Christmas in Portugal and let’s us all know how you get on x

[lifegems in reply to Foggyme]

Thank you.. I will do

[Marrob]

Definitely get this checked out, I had bright red blood, not necessarily in my stools but dripping into the toilet! It was a bleeding polyp which had turned cancerous! I know there are many reasons for blood from the bowel but you should never delay with something like that, the sooner it’s dealt with the better! Good luck!

[lifegems in reply to Marrob]

Thank you and I will do