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NANAMOM05 · Jun 7, 2007, 06:04 PM

I have a family history of colon cancer. I am a 50 year old woman. My main medical problems are RA, OA and IBS. Earlier this year I had the colon scope test. They removed a polyp, but it was fine. My problem is for several months now I have had blood on the toilet paper when I have a bowel movement, most of the time I have pencil like stools, my rectum feels full most of the time. I don't have large bowel movements. When I have bowel movements I do not strain. But I start bleeding and have lots of pain several minutes after the movement. Then my rectum hurts for awhile and sometimes itches. I have lots of gas and sometimes pain low on the left side of my stomach. Does anyone have suggestions of what this my be? I have thought it was hemorrhoids or related to my IBS. When I read about colon cancer I found that I have all the symptoms except, for the weight loss.

Any answers would be appreciated.

Nighteyes · Jun 7, 2007, 06:09 PM

Well I'm far from a profasional on the topic and everything. But one I recommend you don't get yourself worked up, if you are concerned its colon cancer go to your doctor and explain the symptoms and all and get tested that's the only sure way to ease your mind on that, but to me it does strongly sound like hemorrhoids. So if you'd reather "attempt" to treat for hemorrhoids, use Preporation H and if that alieviated most if not all sypmtons, I'd say it was hemorrohoides. But again your best bet to fully know is to see your doctor... Might be uncomferatable to talk about but I assure you they have heard it all before :)

Xrayman · Jun 7, 2007, 07:00 PM

See the doctor to arrange for another colonoscopy-you are guaranteed to get the diagnosis then and there. Because of you previous history, I'd hazard a GUESS that you have heamorroids and/or polyps internally.

Another issue could be gallstones-ultrasound will detect these. Given your age, I think that your health system would allow easy access to scans? True?

Given your digestive situation I am leaning towards gallstones for the pain and polyps for the rectal bleeding-please see the doctor as your present condition is treatable.

Cheers

inthebox · Jun 7, 2007, 07:38 PM

NANAMOM05:

Colon cancer is always a concern, given your family history.
If your colonoscopy was technically good and that the poylp removed last year showed no cancer, this is unlikely to be cancer, unless it was small and was missed last year.

Rectal bleeding is not a characteristic of IBS - irritable bowel syndrome.

Rectal pain and bleeding may indicate hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, or a proctitis.

Some RA [ rheumatoid arthritis ] and OA [ osteoarthritis ] medicines, the antiinflamatories, may predispose you to bleeding.

Diverticulitis is another possibility, but it typically does not cause rectal pain and diverticulosis would have been seen in last year's colonoscopy.

The gold standard to rule out colon cancer would be another colonoscopy, which given your family history and last year's polyp, you may be due for a follow up anyway.

Grace and Peace

NANAMOM05 · Jun 7, 2007, 08:44 PM

Thank you all for your answers, it is greatly appreciated. I think I will treat this as hemorrhoids. As far as gallstones, it isn't that, I had my gallbladder taken out at age 29.
Thanks again