Blood/mucus stool

Hi

For tge past 8 months ive had blood and mucus in stools, i went to the docs and they said IBS, tge symptoms persisted so i went back, they took blood tests which were all normal, a stool test which said i had high calproctin levels (1200) so gp said i had suspected IBD, i have a colonoscopy appt in 2 weeks. Obviously no one can diagnose other than the docs after colonoscopy but im freaking out and expecting the worst! Has anyone else had anything similar? I have absolutely so other symptoms just mucus at rhe top of stool (first bit to come out) then blood on the outside sometimes quite a bit sometimes barely any and thats it but it has been every stool apart from maybe 5 in total for the last 8 months! Maybe a slight niggle in left lower side of stomach occasionally right but nothing major at all.

No family history, no weight loss, no tiredness, bowel habbits normal, no pain, no other symptoms, just an increase in anxiety!

Thanks for reading

Parents
  • Hi i have Pan Colitis....Ulcerative colitis of the entire bowel x

  • Hi, 

    Im hoping for a bit of guidance, and just support really I suppose.  I have been experiencing contipation since the birth of my second child about 6 years ago.     The bowel movements sometimes has mucous in it/over it. Other symptoms are occasionally gassy.    I put all this down to constipation, and possibly caused by stress (I so have alot of ongoing stress in my life).  More recently however, I have experienced hard bowel movements, followed by softer movement, within the same bowel movement if you know what I mean.  The other day, I experienced a single bout of diarreah that sent me runnoing to  the toilet, and noticed a trace of bright red blood.  I went to a & e as it scared me so much, and the doctor did a rectal exam, felt my stomach, and also suggested that it could be covid related??!!  She also said it might be internal haemorrhoids.....I do know I have a 'bulge' that comes out when passing bowel movements and sometimes there feels like there is a cut on the skin (it stings etc).  But she didnt think it was anything sinister but to keep an eye on it, and sent me on my way.  Today, I had a bowel movement, covered in mucous....I looked and noticed a very very small streak of what I thought might be red blood in the mucous.  This was not on the outside of the stool, which makes me even more worried.  I cant be 100% certain that it was blood, as there was a lot of red food matter in my stool as well.   This was again followed by softer stool, which had a very bad smell (almost sicky type smell), and quite alot of undigested food.    I did a home stool test for occult blood a few days ago (  to try and calm my nerves), and it came ouit negative.  The other thing on my mind is that I have two cousins who both have ulcerative colitis.  Im lost as to what to do, and my gp surgery are not seeing people but only doing consultations over the phone.  What is the best thing to do - watch and wait? 

  • Hi, to be honest I wanted to watch and wait but was told to investigate. I had a colonoscopy and they found a small polyps. I was told that sometimes the polyps hangs and rubs and can cause blood and if constipated the stool may have blood due to this or hameroids ( I wish I could spell lol)

    also if it is bright red they were not worried. 
    the mucus is a lot some days and small amounts another time. I too have had a blood mucus and a white mucus. 
    I went to the hospital around Christmas time and they believed it to be stomach related gastroenteritis and ibs 

    now the blood has cleared and mucus is less but I had a trace of red blood today, not much but there. As I was told to link it with the polyps I wasn't worried. They want to remove the polyps but don't seem to be worried. 
    I too stress a lot because I lost my dad to Covid and other stressful things going on at the moment and apparently that doesn't help the mucus situation. 
    try not to worry. I'm glad I went to have the colonoscopy though. It's not difficult the prep is worse. I'm here if you need to chat 

  • Hi, thanks so much for replying, and I'm glad to hear your doctors aren't too worried about your polyp. I'm sure it is a weight off your mind! I just thought that since the stool test I did was negative then that would be enough to rule anything really bad out? Also Iv had the constipation 6 years, only very recently noticed what might be blood in mucous. I'm not sure what to do, I may ring gp on Monday for their advise. The hospital doctor didn't think there was anything sinister. But I felt uneasy as she was mainly going off blood tests which all came back fine, the fact I'd no weight loss, and rectal exam clear, stomach felt fine. Its soooo difficult not to worry, and I'm the world's worst worrier...to the point that I can't actually function properly lol

  • Also, I'm really sorry to hear about loosing your Dad to covid....that must be so so difficult. Big Hugs

  • If they are not worried please don't worry. Your tests were clear so that's brilliant. Think positive xx

    i think you will be fine. I know that stress makes us worse but sometimes I can't help it. I'm so happy that they are so positive and your tests were negative. Maybe the stress caused the mucus and hameroids the blood. Don't worry everything looks positive. I'm here if you need me x

  • Thank you. It's been tough but I have to stay strong for mum and my kids xx

  • Thank you for your kind words.  I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to loose your Dad, and have the extra stress of health issues to deal with as well, plus staying strong for everyone around you.  I know that kind of situation can get very lonely....so please, I'm here also if you need to chat.  

    I was thinking I would watch and wait for a couple of weeks to see if I saw anymore blood in mucous etc, as Im not 100% certain that I saw blood.  How often does colon cancer bleed....the docotor I saw seemed to believe it would happen many times again if it was something sinister, and would be more than just a one off.  But I just dont know.  

  • Thank you so much for your support 

    I agree wait and see . I was told that it wouldn't be red blood it would be almost black blood and like tar if it was sinister. 
    please don't worry I'm always here to chat at anytime if I'm needed. Have a relaxing weekend x

  • Thanks for your advise. I found another very small streak of bright red blood in mucous again today. I k ow for definite it was blood this time. However, I also have a cut/tear I think possibly due to internal haemorrhoids, as I can feel it stinging. I don't know if this is where the blood is coming from, and it doesn't really explain the mucous either I don't think? Also I thought the blood seemed to be more in the stool rather than on the outside. I'm just not sure but it feels like I'm on a roller coaster of serious worrying and then not worrying, and then back to inconsolable worrying again. So I think I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow morn....I can't live like this, can't function with worry lol....so I really am going to have to do something about it. 

  • Hi, call the doctor to be sure . It does sound like the hameroids though. A little in the stool is just a warning to check. It doesn't mean there is anything serious so please don't worry. I agree it's a nightmare of worry and stress but you have had positive feedback. Keep thinking positive 

    I have days like this and my imagination is all over the place 

    the mucus I was told is present most of the times but we never notice unless there is blood in it. But the mucus could be related to stress and it comes from the stomach 

     

    usually the doctors go through processes and want the tests just so they can be sure and put your mind at rest. I'm here if you need me x

Reply
  • Hi, call the doctor to be sure . It does sound like the hameroids though. A little in the stool is just a warning to check. It doesn't mean there is anything serious so please don't worry. I agree it's a nightmare of worry and stress but you have had positive feedback. Keep thinking positive 

    I have days like this and my imagination is all over the place 

    the mucus I was told is present most of the times but we never notice unless there is blood in it. But the mucus could be related to stress and it comes from the stomach 

     

    usually the doctors go through processes and want the tests just so they can be sure and put your mind at rest. I'm here if you need me x

Children
  • Hey just after some reassurance after reading all these posts. 
     

    I have been suffering from horrendous abdominal pains for the past 8 months. Originally my GP thought it was my ovaries so sent me for a scan which came back clear. I then started noticing a difference in my stool, I am constipated and have diarrhoea sometimes at the same time. My stool changed to weird shapes as well and when I go I have to really strain to push it out and it feels like it's not empty when done it. I was sent for blood and stool sample which has come back and I was urgently referred for a colonoscopy which is booked on 1st April. 
     

    I'm getting a little worried as I can see a lot of visible mucus and also my stool looks like it has coffee granules in it. And I have pain constantly all day and all night. 
     

    Anyone else experience this? I'm just a little nervous about colonoscopy too. 

  • Hi, sorry for the delay.

    the colonoscopy wasn't as bad as I thought. Drinking the prep was a nightmare lol it never ends

    they will give you sedation to make you drowsy if you want it. The nurse with you will be wonderful. Throughout the proceedure they will talk to you comfort you and help you turn over if needed. They are amazing once it is over they take you to recovery and they give you a tea and a sandwich and make sure you are fully ok and then doctor comes in with results and a chat

    they truly are brilliant

    i have mucus and blood streaks due to a large polyps that needs to be removed. I do get pains but they told me it's probably trapped wind due to slight ibs and once the polyps has gone and been analysed we go from there. Don't worry about anything they will sort you out and you will feel so much better once you learn more from the colonoscopy

    im always here if you need to talk

     

     

  • So update - I spoke to my gp over phone a few days ago, and she gave me suppositories to try for a week.  Then she is ringing me this coming Tuesday to see what to do next.  The bleeding has entirely stopped, well I havent noticed anymore anyway.  I have had loose stool most mornings as soon as I wake up though, but not during the day.  Stomach making lots of gurgling noises too, and gassy  at times.

      My two cousins were disgnosed with IBD, one a year ago, and the other a few years back....so because of that family history, the doctor said there is a test we can do - not sure exactly what she meant by that.  

    I think the suppositiories have helped loads, as the swelling around back passage has definitely gone down.  Im just still worried as I want to be sure the blood (which really wasnt alot tbh) was coming from haemorrhoids.  The small streak of blood I saw in mucous looked to be more in the stool, and that is playing on my mind  - the only reason I saw it though was because I had been told by the hospital doctor to keep a close eye for any more blood.  There was aot of undigested red peppers in the stool as well, so Im wondering if the colouring from the red peppers could have been the red streak in mucous?  

    The loose stools is odd, and Im wondering if it is actually stress related from worrying so much about blood in stools!  I actually cant stop thinking about it, and have now done 2 home occult blood tests (fit tests), which have both been negative for hidden blood.  I think well, thats reassuring, and then I read about other people whos tests were negative, and they still had something wrong.  

    I've stopped reading google - it definitely causes more stress.  Good to be informed, but not so good if it becomes a daily obsession!  

    Thanks all for support xxx

  • Hi, I too had a lot of loose stools and I was told it was stress related. I'm so glad the blood has stopped. Slowly but surely you will be tested and before you know it you will find out the results and it won't be as bad as we think. I for one have stressed myself so much over these weeks and was told the more you stress you get more symptoms. I know have developed a hard lump on my bottom I'm hoping it's nothing and my go thinks it could be a boil . Honestly I feel like it will never end. Tomorrow will be tough as it's my dads year memorial having died from Covid, and it's my sons birthday . I want to stay in bed but I will go to my dads grave. 
    anyway, I feel that you will be ok a d I'm here if you need to chat. Let me know what the doctor says too 

    keep positive xxx

  • Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I hope tomorrow goes as OK as it can, anniversaries are tough....be kind to yourself, and rest if you need to. 

    Sometimes it feels like one thing after the other isn't it....but this too shall pass, I keep telling myself that anyway! Hopefully the lump you have found is easily healed up.....it does sound like a boil or something like that. 

    I will be speaking to the doctor on Tuesday, so I will post here to let you know what she says. I do feel much better though, my stomach has felt fine all day today which has been a relief as I didn't feel as worried. 

    Hope tomorrow goes ok....sending positive vibes your way x

     

  • Thank you so much for your posit e thoughts and really kind words . Your encouragement is really appreciated. Let me know how you go on Tuesday. I too have an appointment and hope all is ok. We will lean on each other and I'm sure all will be ok x 

  • HI!!

    Its been a while, how are you I hope your appointment goes well.

    Just to update I finally been referred for an urgent colonscopy and endoscopy which is happening on 12th April. I never thought I would be happy for a scan but I guess its just the end to my anxiety (hopefully). I really hope it goes well.

     

    Hope to hear from you soon! Good luck with your appointment. 

     

  • Thank you so much. You will feel happier once it's done and you get results. . I know how you feel I was very anxious too. I'm here to chat should you need me

    its been a rough time for me but I will get through this xxx

  • Bless you. It's going ok so far. I just need to get over these health problems ASAP because I am quite tired . I fight every day and I am grateful for the support because it lifts me up. Let me know how the hospital goes x

  • I am very worried because today I had terrible griping pains and went to the toilet to find it contained pink bloody mucus.  I have had a pain in my left side for ages which I thought was IBS so have been buying over the counter meds, pain goes away for a week then returns, lots of wind and bloating.  Now stools have turned bright yellow!  Waiting for a call from the doctor..please has anyone else had this?