Sorry this is a bit long!
About five years ago I developed what I thought was a pile, it was reasonably small and would pop out when I went to the toilet and the back in just by squeezing. Didn’t really think much of it.
A year later I had a baby and developed more piles during pregnancy that would hang out of my bum. I had a bit of a complicated labour. Back to back baby and a LOT of hard pushing (around 90 mins). After this I noticed the pile was much more prominent and it appeared to get bigger, but I just ignored it as I was completely overwhelmed by having a baby and it seemed like a low priority.
After the labour, I also had a vaginal prolapse which then developed into a bit of a phobia about pushing when going to the toilet so I started using suppositories which really helped. I also started having abdo/pelvic pain.
I had a transvaginal ultrasound re the pelvic pain. Nothing showed up. They said possible endometriosis but would need a laparoscopy.
Last year I finally got around to having the pile looked at. My GP referred me to a consultant who examined me and told me that it was a fibrous polyp and that it would need to be removed ‘at some point’ he seemed very relaxed about it and said he definitely didn’t think I needed a colonoscopy but that I could have a pelvic CT scan to put my mind at rest re the pelvic pain. I had the CT scan and it came back normal. Great, I thought! And pretty much put it on the back burner again.
Anyway today I finally went for my initial meeting re having it removed (different consultant). He examined me and said it was much larger than the other consultant had indicated in the letter. I know it hasn’t grown a huge amount over the last yr as I feel it every day! He also said that I need a colonoscopy and that this definitely should have been done a year ago! We discussed the CT and he said oh well you can’t see everything on those anyway and then solemnly asked me if there was a history of bowel cancer in my family!
I came away feeling quite shocked. I appreciate that they are investigating but I feel sick that I should’ve had a colonoscopy a year ago and that I have this persistent abdominal pain which has never been identified.
My stools can go between normal, loose and constipated and have for a long time. I do take a codeine based medication which I think can account for the constipation. I often feel like I can’t empty my bowel properly do have to use a suppository. I’d say I have to use one 3-4 times a week. Very occasionally (maybe once every few months) I see a small amount of blood but this always follows a large bowel movement which I think irritates the polyp. I guess this a good thing that I’m really not seeing a lot of blood?
I’m basically really scared about what they might find. The fact that the doctor today seemed rather concerned compared with the one a year ago who was really quite blasé.
Can anyone relate to this? My abdo pains have been particularly awful today - probably exacerbated by the worry. I feel really scared.