Blood in stool - 20 and scared

Hi, so last easter (2017) was when i first noticed some bright red blood on the toilet paper. This happened each time i went to the loo over the next 10 days or so. Although i only went about 4 times as i was that nervous about seeing more blood. Also, my entire life up until the last couple of months, I would usually only pass a stool about every other day, obviously sometimes it was consecutive days and other times it was longer than 2 days but I’m guessing that I would generally go every other day, so I didn’t think much of it, although it could have been slight constipation. However i also had another symptom. Just before I started passing blood with the stools, my gut started making gurgling nosies, and there was a lot of flatulence (gas). I could tell the noises weren’t from my stomach and it wasn’t hunger. When the noises and flatulance stopped after about 10 days, so did the bleeding (from what i could see anyway). 

 

Skip forward to a few days ago and there was blood on the toilet paper once again, but only the once this time (i think) and i am passing gas frequently with a gurgling abdomen. This time, i am also experiencing some pain in the abdomen area (around where i think the colon is). The pain seems like it could just be trapped gas but i am not sure. Also, there have been two occasions over the last week where i think i have shown signs that I might faint (cold sweat, lightheaded) but haven’t. I’m not sure if this is connected, because the weather is extremely hot at the moment and it might just be dehydration, or it could be that both times, i was worrying quite a lot about my symptoms and it could have just been me worrying myself sick with stress. Also, if its IBD it could be to do with anemia.

 

The first time I didn’t go to see a doctor as I thought with the gurgling abdomen it might have just been some kind of bug. But i told myself that if the symptoms come back I would go to a doctor. 

Looking online, my symptoms would suggest colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, but after looking into IBD more, and reading other people’s experience with it, it seems less likely to be that. Others have said they would need to rush to the toilet 10 times a day and that their flare ups would last for months. This hasn’t been the case for me. That’s why i think it might be cancer. 

Im scared that after doing nothing about it for 16 months, if it is cancer, I might have missed the opportunity to catch it early. I also have no idea how to tell my parents and this is another reason why I’m scared of going to the doctors as I wouldn’t  want to burden them with this. I would also have to justify why i left it so long and I don’t know if i can. Another thing I’m worried about is that if it is cancer, and it’s at a survivable stage, will chemotherapy stop me from having children one day. Im 20, so when I realised it might be cancer, one of the first things that came to mind is that I might not live to be able to have kids, which really got to me, but now I’ve found out that chemotherapy can also make you infertile. 

 

Any help would be massively appreciated, especially in relation to telling my parents about my symptoms, or whether I should wait and first go to the doctor alone, and then tell them if there is cause for concern. Thanks.

  • Hi JonR23, 

    Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about all the symptoms you have been experiencing. It sounds like you have been worrying a lot over what has been happening. 

    I'm not a doctor or nurse but can say that it's difficult to make a diagnosis about your symptoms without being seen by a doctor. Different people will experience different signs and symptoms and not everyone will have the same symptoms. If it's any reassurance, 9 times out of 10 things could be down to a non-cancerous reason. 

    "Dr Google" can lead us to think that things are worse than they are but ultimately it is not a substitute for getting things checked out by your GP. 

    Many people often have a "let's wait and see what happens approach" so please don't let that put you off from getting things checked out. 

    The GP will ask you about your symptoms, probably do a physical examination and have a look to see if it's anything obvious causing the bleeding (such as piles, or a tear or an infection). You may have to do some blood tests etc. 

    It's up to you whether you tell your parents. They might give you some reassurance and it can be good to "get things off your chest". Maybe they could sit in the waiting room or nearby while you have your appointment? Or, as you say, maybe you could wait till after you've had your appointment at the doctor?

    Your symptoms have been going on for a while and I'm sure you want to find out what is happening, and how you can manage and get the symptoms treated. Please make an appointment with your GP and feel free to write again and let us know how you get on. 

    Lipop

     

     

  • Hello 

    I was referred for a colonoscopy as I also had blood on my stool , I had the colonoscopy and the results where good, I must have been constipated, I’ve had no problems ever since. My friend also had blood and that was due to piles that were inside her and she didn’t know, so there you go, it needs to be checked out fully by the doctor. Hope this has helped. 

  • Hi, thanks for your advice, I’ll go see my gp on Sunday or Monday

  • Hi

    i have been passing blood on and off now for a couple of years and have been terrified to get it checked.  I have now done so and am being referred for a colonoscopy, endoscopy and ct scan, I am absolutely passed myself in case I have cancer, I am also slightly anaemia. I am one scared person, having really bad panic attacks

  • Hiya,

    I understand where you're coming coming, I went through a similar situation! I'm 18 and last year I had bleeding, stomach cramps and I lost lots of weight. I for a while was becoming convinced I had cancer. It was really terrifying to say the least! After I went to the doctor they did a few minor tests and they reacted as if they thought it was cancer too. I was immediately referred to a specialist and seen for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy is nowhere as bad as it seems! It took me 10 minutes and I was out! The staff are lovely and they're ever so kind! They make sure you're very comfortable and welcome! But after the colonoscopy went through it determine my issue to be Ulcerative Colitis! Which is very common and I was very relieved! 

    I know it's terrifying not knowing, but one way or the other being certain can prepare you for whatever it will come to! Make sure you are with friends or family and keep yourself occupied with either going out (if you can) or doing something at home! 

    I really wish you all the best!

    Kind regards,

    Jake

  • Hi JonnR123, 

    Can you tell me how things got on at the GP? I’m 26 and have had exactly the same symptoms as you, it’s almost like I wrote your post. I have been to the GP and had bloods taken where they have found I have folite anemia, (low folic acid) I have to take 4 months supply and go for more bloods. 

    I have been referred to a colon surgeon and got my referral the very next day and an appointment for 2 weeks time. As you’ll appreciate this has sent my anxiety through the roof as it’s all happening so fast and looking at my symptoms, they all kind of lead towards the cancer road. Even my GP told me my symptoms mirror those of colon cancer! 

    Any news on how you have got on and what happened following the GP will hopefully put my mind at east or at least give me a chance to prepare myself for the appointments to come  

    thanks 

     

     

     

  • Hi there 

     

    Please try not to worry! I had similar symptoms and turns out I just have a b12 deficiency

    Hope you're okay though 

  • Hi im going through a similair situation and was wondering how your colonocspoy whent as i am going to be having one too? 

  • Hi I'm going through a similar situation and was wondering what happened at your appointments x