Mucus and blood in stool

[Romantic34]

Hello everyone, since March I noticed I was more constipated than usual. In April I saw blood on the tissue while wiping. I was straining really hard. Another thing that troubled me was the yellow mucus I started seeing constantly. In August I saw some bloody mucus again while straining. I went to the GP who did a digital rectal examination and told me she didn’t think it was anything serious. She didn’t notice any fissures or piles. She referred me to the hospital and I got a letter for an appointment in February. I am concerned because I saw blood again this week but this time I wasn’t constipated. The blood is always a very tiny streak on the poo. I contacted my Gp and was told they can only see me if I have new symptoms like weight loss and lump in tummy other than that I should contact the hospital to chase up the February appointment. I would be grateful if I can get thoughts on what this could be pls. Just to add that I have gallstones

[xjrs]

If the blood you are seeing is bright in colour i.e. red or pink rather than very dark it tends to mean this is coming from the anal area. The blood can be due to constipation or irritation in that area.

To help the constipation you can increase your fibre intake.

[Romantic34 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for your response, the blood is normal red you get when you have a cut. The first two times I was constipated and the last time I had it I wasn’t. I also started having a lot of yellow mucus. It’s just scary cos I have never had such before. It is causing me too much anxiety.

[xjrs in reply to Romantic34]

I wouldn't worry too much. Mucus naturally occurs in the gut and it has lots of functions like protecting your intestines. Sometimes when the gut is a bit irritated perhaps from constipation you can end up producing more mucus than normal to help the hard stools out. We all expel mucus - it's just that normally it isn't that visible. Statistically more people will come back with a 'normal' or IBS diagnosis rather than anything else. Your doctor is also not too worried. I have had much more blood than you and experienced lots of regular mucus in the past, particularly when constipated and I was still diagnosed with IBS. Best thing to do is to try to distract yourself with day to day tasks until the tests are done. You are doing all the right things. In the mean time you can help your gut by increasing fibre if you feel this is necessary just to help things to run more smoothly.

[Romantic34 in reply to xjrs]

Thank you I am encouraged by your post.

[Convertiblegirl]

Hi! If the blood is bright red and mainly on the tissue it is normally internal piles or a fissure which can be hard to see.

Both of these can be caused by constipation and/or diarrhoea. Do you have any local pain or discomfort. If you have not had any sudden weight loss it's unlikely to be anything sinister but should always be investigated.

Good luck

[Romantic34 in reply to Convertiblegirl]

I have abdominal pains but I think it is from the gallstones. The blood is always on the poo not mixed in just on it. No weight loss thankfully. There is also the issue of more mucus than normal.

[Convertiblegirl in reply to Romantic34]

The mucus can be IBS related, can also be an indicator of piles or fissure. Abdominal pain of course is also very common with IBS

[val12val]

Generally if the blood is bright red then as others have said it is usually caused by piles or similar. You're doing the right thing by going the hospital. X

[ReginaldPerrin]

I had the same thing happen years ago with my IBS so i started keeping a ... ahem.. log (sorry) of when it happens, and when it first started it happened on a 2-3 month cycle, and the longer it's gone on the less it happens, now happening about once a year and only for one bowel movement. Usually when it happens my IBS-D symptoms clear up for a couple of days and then the release it happens on is large. I've lost absolutely no weight over the years it's been happening and had no other effects from it so i don't really worry about it and just accept it's part of living with IBS. Maybe try to record all the times it happens to you, along with any feelings of constipation etc?

[heyimscared]

hey any updates?