Rectal bleeding, heavy bright red blood in stool and lower back pain?

[Cwest10]

Back in July I had a few cases of rectal bleeding after a bowel movement. Two were days apart and the other occurred a couple of weeks after the first. I did not experience any pain or anything, just a toilet full of bright red blood with large clots that I only discovered after I started wiping. I have regular constipation so I assumed it was hemorrhoids or something. It was a lot of blood each time, enough to fill the toilet. I went to see a colorectal surgeon in August and she looked up inside but didn't find anything.

It's been almost two months since my last experience, but today I discovered another toilet full of blood after an easy bowel movement. I wasn't constipated or anything and it came out relatively easy with not too much hard pushing, even though I hadn't had a bowel movement in a while. But there was still enough blood in the toilet that it colored the water red, and it was VERY brightly colored, almost pink, with clots. Afterward, now I am feeling some lower pain in my back. However, there was no pain when I passed the bloody stool. Again, there was a LOT of blood in the toilet.

I am starting to really worry about rectal cancer. Can anyone tell me what it might be? I am going to call that surgeon again and schedule a colonoscopy, but in the meantime I am so worried that I feel like crying. What am I going to do if they can't get me in right away? I don't have colon cancer in my family, but I am still really really worried. Can anyone help?

[deancoffsharbouraustralia]

I to have had bleeding after/during bowel movement. A lot sometimes. I havent checked out rectal or colon cancer because I feel my issue is caused when my back is very painfull (when L4/5 5/6 and s1 and thoracic are playing up from disk herniation and buldges. Sometimes (according to useless medical profession ,,,what a joke they are at the moment) bleeding can occur when due to impingment or irritation of nerve roots prevents correct sensation so without knowing can push to hard and cause bleeding...Occult blood or blood in the stool itself indicates other issues. fresh blood bright red is from a blood vessel bursting. Perhaps you need to have a proper Galodium Enhanced MRI of the spine to see if there is any impingment of those nerve roots. Untill then be carefull and go easy....I know when it will happen with me due to the lower back pain significantly worse following over activity....Be Empowered if your doctor isnt open to proactive prognosis and treatment go to another one or even consult an online doctor as they can only base diagnosis on your symptoms given. Often "physicall" examination offers to many variables and complexities which sidetrack the treatment process as poor quality physical examination is useless and counter productive often.  Goodluck and remember It's what your doctor doesnt know or find is what will kill you, so dont let them put you off or send you for "b" grade useless scans. High contrast thoralumbar MRI in large full page prints so things can be clearly seen..often poor quality scans are used to "get rid of the cost" involved in any particular diagnosis so vagary is often used to create " unknown" causes as nothing can be seen on a scan -simply means the scan was crap...... BE AWARE the medical profession is a business. $$$$$$ run everything and patient outcomes are quite irrelevant in the boardrooms.//sad but true. EDUCATE EDUCATE and REEDUCATE - chances your doctor was qualified 30 years ago? chances he she knows anything of medical advances and how to access them = nil.

[PK1982]

So .... Did you find out what the problem is ??

I'm facing something similar hence checking. Do let me know. Thanks

[mammo]

MD Anderson (Texas) and Emory (Atlanta) are also excellent hospitals for GI problems.
There is the Siteman Cancer Research Center in St. Louis MO which is excellent in diagnostics and treatments with such problems.

[Morecambe]

Further to all the sensible suggestions above, so that you are more fully informed for your next consultation, I suggest that you google rectal bleeding and click on to one of the many sites.  The Medicinenet site is particularly informative.

Rectal bleeding is never normal and should always be investigated until a firm cause is established.

As mammo says, you are very young to have developed colon cancer - but, if you are so unlucky as to be in the zero point zero zero .... percent that does develop colon cancer then early diagnosis and treatment (which you are following) promotes a very high cure rate.  If your local hospital appears "below par" in their expertise, then seek out a specialist G.I. unit - for instance at a Mayo Clinic or similar.

regards
Morecambe

[mammo]

When the blood is a bright red, it is a lower GI bleed, when it is dark or black, it is up higher in the intestine.

[GettingOlder]

I'd suggest having a lower GI series done. A colonoscopy will only show part of what could be bleeding internally. Best wishes!

[Cwest10]

It's not female-related. I was at my OB-GYN back in May and everything was fine.

[mammo]

See a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy ASAP, not the surgeon.   The colon rectal surgeon should have referred you to one when you saw her!  You're very young to have colon cancer so youth is on your side.  There are other conditions that can cause bleeding, so try not to think the worst.  It's early so whatever it is will be caught very quickly and this is important.  Not to get too personal, but are you sure this is coming from your colon, could it be female related? If you haven't seen your OB-GYN recently, maybe schedule an appt, with him/her as well.  I wish you all the best, everything will be okay.  Take care.