bowels

[hestor]

Hi,am a regular but just changed my nickname for this as family don't know anything yet.Not child related-sorry.I'm worried as Dh has been bleeding from th back passage again.It happened 6 yrs ago when polyps were found.This time at the weekend he lost a clot and lots of bright red blood.He's 37 and has been very tired lately as well.Has an appointment with GP next week.All I can think of is the worst,it's horrible having to wait so long to find out anything like last time.I just wonder if there's anyone here who may know about these things and what it could be?

hestor, I'm sorry you're so worried about your husband - is there any way the GP could see him earlier given his history, current symptoms & your worries? I would try to get an earlier appointment. I've been eulogising about the joys of The Bowel Book (A self-help guide for sufferers: Michael Levitt, ISBN 019850858 1, OUP) on another thread..because I think bottom problems need to be brought 'out' into the open so we're not so embarrassed by them. I think broadly the possibilities could include haemorrhoids or polyps again - anything more serious is very rare but I'd hope they could cut through the bureaucracy, given that dh has been down this road before. do you live in/near London? I remember meeting a terrific guy at St George's, some years back, called Roger Leicester who ran a drop-in clinic (dunno if it's still running) for patients just like your dh. good luck, x

Hestor
Sounds awful - fingers crossed for you and hubby. Let us know what happens and I would also try and get a sooner appt.

I have also been bleeding a little from that area (on and off). I am too embarrassed to go to my GP about it - but I know I should. I had piles after dd but thats >1 yr ago. Its only a tiny amount (bright red) - whats the general rule of thumb about visiting your GP in this case...
btw I have parent history of bowel cancer in 50's

My GP is a youngish bloke who I get on so well with I would be so embarrassed about this..!!

hestor, here's a link to some stuff on bottoms which you might find useful - it mentions Roger Leicester.
forgot to say - the fatigue may be due to anaemia resulting from the rectal bleeding.

RadioGirl - do go & see a doctor about this, I'm sure they see loads of it - having a primary or blood relative with bowel cancer statistically increases your own risk - even though it's still small - so just march in there, tell him it's a bit embarrassing and ask him what happens - eg what an examination would involve, whether you'd prefer someone else to do it etc, make it businesslike & practical but please do it! embarrassingproblems.com is a good website for all this sort of stuff.

Radiogirl - Please do go and get this checked. I also have a family history of bowel cancer and am currently getting checked out as I have had bleeding recently. I also have haemorrhoids (sp?) - the bright red blood could be down to that but until they take a look it's hard to be sure. Depending on your age they will take the family history very seriously (I was recommended to be checked 15 years before the age my family member was diagnosed with it). If your embarassed to see your regular GP you can always ask to see someone else - I did as it meant a quicker appointment and I could then see a woman GP.

Hestor - no real advice I'm afraid, but lots of sympathy, it's horrid waiting for information. As bundle says, I would try and get an earlier appointment.

Hestor, know how you feel. But at least your DH is being responsible about it and that's the surest way of getting things fixed. XX

RadioGirl.
First Rule - go and get it checked.
My view is that even though we are embarrassed about these sorts of things - the GP has seen it all before.
Whenever I have an appointment that I am rather embarrassed about I think how fortunate the GP is to have me as a patient - I could be 65 and hairy and smelly
Go and put your mind at rest - could just be that a change of diet is required.
Good Luck Thinking of you.

RadioGirl - sounds very much like anal fissures to me - small cuts/tears in the back passage - generally caused by a lack of fibre or not enough fluid but occasionally just by a large, bulky stool. Do go and get it checked by a GP of course, just hoping to de-stress you after the mentions of bowel cancer and haemorrhoids (sp? too but agreeing with incognito so maybe we're right!)

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.I remember last time it was the waiting to see a specialist at the hospital that took the time last time.I hope it's jsut something similar to what he had before.
Hi Bundle and thanks for the link which I'll check out.And for your kind words.We're a long way from London.
Radiogirl I think you should always check out these things.I don't know how much blood loss you get but I get a tiny bit now and again but am sure it's only from a pile from childbirth and it doesn't go in the toilet(isn't this pleasant).
I will let you know the outcome whenever it is.
Incognito thanks for the sympathy and good luck with your appointment,hope everyhting will be ok for you.
Thanks Crystaltips for your thoughts.

Hestor - fingers crossed. Please let us know.

Thanks everyone. I guess you've just spurred me on to make an appt. I've been meaning to go to get some moles checked out also so if I get my period (ttcing at the mo and last time I got a mole cut off by the GP I needed a shot) which is due next week then I will head in to him to get the 2 things seen to !

Have to keep thinking I could be hairly smelly sweaty and dirty !

Radiogirl and others,just back to let you know of the outcome at GP's.He had an examination and GP said it was some bad heamerroids and so gave him some suppositories.He has no need to see a specialist this time so no worries I guess.Thanks for the messages and Radiogirl have you made an appointment ?

hestor - glad to hear that dh has nothing serious. Hope the suppositories work - what fun for him

What news RadioGirl ? Hope all's well - have been thinking of you.