Diverticulitis, hemerrhoids (?), fissure (?), bleeding

[NewEnglander]

Hello. After a pretty unusual bout of diverticulitis diagnosed by a CT scan, I saw my GI doc and he wants to do another colonoscopy. This is my 4th bout in 6 years - not very bothered by it - but the last one, well, I could not get the stool out, and then started pooping orangy slime. After that I went on Miralax at doc's orders and eating well. I even took Milk of Magnesia to move things along. Doc said that was a little harsh and to try and stick with the Miralax. Now, new symptom. No more constipation, no more slimy stuff - but a good amount of bright red blood into the toilet when I have a soft BM. I can see some blood in the stool.

Doc says I need to wait 2 weeks for a colonoscopy. The anxiety this is causing is overwhelming. He thinks it could be internal hemerrhoids or a fissure. Anyone have this bleeding? Once I go to the bathroom, the bleeding does not continue.

Worried and anxious.

[winfong]

Yes, MiraLAX works wonders.

As for the bleeding, it's probably hemorrhoids. I take it the doc already looked for external hemorrhoids?

What was causing your anxiety? The colonoscopy? The wait for the colonoscopy? The bleeding? If it's the last one, rectal bleeding is pretty common and typically tied to something an noying but not life-threatening, like hemorrhoids.

If it's the colonoscopy, have you had one before? They're not that bad. Anticipatory anxiety seems to be the biggest issue there. You might want to search this forum for it. It's very common, and there's lots of good advice here.

[NewEnglander in reply to winfong]

He did not look. Hmm. I'm not even anxious about the colonoscopy. I think it's the wait. I am an action person, so I want to know. I've had one colonoscopy - actually I never had diverticulitis until I had that done! I had a reaction to the "volatility" of the prep - then an infection - then an allergic reaction to the flagyl/cipro combination - and I swear I've never been the same since. That procedure was 6 years ago and colon was clear except for a tiny polyp which was removed. He said last week that he's 97% sure it's not colon cancer.

So, yes, anticipatory anxiety! I'll search, thank you. This forum is so very helpful and reassuring.

[winfong in reply to NewEnglander]

Oh dear! It's gotta go better this time.

Yeah, I can be pretty impatient myself. At this point in my life, though, it seems like that default response is usually outweighed by my whatever general approach to life.

Where are you in NE? I'm in NH - Nahusa to be exact.

[NewEnglander]

Oh, Rhode Island here... luckily we do not have the wait for care as I am reading in Canada and UK. I am getting to "whatever" - my 2 new grandsons have put me back in "got things left to do" mode.