Blood and Diarrhea, possibly stress

Starting about four weeks ago I noticed a difference in my bowel movements.  I have had moderate diarrhea the whole time and for the first two weeks I had a significant about of bright red blood every time I went including what looked like clots.  So the blood has stopped but I am still concerned.  I have been to the doctor and am slowly (not by choice) in the process of going to a specialist.  A little history.  I have had blood in my stools occasionally for a few years, but never in this amount or for that long.  I know sometimes if was from fissures and sometimes from hemorrhoids, but I don't think this is the case this time.  I am extremely stressed right now and I am sure this is playing a role.  I haven't really had any stomach pain but I have noticed that my lower stomach near my belly button has hurt.  Also I have never had a prolonged period of diarrhea before.  I guess I am wondering if anybody has experienced anything like this or has any suggestions.  And help would be appreciated while I wait for answers. Thanks!

[michell221]

have you been on antibiotics lately?  Could possibly be cdiff.  A stool test can check for this.  I would say a colonoscopy should also be considered.

[NewAtThis984]

My general practitioner brought up a the mention of a colonoscopy and an upper gi, but I can't see my specialist until the 26th.  I haven't been taking any medicine lately, except maybe the occasional tylenol (only a couple times a month).  What is cdiff?  

[michell221]

C diff is a bacteria that can often invade your bowels after antibiotics and cause diarrheah and bloody stools .  Most of the time it comes after antibiotic use but this is not always the case.  The antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria which usually can keep this in check so the cdiff takes over. Thats why its a good idea to always take probiotics when you are on an antibiotics and never take antibiotics unless you are sure an infection is  bacterial.   The bug is notorious for being picked up at hospitals but there have been quite a few cases found that are community aquired in recent years.  C diff can cause colitis as well which is inflammation of your colon. This often results in the bloody stools and sometimes fever and flu symptoms.  It is a hard bug to eradicate since it forms spores and they can lay dormant and the antibiotic to treat it  does not kill the spores so often multiple rounds of antibiotics are needed to be cured.  

You could also have ulcerative colitis not caused by c diff which can cause bloody stools.  

If  your bleeding continues call your dr and ask for an immediate appointment or go to the er to be safe.  You really do need a colonoscopy to find the source of the blood.