bowel bleeding (tmi?) - reassurance please!

[amanxious]

Hi all.
I've had bad piles for the past few years not being helped by childbirth. It's not unusual that I get bleeding but it's normally the bright red kind that makes it obvious it's piles. But this past year it could sometimes be a deeper red and, more recently, it's mixed in with the bm (sorry!) and twice I've notice mucus following.

When it 1st happened, GP gave an internal and didn;t seem worried. I mentioned it again in a 2nd visit but I think she thinks it's anxiety. I saw a different doc today and also mentioned my dad died of colorectal cancer (age 65) and 2 of my sisters have had polyps removed. She's referred me to a specialist who will determine what further investigation is needed. I feel better about this.

Also pointing out i have lower abdominal pain that's been around for about 6 months. It was worse when i had the mucus the other day but not sure if it's related. Otherwise, not losing weight, feel ok but anxious.My sis (38) had a polyp removed not long ago but also has bad piles. could this just be piles that are 'higher up'?

Has anyone here been referred for similar?

You have done the right thing by going back to the doctor. I don't have any medical experience, so can't reassure you, but hopefully someone knowledgeable will come along soon.

Oh i really feel for you. A few years ago i had what i thought were piles (and i did have them too) but what i actually had was fissures which are basically tears in your rectum. They are as painful as they sound and i had blood mixed with my bm's too. Its bloody painful when you go to the loo and i wasn't able to sit down for hours at a time every day, i got these from having chronic IBS.

Its great that you are being referred to a specialist who will sort this out in no time so try not to worry.Because i suffer from IBS and am always either constipated or have 'the other' thats why i got two nasty and unbelievably painful tears, fybogel was my best friend. I ended up having an operation to close them and was fine (until i had my DS last Feb now have piles again

Try not to worry it doesn't sound too serious and your consultant will sort it out. and put your mind at rest. Good luck

Hi

Try not to panic, there's alot of things this could be, the specialist is probably going to need to take a look up there with a flexible camera (colonoscopy), he/she may take some samples. They are normally nothing to worry about, it's standard practice. There is something called diverticulitis, they are just small pockets in the wall of the intestine, similar to polyps but make an indent in the lining rather then a bubble IYSWIM, they can fill up with poop, become inflamed and bleed a little, a high fibre diet really does help, as does avoiding foods with seeds inside (tomatoes etc) as the seeds can easily become stuck. Polyps are also a possible cause. You don't really get piles higher up then the anus as the insestines are really well covered. The specialist may check for other conditions such as crohnes (sp?) and ulcerative colitis which can also account for some of your symptoms, as well as IBS so there's a number of things it could be. I know that you have said there's a history of cancer in your family, to try not to panic though, this is really rare and it's more then likely to be something that is really easily sorted. They can remove polyps during a colonoscopy.

I get exactly the same as you OP: abdominal pain and bleeding. My GP referred me, as there's a family history of colerectal cancer, but nothing was found (I had a colonoscopy).

Thanks to all of you, I actually do feel better reading your posts. I have to remember there are other conditions with similar symptoms, so thank you for reminding me.

And, thanks for the 's.

CastleDouglas, glad to see you had nothing found from the colonoscopy.