blood in stool

Alyce · 02-06-2009, 11:38 AM

Another bout of anxiety! I have really had a hard time with anxiety and medical treatments. Finished Chemo, radiation, almost done with Herceptin. Last month found out I had a high blood pressure reading and had to have a MUGA which turned out fine. Saw the Cardiologist this AM and he is not worried thinking my blood pressure is related to anxiety issues.
Next- I have noticed a little blood in my stool the last 2 days. I am totally bummed out thinking"What is next?"
I don't see the Dr. until Feb.24 so I am now thinking the worst and trying not to obsess. any of you have this symptom? Can it be from Chemo? let me know if you have any words of wisdom as I really hate to keep thinking about it. When I called the Dr, the nurse said that if the stool becomes tarry go to the ER. That really scares me.
I have been having so much help from massage, swimming, reiki and meditation. I wish I had more "tools" though to deal with these sudden onsets of medical possibilities.

sarah · 02-06-2009, 11:55 AM

Alyce
I'd go to your doctor immediately. it's probably jsut constipation from the chemo but if it's something more serious, better early than too late so don't put it off. Why wait for it to get tarry??? Have it checked out so you can relax about it.
keep getting those massages, life will get calmer.
sarah

Shobha · 02-06-2009, 01:44 PM

Alyce,

I had blood in my stools during chemo. It was just a side effect. Also, if there are hemorroids, they too can bleed due to chemo or diet. Please do have it checked for peace of mind. I have a strong feeling it is nothing serious.

love,
shobha

Jean · 02-06-2009, 10:39 PM

Alyce,
Why should you suffer? No need, make an appointment and have the doctor check. An exam will tell you right away if hemorroids and a stool sample can be taken to check further.

I would not wait until the 24th, unless the blood in the stool stopped!

Regards,
Jean

Jackie07 · 02-06-2009, 10:53 PM

Jean is right. There's no reason to wait. Can you call your medical provider and get it checked out?

I had a similar situation early January. I called my doctor's office and told them about the bleeding - they got me an appointment with a nurse practitioner the same day. She checked it and confirmed it was caused by hemorroids.

Looking back, I realized it was probably caused by the food I ate - hubby's friend was visiting and brought us some very dry, very hard beef jerky. But my goodness, talking about 'scary'!

ElaineM · 02-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Have you had a hemmoccult test? It is a very simple
one day stool test that can be done at home. Your docs office might even have one for you to take home and do.
After you have made the "donation" according to the directions in the test you either mail it to a lab or bring it back to your docs office so they can send it to the lab.
You can also have a nurse or doc check for hemmroids.
If anything suspicious shows up from the exam or hemmoccult test they can send you for futher testing.
There is another stool test available called a CDSA 2.0, but that is a 3 day test.
May foods can affect the stool too. Have you eaten beets lately?

Debbie L. · 02-07-2009, 06:08 PM

You sound really worried, Alyce. If you're still as worried as you sound, you should get it checked out for your peace of mind. But it's unlikely to be anything serious.

If you can see red blood, it's something near the outlet. Almost always hemorrhoids or a fissure. And the answer to your "has anybody else had this symptom" is an overwhelming "yes", and not just from people diagnosed with cancer. But it still should be checked out if it persists.

Hemocult is to check when there's no obvious bleeding. If you can see the blood, you know the hemocult will be positive so it's a moot point.

How old are you? Maybe this will be your ticket to get that colonoscopy done. But more likely, the provider will see something visually, reassure you that it will heal, and that will be that. A GI doc told me that fissures (basically, cracks or tears) are far more common than hemorrhoids although most people attribute any rectal symptoms to hemorrhoids.

Let us know how it goes, okay. How are you now?
Debbie Laxague

karen z · 02-27-2012, 09:46 AM

I agree with Jean and think her advice is very sound.
k