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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 6/10/2007 9:33 AM (GMT -7)
a few years ago i noticed when i would strain during constipation there would be blood on the toilet paper and sometimes a drop (of blood) in the toilet. I would always have bad dhiarrea after milk or ice cream as well. I went to the Dr. and he told me that i may have torn something while straining, and that it wasnt that uncommon or that big a deal. At the time i was in my 20's. Im 34 and ive noticed that it have burning during dhiarrea and sometimes it would last all day. I have bad cramps and sometime i even strain during dhiarrea. I have had soft / this stools for sometime and never thought much of it. Two years ago I went back to my Dr and told him that i had some more blood again during some movements and my movements were unpredictable. He sent me to a GI who said that it was most likely internal hemroids and / or IBS (which is what my Doctor suspected as well) last week i got a new Dr. and explained how my stools were thin, i only had blood once recently but since then my stool have been very soft and thin. I did a rectal exam and check for blood in the stool with a small paper test. The test came back negative. The reason why I am so concerned is that I recently found out that my grandmother developed colon cancer in her 70's. As far as I know there is no other history of this (again, as far as I know, as im not very close with that side of the family). I do know that all of my aunts and uncles and thier kids as well as my dad have been fine and none of thier kids have developed this. Does colon cancer skip a generation ?  Would My Grandmothers cancer constitute "family history"? I have a colonoscopy scheduled for the 27th and im really worried. I have not had any weight loss, and there was no sign of occult blood in my stool. Am I over reacting ? what could this be? Please help.
Posted 6/10/2007 12:29 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Dre,

Welcome to HealingWell!  :-)

Yes, I do believe your grandmother's cancer is part of your family history.  But, it doesn't mean you're going to get it too.  The odds are higher for you when you have an immediate family member with cancer.  Also, I read at about.com that most colon cancer appears in people with no family history of it.  I think as long as you're getting scoped regularly that's the best you can do.

I wouldn't worry too much about it with your current symptoms.  Everything you're describing could be IBS and/or hemorrhoids and fissures.  Have you tried adding fiber to your diet?  It might help with the straining and irritation you get.  Stool softeners can also help with that.

When is your scope?  It wouldn't be good for you to stress over this for too much longer.

Posted 6/10/2007 1:20 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks for ur words and input. My scope is scheduled for june 27th and it does have me a bit freaked out. im going 2 start taking metamucil and hopefully things will get better. more than anything its the thin stools that has me worried as i have read many horrifying things about them. I have been under alot of stress lately, work, family, finances etc. and im sure that is not helping. I hate that I sound like i am rambling but its something i needed 2 talk about. Thank you again.

Posted 6/10/2007 1:39 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Dre,
That is what this site is all about... Support. Don't worry about sounding like you're rambling, we all understand.
Regarding your thin stool, that is common with IBS. Stress is also a big player in IBS. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry too much about cancer.
When you introduce Metamucil I suggest taking it slow. Do not start with the full recommended dosage. Start by taking 1/2, let your body get used to the extra fiber. Your body needs to acclimate so at first you will have excess gas and bloating. Once you start noticing that you are handling it better, up the dosage.
Good luck!
Posted 6/10/2007 3:51 PM (GMT -7)
IBS fluctuates from constipation to diahrea.Your stress isn't helping you.Relax.
Posted 6/10/2007 5:10 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Dre,
Try not to worry. I've had thin stools forever. Its good that you're having a colonoscopy, to put your mind at ease. Good luck, and don't worry about the test either. I had one 3 weeks ago, and it was very easy.
Posted 6/10/2007 6:38 PM (GMT -7)

Dre, I think you meant for your reply to be in this thread...

Dre from the Bx said...
u are right. Trying my best to learn how to relax. Im glad i had an opportunity to address this because as u can all imagine it is not the asiest topic to discuss.

Posted 6/11/2007 11:24 AM (GMT -7)
While it's good to get regular scopes when you have had colon cancer in your family, I would point out that your grandmother was in her 70's at the time she got hers. Old people are always more supceptible to cancer because of cell mutations that happen when your body is old and has been replacing its cells for a very long time--cancer is, normally, an old person's disease. If she had gotten the cancer when she was 40, that would put you at higher risk, because that means that something is going wrong with the genes too early in life. But, given that it's not appeared anywhere else in your family, and that your grandmother was already quite old, I would not worry that much. Like I said, it's the stuff that happens to younger people that you really have to be on guard for.

But definitely get the scope and set yoru mind at ease. From your descriptions of the blood, it definitely sounds like internal hemmroids, although you're still at more at risk for it being an IBD than cancer. Biggest likelihood, however, is IBS with hemmies. Two most common bowel complaints there are.
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