Did I make the right choice?

[whattodowithpoo]

Hi everyone,

Bit of background: I've suffered with health anxiety (still suffer!) and since having some cbt a while back I have tried to manage my anxieties rather than allowing myself to spiral in to seeking constant reassurance through medical tests etc

Anyway... in the last 6 weeks I have had 3 bouts of diarrhoea. On Friday morning I had some hard stools and on Saturday had a normal morning poo BUT when I wiped there was blood on paper. Nowhere else as far as I could tell and streaks not loads. Next day had a poo of two halves first was 2 hard lumps marbles with white stuff and the second motion was fine. All fine since then too.

Went the GP today (sensible not panic) and he had a look. Saw a 'sore' patch and said due to symptoms I could either have cream and watch/wait or be referred for camera up bum. I chose the cream.

Did I do the right thing?!

Dr says I can come back anytime and get a referral and definitely should it diarrhoea keeps happening or more blood.

Tbh, one of the diarrhoea days was 3 hours after a stressful job interview (but was like water ) and another was 2 days after a heavy day of drinking. Can't remember the other one being related to anything.

Thanks for reading so much about my bum!

Sorry should say - sore patch was either an inflamed pile or a bruise of some sort he said.

I think it sounds like the watch and wait approach is sensible for now.

See how you get on over the next couple of weeks.
It's not uncommon to get short bouts of hard stool and loose stool very close together. Particularly if you have been stressed or eating/drinking differently from your usual routine.

Thanks foody! It's the blood tbh - very scary sight I've never turned down further investigations before so I'm just wondering if I have made a stupid decision and should run back to GP and ask for referral!

Sounds most likely that the blood (as it was fresh, streaks and not loads) is from a small graze due to hard stools..

This also is quite common.
Hang in there!

Yes, the idea of a colonoscopy doesn't fill me with joy.

it's just alien for me not to seek reassurance and turn down tests when offered but I guess if I get no other blood and my 'movements' go back to normal then it can't be anything serious can it?

Slight update on this. I've just wiped without having gone the toilet (to check!) and bright red blood on paper - not much but some. Do you think that as it was there without a motion that's a sign I should get checked or that the pile is just inflamed?

I've never had piles before so I have no idea what's normal or not!?

Trying not to panic so any advice or experience would be welcomed. Thanks

I had piles and there'd be bright red blood, mainly after going to the loo but sometimes I'd bleed when I didn't have a poo.
Get some cream for piles and see if it helps. Maybe you should go
To the doctors and they can confirm if it is a pile and you also may have internal piles.
I had a camera up my bum.. I had gas and air to relax me and it helped so much. It didn't hurt me, I was more embarrassed, until the gas and air and then I didn't have a care in the world:)

Thanks Tricksy, that's reassuring that you had some blood without. I think my checking a lot with paper (I try to pat not rub) might be irritating it. The Dr definitely said he could see a pile that was irritated and near the entrance . He didn't even need to do an internal.

He did offer the referral but also said he would be comfortable with me taking the cream seeing as he could see a plausible reason for the bleeding.

I think my bigger worry/question is if the bleeding stops with the cream then will I have missed anything by not taking the referral? My sensible brain says no, anything serious would carry on causing bother and giving symptoms, but my anxious brain can take over sometimes....

I really do appreciate everyone's input on this. I know my anxiety and bottom talk is probably the last thing you came on mumsnet for!

Haha, don't worry about it, my bum problems have been a talked about subject in my house for the past few weeks. I had piles that ended up being anal skin tags, so recently had them removed.
I've got health anxiety. I mentioned to the doctor about blood when I wiped, I knew it was down to being constipated at the time but the doctor said he wanted me to have the camera to check that I didn't have internal piles further up (he'd done the finger up the bum) but couldn't feel any.
I think it would be a good thing for you to have the camera, because if you have internal piles that are bleeding, once your external pile is healed, seeing blood again will set off your anxiety. I was dreading it, I was embarrassed about getting my arse out but the staff were lovely and they see it every single day! My bowel habits sometimes change when I'm anxious, as well as the night after drinking! I think the camera will give you peace of mind.
Toilet paper aggravated my piles. I found that having a bath after a poo and then putting some cream on helped. Whatever you do, do not get constipated! That's why all my issues started.
I hope your bum is soon on the mend:) x

Well done for writting a calm, thoughts gathered post. For looking at your symptoms from different angles. I have extream health anxiety and I know how difficult it can be. Even to write the post and wait for people's responses can be extremely stressfull for me.

As somebody who is an outsider and NOT YOU! I feel you made the right decision. Would I have made that decision? Depends on how well i was dealing with the health anxiety at the time. In the past I have been so anxious about one thing and then I have found something else to worry about, rationalised the first problem and stopped worrying about it and moved onto the next problem!

Again well done for your newfound calmness!

Thanks again! I'm really trying to put in to practice my learning from cbt. And I know my constant cycle of seeking more reassurance rather than 'testing' my anxious thoughts is important etc but it's easier said than done! particularly when you're bleeding from the bum!

But. If it was serious it would carry on or happen again. Wouldn't it?

If it's no longer happening after my period finishes (hasn't started yet due to worry..!) then I'll move on. If it's still happening or any other bowel symptom I'll get a referral.

Tell me that's sensible!? I'm still learning what's reasonable behaviour if you're NOT anxious because I still am but trying to change behaviour etc etc

I think your approach is very sensible. A week or two won't make much difference and might save you a colonoscopy which is not the nicest thing in the world.
Try and keep your poos soft in the meantime and don't wipe too much. Maybe buy some moist toilet tissue? It's nice and gentle.

I kept bleeding because of the piles, at first I was in panic mode, but after speaking to the doctor and knowing it was all down to the piles, it didn't panic me when there was blood when I wiped.
I think if you try suppositories (in case you have internal piles) and get cream for external ones, don't get constipated, it should ease off.
You should notice a difference and the blood should stop. I suffered for a long time with them so I sort of recognised the cycle, more blood If I was constipated etc.
I recommend the moist fragrance free wipes. Constant wiping with toilet roll used to make it so sore

That's what I'm thinking - this is the first time this has happened to me and the dr can see a reason for it. If it carries on then I think it's sensible to get it checked BUT if it stops within a few days then it can't be serious. At least that's my non medical view

Reassuring to hear other people's experiences and view on this - helping me work out the 'normal' way to deal with this.

Everything I've read and heard from others says that serious issues would continue to produce symptoms so I hope that's true! (Although I hope I don't continue to have them obviously)

Will check in tomorrow and the next few days to update you all in bottomgate

I was in your position... went for the colonoscopy just in case! Not too bad with gas and air, mine turned out to be IBS but it was a relief to say the least

Had yours gone on for. While cupcakes? Or did you think it was worth getting the peace of mind straight away?

Well just before bed I saw 2 small drops of blood on paper when I patted it to check.

Interesting that I mentioned all this to a friend and said I'd chosen watch and wait before referral whose first reaction was 'what are you waiting for?!'

Maybe try a different approach.

Get the tests but approache the waiting for the tests differently.

I have thought about that shower gel and I may still do that, but colonoscopy isn't without risks and it's not nice so I know I'd be worried about it. Although absolutely would have one if it was needed. I'm just so tired of constantly seeking the ultimate 'answer' or proof that I'm well, I really want to break the cycle.

I can go to my GP to get a referral anytime, he's a great GP and offered either choice saying he was 'comfortable' with both.

If I don't have any more symptoms after a few days does this mean it couldn't be anything serious - as that would continue? If so, I'm happy to wait a week or so rather than rush for referral.

If a lack of symptoms in a week still means I could have something serious then I suppose I'll have to get referred anyway.

Sorry, this is more stream of consciousness as I work through my head battles!

I've NC for this but didn't want to read 'n' run.

I have similar issues, OP. Health anxiety + what you might describe as IBS symptoms. I've had the blood on the paper too. In my case, it comes from over-zealous wiping with toilet paper.

What you could do is give it another couple of days and see how you go with the cream, and see if you have any more system upsets on the loo.

Try not to test with needless additional wiping, as you're just going to aggravate the sore area.

If you think about it - sorry - any raw or aggravated area down there isn't going to heal instantly or overnight, as it's subject to movement whenever you have a, er, movement. Plus potential further aggravation from toilet paper. (I'm not trying to be flippant here, I just seem to be walking into the double-entendres.)

Also, you wiped without having been to the loo, just to check. That's going to aggravate you because you haven't been to the toilet. Loo paper is designed to wipe when there's something to wipe, if you see what I mean.

My GP said to me, if symptoms are light and they come and go it's not likely to be anything serious. Serious things build up and get worse - sometimes slowly, sometimes more quickly - but always a progression.

I use aloe vera loo paper and also those moist - hate that word - toilet wipes to be gentle on myself. It normally heals up within two or three days and I'm fine afterwards.

And, if you do get referred, you may not get a full colonoscopy. They only do that if the blood is darker, I believe, or if there are other factors - family histories especially in people under 50, and so on. When the GP talks about the 'camera up the bum test' (mine uses the exact same phrase) I believe they mean something which I think is called a flexi-sigmoidoscopy (I could be wrong here, but this was my take on the conversations I had). It's less invasive because it doesn't go as far in. They're just looking for piles, inflammation, that kind of thing.

With the HA, fight against the 'oh what if they've missed so-and-so by not doing the test' thinking - that's the unanswerable, insidious shit that triggers full-on health anxiety spirals. Trust me, I know, I've been there. Trust your GP's advice, and their body language too - they are trying to reassure you.

Remember Jurassic Park? The scene early on where the keeper is showing Sam Neill and Laura Dern the velociraptors, and they talk about the creature 'testing the fences' in different areas to work out weak spots? Health anxiety is the velociraptor. It stalks around your head, poking at different bits of knowledge and information - the fences - to try and find a weak link in the chain. If you let it get one, it'll break out and run amok. The trick is to not let it, by building strong fences.

Mine had gone on for a while, but not as bad - there was constant blood and pain and that was what rushed me to the GP.

Colonoscopy understandably isn't the first thing people jump to do, but I needed to know that everything was okay... it's whatever you're comfortable with, but for me, it can stop suddenly, but then come back again suddenly - perks of having IBS I suppose. I'm just glad I know otherwise I have a healthy gut! 😂

Sammy that is SO helpful, thank you that's exactly how it feels - anxiety always trying to creep in with 'what ifs' and I'm trying so hard to break the cycle. If I do it this time, maybe it will help next time as I've tested my self etc

And you're right, checking isn't helping (does it ever...!?!)

I know logically that waiting until I've had my next period and maybe a week after to see if symptoms have gone isn't going to make a huge difference if there's something else more serious going on. In some ways I'm reassured that my GP offered the choice rather than dismissing it as has happened before with other things and then I get the 'what if' going round my head more!

Anxiety is the bloody bane of my life

I know the information campaigns are intended to help but they do cause me further anxiety - any bleeding must be investigated and only a colonoscopy can rule out cancer etc etc...

It sounds like you have a good grip on your anxiety - good for you! That's what I'm aiming for and chats like this really help

Thanks cupcake - that's also reassuring, that make me think that I could see if it happens again once settled and if it does ask for the referral then. This is the first time it has happened and I do have an obviously sore bit where the GP says he saw a pile so it stacks up to being that at the moment.

I'm actually doing much better than I have done on other occasions of illness!

Yep, health anxiety is a right fucker, frankly. I don't know if I've got a handle on it, as such, but I have accepted that it is something I do to myself sometimes. If I frame it that way, it helps because I know my brain has created it, so my brain can destroy it too. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't, but I do tend to be calmer now, even when I'm fretting.

I also try to remember all the ghastly diseases and illnesses I've diagnosed myself with over the last few years. How many of them did I end up having? None. Zero. Nought percent. So the chances of this next one being the one that turns out to be true? Those chances get smaller every time. So over time, I worry less.

I think the fact that you feel that you're doing better now than you would have done in the past is a good sign. It shows all those hours of CBT and whatever other effort you put into beating it into submission had an impact.

I've weaned myself off checking now and it does help a lot. A lot. No more Dr Google, because Dr Google is a really shit doctor. In fact, Dr Google is Chicken Lickin; a mad, panicking hysteria merchant who leaps to ridiculous conclusions with scant evidence. And no medical degree.

Those health campaigns and information leaflets are harsh, but they're a blunt instrument. My GP said to me that the symptoms list is to get people - especially people in the risk factor age bracket - to self-identify.

Don't forget, as well, that this isn't an one-or-the-other situation. Don't get trapped into thinking 'if it goes away it's nothing, if it doesn't it's the worst possible outcome'. That just puts pressure on your bum to behave! And it isn't the right way to think about this - there are several far more likely explanations for what you've experienced, even if it does reoccur.

You are 100% right!

Though, I did laugh at my automatic thought when reading the bit about either or thinking. When you wrote don't get caught up thinking that if it goes away it's nothing my head stopped there and went 'what?!' 'Shit! So even if it goes away then I might have some dreadful disease but not be aware of it!?!'

And I'm writing the above and laughing to myself, with still a little bit of me going 'is that possible' sigh. Keep on keeping on...