I am a 43 y/o wife and mother who had a colonoscopy nearly 3 years ago as part of diagnostic testing for gastroparesis. At that time, I had a 8 mm polyp removed (non-neoplastic) and chronic inflammation indicative of Crohn's. No treatment was ever rendered for "Crohn's" as I started having issues with constipation. I had a sitz marker test that showed slow transit of the colon. An anorectal manometry was done in 8/08 that indicated pelvic floor dysfunction. I had issues with constipation through October, when I suddenly began having "normal" BM's on a nearly basis (after suffering 2.5 years of one BM every 3-4 days). Woo Hoo! Unfortunately, I started noticing blood mixed in with the stool and after wiping. I went to my PCP after an episode. She performed a DRE and did a brief examination with a scope (I think it was an anuscope?) and saw nothing. I'm presuming she did a test to see if there was occult blood evident, but she never said one way or another. Anyway, the PCP said I needed to see my GI-with "urgent" marked on the referral. Saw the GI and a colonscopy is scheduled for 12/30. Unfortunately, I was doing some economic stimulus last Tuesday and went to the restroom only to find ALOT of blood on the tissue and in my underpants--but did not have a BM prior to seeing the blood--which really startled me. I called the GI, whose nurse said that I "know" my body and to go to ER if it persisted. Fortunately, it hasn't, but I can't help but be concerned--especially with the newer happenings.
Would a sitz marker test or anorectal manometry detect CC? Am I crazy to be concerned? I have no family history of colon cancer. My labs last month showed mild anemia.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
First, you are NOT CRAZY to be concerned. You would be crazy if you ignored this. I cannot speak on the sitz marker test or anorectal manometry detect CC. I do not know anything about them.
I can tell you about my sister, though. This is not to scare you, but alerting you to what may lie ahead. My sister had a couple of episodes of something like what you're talking about. After the second time of showing lots of blood, she went to her dr, GP I believe. He referred her to specialists and an MRI was done shortly after and "showed a mass in her abdomen." They tested some polyps they took out and I'm not sure if they were cancerous or not. However, she did have a cancerous tumor growing outside her colon. She had the tumor taken out and after some time to recover from the surgery, she is not undergoing 6 months of chemotherapy.
She is basically just starting chemo, so I don't know much about how it is effecting her. She lives in PA, so I do not get to see her often. I hope my post does not scare you, but just gets you to follow through. My sister last had a colonoscopy 8 years ago. Good luck and hopefully your situation will not be this serious. Lucy
Lucy's right, Mom, any change in bowel habits should be investigated, you aren't crazy to be concerned.
The two tests you mentioned are to determine blood flow and muscle strength in the anal and rectal bowel, and wouldn't show cancer. The mild anemia may be a clue to bowel problems, too, indicating a slow persistant blood loss leading up to the current problems. Please let us know how the scope goes, and what you find out.
Hi Mom.....It certainly is n fun when something like this happens. There are so many thoughts that go through our heads with worry. I do feel for you.
My sister went through something similar and in the end it turned out that she had hemorrhoids that would periodically bleed..and a lot. She was relieved! They were internal and not spotted by her General Practitioner.
She was so worried about colon cancer as there is a strong family history.
Very good that you are getting the attention that you need to get this all sorted out and will be thinking of you on the 30th. Let us know please. Take good care..Shari
Bonusmom,
Just want to say you are in my prayers. As you know, I had an abdominal ultrasound on Wed. and a CAT scan yesterday due to an abnormality on my kidneys. I am feeling very scared, thinking about the possibilites. So......I know how you feel and am so sorry you are going through this. I guess we will both know soon enough what we are dealing with. Please keep us updated.
Anna
Hi BonusMom :)
I also think you are right to be concerned but please try not to think the worst because it may not be. It's excellent that you are getting a colonoscopy so quickly and hopefully will know what the score is by the end of the month.
My son passed blood, was concerned, had a colonoscopy after no piles could be found and we were all worried sick. He was eventually told that he was bleeding through little fissures because he was 'tighter' than he should have been but there was no cancer and no polyps. He just has to watch his diet and take laxatives if he gets the least bit constipated. I know he still bleeds sometimes.
Hoping for the best and a benign explanation.
Take care - Scottie :)
Hi Bonusmom,
I pray all goes well on the 30th, I will be thinking of you.
Hugs, Pooh
Hi Mom
Like Shari, I too had a lot of bleeding in the pan, unrelated to a bm and it turned out to be internal piles. These were injected and did not cause any more problems.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathyx
I'm frustrated they gave you an "urgent" referral without telling you why.
Goodness gracious! This is more than a little scary and maybe it shouldn't be. Maybe they think it's hemorrhoids and wrote "urgent" as a courtesy to get you in sooner. Or maybe they suspect it's cancer and didn't want to scare you? If that's the case, it didn't work.
Since I'm a "glass half empty" kind of gal, I'm going go the prayer route.
Bonus, I am praying that you are well in this area and will get that confirmed ASAP.
Love and support to you,
Janna
I'm glad you're going in this week. This could be just a bleeding benign polyp of some kind (my MIL had one to bleed once, and she checked out fine.) We all want you to find out what is going on; the suspense is so hard when you don't know. In the meantime, I'll pray for you, too. Hang in there!
Cheryl
As someone who has experience a lot of problems in that area I can tell you to relax, make a gastro appointment, don't even bother with your GP. More then likely it is an internal hemorrhoid, don't think of the worst case scenario.
Hi BonusMom...I'm also sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way. I hope you get the answers soon as I also know the frustration of waiting!
We can all tell you to not worry and that it is probably nothing, but it still runs through your head...its normal. I am glad that they got you in so soon though...so you can get some answers faster! Please keep us updated on how you are doing and how the test goes!
Anna...I hope you get your test results soon too.....the waiting is the hardest part! Please let us know as well!
Hi Bonus mom,
Yes, I had a similar (and dang scary) episode about 4 years ago at age 38, What it turned out to be for me was a large but non-cancerous ovarian tumor pressing my colon shut, causing bad constipation, which caused bad internal hemorrhoids, which caused the bleeding. Glad they are attending you quickly with this test. There are lots of causes for this kind of bleeding that are not cancer, so there is a good chance it is not going to be bad news. However, I know that doesn't help much when you are on this side of the test..
Thank you, everyonr for sharing your experiences with me. Last night I was playing board games with the family and suddenly felt as though I was going to faint. I was quite surprised. I can't say that I was actually dizzy, more like the room was spinning. I have not changed my meds and had eaten a nice meal just an hour previously. I am still feeling "off" this morning. I don't know if it's related to the rectal bleeding, but I'll be calling the PCP shortly.
Hi BonusMum
Sorry to hear about your dizzy turn. Glad you're phoning your PCP. Keep us posted!
Take care - Scottie :)
BonusMom and Anna-
You are both in my thoughts and prayers for the very best results in both cases. I hope the New Year treats you both very well and the news is good on both fronts.
Tracy
Good news to end 2008 on......Crohn's causing the bleeding. Not what I want to deal with, but certainly the lesser of two evils. Happy (and healthy) New Year everyone!
Hi and wonderful news for you :) My friends daughter has Crohns and has treatment (and diet) which manages the condition really well.
All the best, Lesley (NZ)
Hi BonusMom!
I'm glad to hear that it's not colon cancer. That's great news! I am sorry that it is Crohn's. I myself am a Crohnie as well diagnosed since May 07. It is manageable though with the proper meds and diet. The tricky part can be finding the right meds that work for you, it is pretty much trial and error as with the diet part. I am currently on Humira and also taking fish oil and so far so good. On the diet aspect, I definitely recommend keeping a food diary, noting anything and everything you eat, drink, etc., this will help in finding what foods might aggravate your symptoms. For me, I can pretty much eat whatever I want, it's all in the amount I eat. I have to eat very little amounts at a time in order to keep my flares in check.
Most importantly, listen to your body and keep your doctor informed of any and all symptoms, this will help your doctor find the right treatment that works for you.
www.crohnsforum.com--May I recommend an excellent forum, for support and tons of information. I, myself am a member of this one also. Drop by and read, you will learn a lot and gets tons of useful information. Just remember, Crohn's is a very individual disease and everyone's symptoms vary. With mine, I don't and never have any bleeding, or "D". I mostly have constipation, bloating and mostly upper stomach pain. My Crohn's is in my terminal ileum, but can affect from the mouth to anus.
Good luck and hope this little bit of info help you some! Take Care!
Pam
Bonusmom,
I am so glad to hear that dx was not cancer, Crohns is definitely the better of two evils.
Best of health in 2009 :D
Hi BonusMom :)
Thanks for the update. Sorry it's Crohn's but very glad its not cancer. Crohn's is nasty but I believe it can be managed reasonably well. All the best for 2009. Take care - Scottie :)
BonusMom, like all the others, I'm glad this was not cancer. I really jumped on your post, though, because it was so much like what my sister had just gone through. If they had not found the cancer when she went to the dr on her second bleeding event, it likely would have been a death sentence for her. Unfortunately, this is her third time with cancer. The last was 15 years ago and this colon cancer is a new one. She is having chemo for 3 days every two weeks for six months. I'm glad you are not in this scene. Lucy
BonusMom,
Thanks for the update...I'm sorry you have Crohns but so so glad to hear that it is not cancer! Good luck with getting this under control....it can be done!
BonusMom-
I'm so glad to hear the good news. I know a woman who has Crohn's, she's been taking Humira also and has been able to return to school to start her new career now that her kids are almost grown. She's doing very well, as I'm sure you will now that you know what you're dealing with.
Take care, Tracy