new here but not to forum

[jkfrench]

Hey guys,
I had a completely normal colonoscopy 2 years ago.  The reason for it (although I wasn't 50 yet)  was because I saw some blood in my stool.  (my grandfather died of colon cancer).
Anyway, this week I have started to see blood (kind of red but also maroon) in my stool.  If I leave it sit in the toilet a minute, the water turns red so I imagine it is on the outside of the stool.  Nothing like 2 years ago.  That was just small streaks on my stool that I saw.  This is much worse.
My question to anyone is could anything develop in 2 years?  I just don't know.  I plan to call the doctor next week if it isn't better.  One thing I should mention is that I started eating activa a month or so ago.  Man, that stuff works.  Maybe it is too hard on my system?    I am 49 now.
Thanks for any advice
Frenchie

[jkfrench]

Thanks for your replies.  I do have to tell you that I tried to rack my brain as to what I ate that weekend.  This came on so sudden.  I had a big helping of beets on Saturday night and then again on Monday.  The last red/marron poop was Friday.  They have been  normal since.  Stools are normal.  So, I'm going to call him next week but I'm thinking this might have been the beets.  I know, better safe than sorry but I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago WITHOUT sedation and I'm not looking forward to that again.  I'm small to begin with (105 lbs.).  I tend to be afraid of drugs because I also get pvc's and all kinds of heart flips and flops.  (all benign) but I still hate them.
Thanks for responding and I will take your advice.
Frenchie

[Sue10191]

i agree with mammo.  You need another look at the colon.  My husband grows polyps like crazy.  His were found well before 50.  Colon cancer runs in the family.  After a couple of checks he was able to go about 3 yrs between colonoscopies.  When he went in to be rechecked, they found more polyps.  Yes, they can grow quick.  You may have had them so small two yrs ago that the scope didn't see them plus the test is good but not perfect.  Listen to me and mammo and call your Dr.  Don't worry but don't delay!  Good luck.  Just one more thing.  Is your stool getting stringy, more narrow?  That is sometimes a sign of polyps.

[mammo]

At this age and with a family hostory of colon cancer, I would get another scope.  The darker the blood, the higher the bleed, and vice versa.  The Activia would not cause this.  The small streaks 2 years ago were probably hemorrhoids if they found nothing else.  But being this close to 50, it's wise to get another scope.  This is an age when polyps can develop and that why they tell everyone to get scoped starting at 50.  Polyps can bleed,  and become malignant.  If any are found during the scope, they are removed at that time.  Better safe than sorry.  Take care.