rectal bleeding - do I HAVE to see GP?

[monicafalulageller]

would rather avoid if I can, I was seriously sexually assaulted not long ago and can't cope with the thought of someone being down there.

Have had diarrhoea for weeks and weeks - just pure liquid, 5 or 6 times a day every day . I'm now bleeding as well (when I go to the loo) and I'm very sore . I'm guessing it's piles or I've torn a blood vessel or something but it's playing on my mind .

Had bloods done last week and GP put their hand on my belly (due to fainting/lightheadedness) which hurt like hell, but didn't tell them about the upset stomach/bleeding - they did say bloods were all off (CRP and WBC) .

I need to be honest with the dr don't I? I can't cope with the thought of someone being 'there' .

Why didn't you tell them about the diarrhea?

You do I'm afraid lovely, and as soon as possible. Is there a friend or relative you trust who could go with you if it's allowed? x

Yes please.. Tell your GP... Allow them to make an informed judgement

I was too scared they'd want to examine, and have been trying to convince myself it's absolutely nothing/treating with immodium but it's not really stopping .

Firstly I'm so sorry you were assaulted

My advice would be to book a gp apt, and explain you would like a female GP and a chaperone if that is possible as it's an intimate problem. If it doesn't feel too embarrassing, could you bring a trusted friend along to the apt if this is allowed at the moment?

I have ulcerative colitis (not suggesting this is what you have) and this definitely needs medical attention.

Good luck Op and I hope you feel better soon.

Please tell your GP, but if you can, please also tell them about what happened to you and how anxious it is making you, so that they can try to make it easier for you.

You do, but completely understand why you didn't mention it previously. Would you be able to ask to speak to the doctor on the phone, beforehand, explain the bleeding and say you are uneasy about being examined due to the assault, so would like to make them aware of it so that they can be as sensitive as possible during the examination?

So sorry for you, but you know you need to see the doctor and tell them everything really, don't you. Get a female doctor, and explain your issues up front. I hope they are empathetic and the outcome not as bad as it could be.

Yes you really do.

I have Crohn’s disease so I have had plenty of experience of the tests they’re likely to send you for. Explain to your GP what has been going on, and why you are nervous about being examined. You’re likely to be referred to a general surgeon for investigation, but you can be chaperoned and if there is one you can ask for a female surgeon.

Good luck

The bleeding is probably a side-effect of the diarrhea, but diarrhea for weeks really isn't something you can ignore. Would it help to make an appointment just to tell the GP, and if they suggest an exam say you're nervous and want to make a separate appointment for that?

I am a GP and I would urge you to please see your GP about this. It’s one of those things that could be something serious, or not serious at all, but you really shouldn’t ignore it.

Please feel that you can be honest with the dr about your anxiety over an intimate examination. The last thing they will want to do is make you feel worse and they can work with you to make any necessary examination as easy as possible for you. If you absolutely can’t face it, tell them. It is better that you are partially assessed than not at all.
Maybe ask for a female or male doctor if you have a preference and a double appointment if possible so there is less time pressure.
You can also have a chaperone present if that makes things easier for you.

Your GP is a professional and your wellbeing is their priority.

All the best. And so sorry that you have had such a horrible experience that is making your current symptoms even more difficult for you.

@Dashie, you sound like a lovely, kind, empathetic GP. I hope that your words will help to encourage the OP to seek help.

With those other symptoms then yes you do I’m afraid, definitely.

You can ask for a female GP and a chaperone if that would make it any easier for you. I’m sure you could refuse to have an intimate physical examination (it’s a finger inside your bottom) but it might make it a lot harder for them to diagnose or rule out haemorrhoids. As you’ve been having diarrhoea for weeks it sounds like something else is going on too though. I’m not a doctor (or any sort of medical professional) but I have had similar investigations before.

I hope everything goes OK and I’m so sorry about what happened to you

@Dashie

I am a GP and I would urge you to please see your GP about this. It’s one of those things that could be something serious, or not serious at all, but you really shouldn’t ignore it.

Please feel that you can be honest with the dr about your anxiety over an intimate examination. The last thing they will want to do is make you feel worse and they can work with you to make any necessary examination as easy as possible for you. If you absolutely can’t face it, tell them. It is better that you are partially assessed than not at all.
Maybe ask for a female or male doctor if you have a preference and a double appointment if possible so there is less time pressure.
You can also have a chaperone present if that makes things easier for you.

Your GP is a professional and your wellbeing is their priority.

All the best. And so sorry that you have had such a horrible experience that is making your current symptoms even more difficult for you.

Thank you

My friend's children both have UC and when she described their symptoms a while ago I realised what set alarm bells off for her is basically what's happening to me - every time I eat I'm running back to the loo for half an hour .

I'll give the surgery a ring on Monday morning and see what they say, thank you .

I will just add regarding the examination itself (and I definitely don't mean to make light of your assault in this respect so please don't interpret my comment in this way, I just want to give you some reassurance ) it is really not that bad physically and it's over very quickly.

I say this as someone who had symptoms for years and avoided seeing the doctor because I was so afraid of having the rectal exam. When I finally was examined this way, I was surprised how painless and quick it was.

Sweet be upfront with them about everything. You MUST tell them, IF there is a serious problem the sooner it's diagnosed the better. It's not fun living with Diarrhoea short term when you have a bug, let alone all this time. Please go get yourself checked properly.

Please go, I saw GP last week about painful down below, literally 10 second look and a 10 second feel in anus, confirmed pile, although no bleeding, was asked if a needed chaperone, but I didn’t as she was a female GP.

Thank you AlexaShutUp that is really kind.

Monica, if you think it might be easier maybe write some notes to have ready for the phone call.
You can do it. And you will feel better that you are getting the support you need

Dashie you sound like a fabulous doctor.
Monica do ring the GP on Monday

I was recently diagnosed with colitis after weeks of diarrhoea. I didn't get examined by the GP. I had to have a colonoscopy but with sedation by gastroenterologist. I knew nothing about it and woke up afterwards. Recommend this if a colonoscopy is recommended for you.

Take care xx