blood/mucous in stool

[robin1925]

I am a 39 year-old woman in excellent health. My mother passed away in 1996 from kidney cancer at the age of 72. I exercise regularly, weigh about 125 and am 5'4. I have an excellent diet and eat whole-grain cereal for breakfast every day such as bran flakes and try to have at least a banana every day, although I'm not diligent. I eat a lot of vegetables. I am experiencing a moderate degree of stress in my life and have been unemployed for about four months. I have a bowel movement about every other day, sometimes every day, and they are for the most part normal (solid - one piece), or sometimes a bit harder and in several pieces, but still easy to pass. Once in a great while I will experience diarrhea, but it will usually passes quickly.  

I have experienced some light bleeding from time to time as a result of a hemorrhoid - it can be felt by touching it, or when I try to pass a stool. Hemorrhoids run in the family (my mother suffered from them). My experience with hemorrhoids is very infrequent, and they clear up on their own.

I must say that I have been somewhat constipated over the past few weeks, although still able to pass the stool. I have had bouts of constipation throughout my life. Once in a great while, I will notice mucous in my stool during constipation. Infrequently, I will experience moderate to severe abdominal cramping and am unable to pass stool. I have used an enema to help move the stool along at those times, and this has been effective. Again, this doesn't happen very often. I have also used Metamucil.

I had an abdominal cramping episode about two weeks ago. At that time I administered an enema and was able to pass stool. I've been fine since then, although have felt some indigestion on and off. On Saturday, 1/21, I had chicken cordon bleu at a restaurant. About two hours after the meal (11 p.m.), I began to have severe abdominal cramping and was unable to pass a stool. I administered an enema at the time was then able to pass some, but it was very hard. I then vomited, although I didn't feel particularly nauseous. I then experienced an episode of diarrhea that did not contain any blood. I ran a fever of about 99.5 for a very short time, but it quickly resolved. The diarrhea stopped as well. I continued to experience intermittent abdominal cramping throughout the night. The next morning, I had a loose bowel movement that contained mucous and blood. I didn’t have another movement the rest of the day but did continue to experience intermittent moderate cramping and felt that I might be constipated. I had a bowel movement this morning at about 9:30 am - very small, somewhat solid, light brown in color with much bloody mucous. The cramping is becoming less frequent, although the stool was definitely abnormal. I have not had any cramping since this last BM – 11:30 am.

I don't want to overract and don't have health insurance. I will have insurance in one month. Please advise - thanks!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Any change in bowel habits warrants a colonoscopy.  This is especially important with the presence of mucous and blood.

Cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis are all possible.  

I would also send the stool off for culture and analysis to ensure there is no infection present.  

If the tests remain non-revealing, an abdominal CT scan can be considered.

As to the urgency of the test - I cannot give specific recommendations over the internet.  I suggest that you discuss these symptoms with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b

[robin1925]

Also - the blood is red in color - not black or brownish.

[robin1925]

Also - I haven't noticed any decrease in appetite or changes in weight.

[robin1925]

i'm sorry - i keep adding to this question. i need to correct some information. in my main question, i detail the following:

The next morning, I had a loose bowel movement that contained mucous and blood. I didn’t have another movement the rest of the day but did continue to experience intermittent moderate cramping and felt that I might be constipated.

Actually, that next morning i did have a loose bowel movement, but it was not bloody. it wasn't until later in the evening - i forgot to mention that i took four metamucil capsules because i was having the abdominal cramps throughout the day but not having any bowel movements, so i thought i was constipated. about an hour after taking the metamucil is when i had my first bout with the bloody/mucous soft stool.

i promise this will be the last addition! thanks.

[mistyjo80]

I too am having your EXACT same problems.  It has started just recently and have called a specialist to get an appointment.  Did you ever find out what your problem was??  I'm alittle worried and did a search and read your post and have your same problems.  
Thank you!

[linda_w]

A related discussion, bowels,bloody mucous was started.