Bleeding with IBS. Please reassure me!

[ChiquititaCat]

I've suffered with bowel issues for 4+ years now, mainly loose stools, and occassional bleeding. About three years ago I had a sigmoidoscopy to check this out and was told my bowels were perfect, no issues, but they found internal hemorrhoids which they said caused the occassional bleeding. Other symptoms I suffer with is (TMI) itchy anus after flare up and sometimes mucus).

Tbh generally speaking my symptoms are annoying but manageable and the flare ups come and go.

I haven't seen a doctor about this for some time, so I went to see a GP today just to check nothing should be investigated further (I'm in the midst of a flare up). It was more of a precaution, but it was a different lady to whom I usually see who thought I should have more investigation done to check again for IBD and cancer. This REALLY set off my health anxiety which I used to suffer with.

I asked her if cancer was likely and she said 'less likely, but not unlikely'. English wasn't her first language so not sure if it's just a turn of phrase for her, but this really panicked me, because pretty much every doctor has told me that this is extremley unlikely! :(

If you have any reassurance to offer please do! I am 27 by the way.

It’s not unheard of but it’s not common. She can’t rule it out.
I presume you’ve got to have blood tests and provide stool samples especially to see if there’s blood in your stool. If there is hopefully you’ll be referred on the two week pathway and find out what’s causing the problems.
I went through all of this and found out it was ulcerative colitis
So don’t panic but do push for the tests to find out the cause

Thanks! She just said a stool sample and she said she mainly wanted to check for IBD. I'm just confused because I had the sigmoidoscopy before! Really making me anxious

Did you do a stool sample before, when you had the sigmoidoscopy?

The sigmoidoscopy doesn't go very far in, it's possible you could have had inflammation that either wasn't visible because it was further in than the camera went, or that it was microscopic or within the layers of the bowel tissue rather than on the internal surface. Did they take any biopsies?

Just a GP being efficient- most likely is nothing to worry about but given 1 in 2 people get cancer you’re lucky to have a GP who wants you checked thoroughly.

No, no stool sample then! This will be my first one. And they didn't take any biopsies at the time as they said everything looks perfect.

I am trying not to worry but health anxiety always convinces me of the worst case scenario !

I saw the GP with bloating and constipation and she also sent my stool off for testing as a precaution.

Hopefully they are just being extra cautious!

3 years ago re the test is a long time in terms of what can happen. If you’re still having the bleeding it’s good to be cautious and make sure it’s nothing sinister. Obviously it’s worrying but it’s good they’re being careful (I lost my Mum and Gran to bowel cancer and they didn’t find it until it was very advanced, so early detection is everything)!

Sorry sure you know this, but brown blood is old blood and red fresh so could be haemorrhoids? I'm no expert but am relieved if it's bright red. Always best to get checked out xx

Hey thanks - yes - it's always bright red when it does happen. I was told my internal haemorrhoids were causing this!

Sorry you’re going through this, but you just need to have the tests. There are all sorts of things that can cause this (btw I’m not medically qualified) but even if it is cancer you need to find out as soon as possible do that you can get the best treatment. Probably it’s not, you’re so young, but even if it is it’s treatable if caught early. If it’s, idk, colitis, or something you also need treatment because it isn’t normal and you are poorly.

I am exactly like you -worry and my mind works overtime.
My mother had symptoms where she was passing blood. ( quite a lot) Had colonoscopy etc. Turns out she has colitis.
I used to work in the health profession and doctors can be abrupt and simply don’t realise the anxiety it can trigger to people.
Doctors say to hundreds of patients everyday that they have to rule out cancer.
It’s unlikely you have got anything sinister. Just please try not to worry!
Oh and don’t be asking Dr. Google. You could Google about your little finger and the word cancer would pop up.
Get checked and you will feel better when your results are ok. 👍

Thanks so much! It’s so frustrating because I’m so upset but nothing bad has happened - I’m just worrying myself to death.

I will definitely do the tests again, but I am struggling with coping whilst it’s happening.

Another with Ulcerative Colitis here. It began at a similar age to you with passing lots of bright red blood, so whilst not great, it was reassuring to not be cancer. I have haemorrhoids too, so that is sometimes the cause of my bleeding.

Good luck, I hope you get results soon.

Thank you! I never have a lot of bleeding, and only once every few months during a IBS flare up so we’ll see! I’m struggling to stop panicking though. You are right, it’s relief it’s not cancer. I’m sorry you had to go through that though

Hey OP, just wondering if you have an update on this? Experiencing something similar and waiting for further tests to be done @ChiquititaCat