Back Pain/Stools with Blood and Mucous

[trex]

I've had the following conditions for about 2 months.  

Mucous covered loose stools (about 50% of the time) with foul odor with some blood in the stool, but mostly bright red blood on toilet paper.  When it is really bad, all that comes out is a wad of bloody mucous. Back pain and occasional twinges in abdominal region and lots of rumbling and flatulence.  Bad taste in my mouth after soda.  Fatigue and occasional headache.  No problem falling asleep but problems staying asleep.  Hot face and stomach occasionally after eating.  Seems to be worse with sugary foods, alcohol, or soda.

I am 35 and my family has a history of polyps.  

Any dietary or over the counter med recommendations?

I will have a much lower deductible January 1, so I'd like to hold off seeing the doc until then.

What conditions will waiting until then be a big mistake?
Thanks.

[RTFLY]

Trex...my friend...please do not wait. See a physician, preferably a gastroenterologist, at your earliest possible convenience. I suffered for many years with Irritable Bowel Disease, ulcerative colitis to be specific. I do not wish that type of suffering on anyone. Please do not put a price tag on your well being. This doesn't sound emergent but it is certainly something that needs attention. Blood in the stools is not normal. Blood on toilet tissue can certainly be as benign as a hemmorhoid but what your describing can certainly be a variety of things. The symptoms and your family history are enough to need to see a doc soon. I am a medical professional as well as someone who has suffered through IBD so I say this in two ways...don't wait. I wouldn't dare suggest anything over the counter. If you do experience pain or fever use Tylenol(acetominophen)and not Advil(ibuprofen). Ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and ketaprofen are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory's or NSAID's and can irritate intestinal lining. And no aspirin...this is a blood thinner and can make bleeding worse.

As for diet..certainly no alcohol. Not only can it make you bleed more, but it can also dehydrate you. If drinking a soda bothers you, don't do that either. Stick with bland foods until you see a doc and have tests run. No raw fruits or veggies, no nuts or popcorn. Keep dairy products to a minimum or not at all.  Keep fiber to a minimum for now until you see your doc. Fiber is good to keep a bulky stool formation and keep the colon regular but in this situation, can lead to irritation and make things worse. Try and stay away from fried, fatty foods. Fruit juices, toast, applesauce, plain yogurts, baked chicken and fish worked well for me. Diet can be subjective. Some things may work for others and not for you. It is best to see a doc and get some recommendations from them. Diet is actually trial and error in these situations. Eat what doesn't make you sick! But bottom line is see someone soon. The problems with waiting are you don't know what's wrong with you and waiting can make things worse. Like I said, this doesn't sound like an emergency yet...so don't let it be one! Take care and best of luck.

                                       JCI

[dcotton4]

A related discussion, stomach/back/leg was started.