blood in stool

[jdavidson]

Hi,

  Fifteen years ago I have blood in my stool. I went to my GP who found an anal fissure. The bleeding stopped until two years ago. Now, about 50% of the time, I have bright blood in my stool. I went to my gp (a different gp) and he administered a flexible sigmoidoscopy test. He found nothing and said to ignore the bleeding. However, the bleeding has not stopped. At best, it's a nuisance since it can make a mess of my clothes at worst, I wonder if this doctor knows what he's doing.

advice would be appreciated.

thanks,
jd

[Dasha]

blood in stool is serios.  It could be anything, but it could also be colon  cancer. Listen to your own body and do the right thing.

[Wilson]

I agree entirely with the others. I'm guessing your insurance is through an HMO. Any doctor who tells you to "ignore the blood in your stool" should have his license revoked. That's not to say you should be overly worried, but you should have your condition re-evaluated by someone who is a little more responsible.

[nanci]

I agree with the other posters.  My doctor will not recommend a flex scope because as he told me, it's like taking a mammogram of one breast!  And with the colonoscopy, you don't feel a thing.  It's the same prep as with the flex but I believe you're not sedated with a flex, you are with a colonoscopy.

[eveningstar]

I am shocked that a doctor would say to ignore rectal bleeding.  Please get a new doctor.  I would definitely recommend that you have a colonoscopy.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy examines only the lower 1/3 of the colon.  A colonoscopy can visualize the entire colon.  Quite possibly you have something minor but you need to find out why you have rectal bleeding.  This is never normal.  Keep us posted.

[RTFLY]

I don't want to say that this doctor doesn't know what he is doing but I wouldn't ignore blood in the stool. It sounds promising that your flex sig was negative, as you said. It may be just a hemmorhoid or another fissure, but either way it is definitely worth getting looked at. Maybe check with another GP, or contact your previous GP who treated you before. Or even better, find a gastroenterologist who specializes in this type of treatment and seek out their professional opinion. Take care and all the best...
                                  JCI, BS RRT