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Original poster

Bleeding from bum which is getting worse, worried it culd be cancer .. can's stop thinking about it

28 replies

MrsOtter · 13/04/2011 20:06

I have been bleeding from my bum everytime I have a pooh for about a week now and the blood less is increasing and scaring me. I cannot stop thinking about it. I had a urine test a couple of months back for stomach ache I have been getting when I lean forward, would this test have picked up something like caner?

I am meant to be going away tomorrow and don't want to let the kids down so seeing the doctor tomorrow isn't really an option.

Any reassurance till I get to the doctors on Monday would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
ladysybil · 13/04/2011 20:10

um, i dont know about cancer, but i think that if you have any bleeding of any sort that is increasing over a week, and scaring you like this, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
at the very least, call nhs direct right now

crw1234 · 13/04/2011 20:11

I think you will be ok to wait till monday - you will need some other tests I think -stool rather than urine but I think at your age - I imagine under 50 odds on it won't be cancer - not a doctor but my dad just had bowel cancer and is fine BTW

K999 · 13/04/2011 20:11

It could be fissures? They cause bright red blood.

But I would get it checked as soon as you can. Smile

amidaiwish · 13/04/2011 20:11

could you have piles or a fissure? does it hurt when you poo?
did the doctor have a good feel of your tummy when you went before? what did the blood tests show?
how long are you away?

RitaMorgan · 13/04/2011 20:11

Is it fresh red blood or black/brown blood?

amistillsexy · 13/04/2011 20:12

Is the blood dark or light in colour?
If it is light, fresh looking blood, it is unlikely to be coming from deep inside, and is probably due to piles or a small cut that isn't healing. If it is dark in colour, it might be indicative of something wrong further inside, which would be more likely to be serious (sorry!).

Original poster
MrsOtter · 13/04/2011 20:16

Bright red blood.

Does hurt slightly when I strain and I kind of have to force myself to go.

No blood tests just a urine test which I forgot to phone for the results for (dd2 is 5 months old and life is a bit hetic) but I have seen the doctor since and nothing has been mentioned so guessing they were clear.

I'm not far from the doctors but chances of getting an early morning appointment are slim.

Doctor did feel my tummy - twice now by two different docs. One found tenderness on the lower left hand side but couldn't say what was causing it and neither found any masses.

Am thinking it could be a fissure but the stomach pains are scaring me.

OP posts:
methodsandmaterials · 13/04/2011 20:17

mrsotter
Try not to panic. Rectal bleeding is symptomatic of a number of conditions such as haemorrhoids and ulcerative colitis, so please don't jump to conclusions yet before getting checked out.
That said, I do think that you should see your doctor ASAP, your children might be disappointed about their holiday but there is no point in going away if you'll be worrying throughout the trip. Most GP surgeries will grant emergency appointments if you call first thing. Could you try that?

UrsulaBuffay · 13/04/2011 20:18

Just get thee to a Dr to put your mind at rest asap.

amidaiwish · 13/04/2011 20:19

i also have tummy ache pretty much all the time on lower left side. have seen many different doctors about it, they all say left side can only be indigestion/intestine.
they did a blood test showing no inflammation. felt my tummy and no masses.
i showed DD1 how to dial for an ambulance once the pain was so bad, but they keep telling me it is nothing.
monday isn't long away, try and forget about it til then if you can and enjoy your few days break.

FantasticDay · 13/04/2011 20:26

It could be any number of things: I've always found NHS Direct 0845 4647 to be really helpful. They may be able to put your mind at rest, or let you know where there is a surgery near where you are staying if you can't change your plans. (My C-section scar started bleeding when I was away from home, and they directed me to an appropriate treatment centre). Good luck.

Original poster
MrsOtter · 13/04/2011 20:26

I was given tablets for the stomach pain, think they were gastro retention. the pain has eased, not sure if this is to do with the tablets or not.

Does the fact I have noticed small drops of blood in my knickers after going to the toilet mean anything?

OP posts:
DancingThroughLife · 13/04/2011 20:28

I had this when DD was about 5-6mo. I had a massive heamorroid after she was born, which disappeared but then I started bleeding after pooing. I got prescribed Lactulose to help me go and some ointment to help me heal. After a few weeks it stopped just as suddenly as it started.

I saw about 4 different GPs at my practice about it, just so I could get in quickly rather than waiting for my usual GP. The lovely female GP said that it could take up to a year for all my 'downstairs' to get back to normal and that its quite common for this to develop ages after you would expect.

Definitely get it checked out though, to put your mind at rest at the very least.

Original poster
MrsOtter · 13/04/2011 20:29

Dancing could you see or feel the heamorroid? I had piles with dd1 but I could feel them and they itched, I haven't had that this time

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsOtter · 13/04/2011 20:59

I am such a worrrier Sad

OP posts:
ThingOne · 13/04/2011 21:03

Just go to your doctor as soon as possible. It could be many things but you must get it checked. Yes, it is extremely unlikely to be cancer but it is possible. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer a few years ago after mentioning repeatedly through one pregnancy and for over a year afterwards that I had (mostly) small amount of bright red blood. I can't tell you how many times I was told it was "just piles". As I was obviously healthy and "young" with small children this was the most likely problem.

Given the level of your anxiety I would spell out your concerns to your GP and ask for a rectal examination. Be pushy. I wasn't and was left suffering far longer than I should have done. I am now pushy Grin.

QuickLookBusy · 13/04/2011 21:15

As you are so anxious, I would either phone NHS direct tonight, or phone the Drs tomorrow and insist on an emergency appointment. I think if you can manage to tell them you are bleeding, they will fit you in.

Thingone, hope you are well now.

Eaglebird · 13/04/2011 21:24

I'd ring your GP surgery first thing tomorrow and tell the receptionist that you're going away and would like to see a GP urgently before you go.

If you can't get an appointment, is there an NHS Walk-In Centre near you?
Or maybe there is one at your holiday destination? Seeing a doc before Monday will hopefully put your mind at ease so you can enjoy your break.

DancingThroughLife · 13/04/2011 22:39

Could I see it? It was like an elbow sticking out my arse! Grin

Seriously, it was big, then it went away and about 2 months later I started bleeding.

Saying that, it wasn't the first time I'd had this. First time I was at uni and had to go for a barium enema and all sorts to find out what was happening. They never worked it out. This time they didn't push that, but I'm still bfing and on examination they thought it was slowly healing piles. I'm very vigilant about this sort of thing now and always get myself into the GP at the first opportunity to be sure.

Thingone, that's always in the back of my mind if ever it returns. Hope you're better.

DancingThroughLife · 13/04/2011 23:18

And I think it may be on that note that I'll be namechanging... I've haven't shared this with anyone in rl.Blush Even DH only knows most of it

notsohappymummy · 15/04/2011 22:26

I had severe abdominal pain and bleeding, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis.
This has had a major impact on my life for the last 8 years. I have just had the first break away with my family where I haven't been ill.Please go and get checked out. I had a lovely GP who sent me for tests ASAP but it has taken 8 years and lots of different medication to get me here. I need to go to hospital every 8 weeks for treatment.
Methodsandmaterials
I wouldn't consider haemorroids and Ulcerative colitis to be the same by any means.

methodsandmaterials · 15/04/2011 23:14

I didn't say that notso. My point was that rectal bleeding is a symptom of both; not that they are comparable conditions.

tallulah · 16/04/2011 14:46

Come late to this thread but I had surgery last month for rectal cancer :( I am under 50, and only started noticing blood after I'd been referred for tests, so very late in the day. Mine was bright red, so it doesn't follow that it is OK.

I had blood tests for various things, had my stomach palpated- nothing showed up until I was finally referred to a specialist and had a barium enema. I was assured by 3 GPs that it was highly unlikely to be anything serious, but I kept going back. My GP rang to apologise when I got out of hospital, because it was something serious after all :(

PeachyPossum · 16/04/2011 16:29

Do get checked. I am under investigation for abdo pain, sickness, anal bleeding, regurgitation etc. I was found to have 3 polyps in my colon which is rare at my age and need treating/removal. They can't find what is wrong with me but it is so reassuring to know I am being tested looked after etc. If left the polyps could have become something nasty a couple of years down the line and I am so glad I pushed and pushed for tests.

I wish they could stop it all though :(

Best wishes xx

PersonalClown · 16/04/2011 16:38

Another late comer saying please get it checked.
FIL has/had Bowel cancer for the 4th time and the only symptom he had was bleeding.

There is a new test which involves putting poo on cards (how delightful) that tests for blood and something else which could be a sign.