diagnosis please?

[commodoreperry]

I am a sixteen year old girl. I have been constipated for most of my life and began noticing bleeding after bowel movements several months ago. Schoolwork and lack of exercise has caused my constipation to worsen considerably over the past year and a half, although I have retained a relatively healthy diet. My constipation became so severe that at some point I would not release for weeks at a time, resulting in bloating and cramps. That is around when the rectal bleeding began, bright red and relatively mild. I let it be for a while, thinking that it was normal considering how constipated I was, but when I began bleeding so heavily that I confused it with my menstrual blood and dark red clumps began to appear I told my mother and we arranged a doctor's appointment. After a physical examination (fingers were involved. *cough*), the doctor told us that my colon was not torn and I probably did not have internal hemorrhoids, but that I should have an x-ray done to check for polyps.  This was several months ago and the rectal bleeding continues, worsening when I am constipated and letting up during periods of relatively normal bowel movements. However, after researching, the number of possible afflictions frightened me, especially in the lack of frequency in those my age and how the dark blood clumps suggest something serious than irritable bowel syndrome. What could I possibly have? Thanks so much.

[HelpinLA]

I just had surgery and was constipated for 7 days, really bad I won't go into details what I tried.

He, my surgeon, told me to take Flaxseed oil so I bought the oil instead of the pills.  I recommend the pill form.  Flaxseed oil taste horrific and it made me feel sick but this morning I had a good BM.

Try the pills if you can't take the actual oil.  I bought it in Trader Joes (if you have them there) for 7.99 for the oil and 4.99 for the pill form.

Oh and I eat Activia yogurt (in the past it helped me be regular) but the oil produced over night.

[patient915]

Have you tried laxatives like miralax or milk of magnesia, which are safer to use than senokot?  Have you tried adding more fiber to your diet?

[commodoreperry]

Thanks! During my severe constipation, after much trial-and-error with laxatives I began taking Senokot regularly (every 12 hours) and occasionally used a pharmacy-bought enema but stopped taking pills after I began bleeding and instead I now take fiber pills, omega-3 fish oil pills, and a few other vitamin supplements. I've also tried eating smaller portions to reduce my waste production and adding more greens to my diet since, although they didn't help much.

[patient915]

Welcome to the IBS communinty!  It sounds like you need more testing to figure out where this bleeding is coming from.  A colonoscopy is probably a good idea.  Have you tried any dietary changes or medications to help the constipation?