Hi, I've so far been posting in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia forums. I have a long list of symptoms and no diagnosis yet. I've been having bowel problems, but have tended to place them further down on the priority list. However, I have now become quite concerned.
I feel a little bit uncomfortable posting about bowel habits on the internet, but it is an IBS forum after all.
Growing up, I had alternate constipation and diarrhoea quite a lot, but just thought that was normal as I didn't really know any better. Last October I was in hospital and became very constipated from strong pain killers. I took various things to overcome that hurdle, and things seemed back to normal. However, since then my stools have been almost always very narrow. I tend to be more consistently regular than in the past, but feel concerned about the small narrow stools, and having just diarrhoea now. I tried not to worry too much, except I have now started bleeding when going to the toilet too. I have had haemorroids in the past, so maybe it's just that.
But in my mind: Persistently narrow stools + rectal bleeding = bowel tumour! Am I right or wrong about that?
Do people with IBS have similar symptoms, or should I be really concerned? I'm only 24, and I am aware that bowel cancer is rare at my age. However, it is not unheard of for people in their 20s to get bowel cancer.
Thanks for your help, it's greatly appreciated!
Hi Annya - welcome to the board!
first off, don't be worried about being too graphic on here - as you say after all, that's what this board is about! it soon becomes second nature lol!
As for your symptoms, well i know narrow stools can be a sign of ibs (as i have them myself) but bleeding from inside the colon is not. As you say it could be hemmies (especially if the blood is bright) But it also might be indictive of another disorder like UC or Chrones
As you say you are quite young and it would be unlikely that you have a tumour (or probably anything more 'serious' than ibs for that matter), but because your bathroom habits have changed and also because you are seeing blood in your poops you should check it out - if only to put your mind at rest.
i would recommend seeing your doc who might arrange some tests for you if he/she feels you need them...
take care
roadtrip 
Hi Annya,
Welcome to the forum!
It seems as though roadtrip covered everything.
Always talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any changes that bother you. (Like you said, it may just be a hemmie given you have had them in the past.)
Take care.
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum
Welcome to the forum!
It seems as though roadtrip covered everything.
Always talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any changes that bother you. (Like you said, it may just be a hemmie given you have had them in the past.)
Take care.
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum
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Hi Annya,
I'm usually on the UC forum, but I was just browsing through here when I read your post. The reason I'm replying is because I have UC and I recognise your symptoms, as for the narrow stools I have thickening of the colon, which results in me having narrow stools and the blood is a result of the ulcers bursting.
Of course you may just have hemmies which could result in bleeding, but I suggest you get to a Gastrointerologist (GI), he or she will do a colonoscopy which will enable the GI to see what's going on.
I must confess before I got diagnosed with UC scarey thoughts entered my head such as bowel cancer, of course once that was ruled out it was a relief, so get yourself to see a GI as soon as you can to put your mind at rest.
Any time you feel like it pop over to the UC firum we'll be glad to offer any more advice.
Take care.
Dave
I'm usually on the UC forum, but I was just browsing through here when I read your post. The reason I'm replying is because I have UC and I recognise your symptoms, as for the narrow stools I have thickening of the colon, which results in me having narrow stools and the blood is a result of the ulcers bursting.
Of course you may just have hemmies which could result in bleeding, but I suggest you get to a Gastrointerologist (GI), he or she will do a colonoscopy which will enable the GI to see what's going on.
I must confess before I got diagnosed with UC scarey thoughts entered my head such as bowel cancer, of course once that was ruled out it was a relief, so get yourself to see a GI as soon as you can to put your mind at rest.
Any time you feel like it pop over to the UC firum we'll be glad to offer any more advice.
Take care.
Dave
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I think with any bleeding you should see a gastro Dr. he may only do a smear or maybe just a sigmoid since you are so young. That would how hemroids. If you have been straining at all that would cause hemroids to bleed but you shuld check it out as worrying will only make intestinal problems worse.
My suggestion is that you go get scoped by a good GI, you sound closer to IBD rather then IBS (although one can have both)...don't take chances, get a check-up.