Internal Hemorrhoids? Colonoscopy Necessary?

[JacsRocks]

I'm 27 years old and female. I've never had any children and recently I've lost 100lbs (on my own through diet and exercise). About three weeks ago, I noticed I had an upset stomach, I thought I might be getting the flu again. As the week went on, I noticed I had terrible smelling and frequent flatulence, and excessive stomach gurgling. It gurgles when I'm full/hungry/or just right. It just sits there gurgling loudly all day long.

By the end of the week my stomach was still upset and I had gone to the bathroom and noticed dark orangey red blood in my stool. (I've had this periodically throughout the past 6 months). No big deal! Until I went to the bathroom again the next day and there was more blood. I went to my doctor they performed a Fecal Occult Blood Test twice, and both came out positive. They referred me to a GI.

I had to wait a week or so to get into the GI. In the time that's lapsed, my stool is still bloody, there is no pain with bowel movements, but I have developed nausea, loss of appetite, still having extreme flatulence and gurgling, and very bad back pain with some abdominal pain in my right quadrants.

I saw the GI doc today, he didn't listen to any of my symptoms, just heard that on the 5th day of bleeding it was bright red and excessive. He told me he thinks I just have internal hemorrhoids and he wouldn't make me go through another FOBT if I agreed and promised to come in for a Colonoscopy.

It just seems to me that he wants to make the big bucks sending me for this test. If he's sure this is what I have why doesn't he just treat it?

[duckie4120]

I'd go and have that colonoscopy if I were you. It sounds like more than just hemorrhoids. Dark red blood isn't normally related to hemorrhoids. Bleeding from hemorrhoids is usually a bright red color. Dark blood may have something to do with your colon more than hemorrhoids. Of course it could all be nothing but why take a chance? I just think your life is worth more than $1,000 right? I've had minor symptoms like bright red blood only 3 times in last 15 years and it only happened when I was constipated. Other than that, having this uncomfortable feeling sitting down for long periods over the past few months. That's it and am thinking about going through a colonoscopy procedure just to rule out cancer. Hope this helps.

[JacsRocks]

My insurance isn't covering it because, yes it's diagnostic, but it's not done in the office, it's in an outpatient facility. I told the doctor I was going to cancel, they told me they had payment plans. The facility bill is over 550, and the doctor bill is 200+. Then there's an anesthesia bill also. It just seems like a lot of money to find out I have hemorrhoids, and now it definitely seems like the doc is making a lot of money off of it also.

I've felt like crap for two weeks, back pain, horrible gas and gas pains, stomach gurgles and pains, nausea, but i feel completely fine today, and just having a little gas. Is this STILL really necessary? I don't want to blow that much money for nothing.

[CalGal]

In order to treat something you've first got to find out if that's the condition that's causing the blood. To treat internal hemorrhoids, they're still going to have to 'go in,' find them and band them in some manner. And if it's not hemorrhoids it would be a good idea to find out exactly what is going on. A colonoscopy is a good idea.