skyisblue 0 Posted April 23, 2022 Hi all, I am a 31 male who has had on and off health anxiety for more than a decade. Now this isn't the first time it happened, but just a while ago, I pooped this evening and when I wiped, there was some amount of blood on the tissue paper. Not just drops, but a huge smudge of it. It wasn't dripping or anything, but it was enough to freak me out. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see the poop itself because I had already flushed it before I wiped. Believe it or not, I have developed this habit of not looking at my stool and just flushing them immediately because I have this tendency to overanalyze it from the consistency, color, texture, etc. I've tried to make it a habit to only look at the stool if I have other abdominal symptoms. Now I kinda regret it because I wasn't able to check if the poop was the usual brown or was it bloody or tarry black. Anyway, I know that my issue is most likely caused by benign things like anal tears or piles, but I cannot help but think the worst. For the record, I have done some things recently: 1. My partner and I have recently tried anal stuff in sex like fingering and putting small toys. Sorry if this is TMI, but not sure if I had bled during those times. The last time we did it was three weeks ago which I guess was already too long ago if I only noticed the bright red blood on the tissue paper tonight (tho there might be a chance I did not notice it). We haven't done it since and we probably won't do it anytime soon. 2. For almost two weeks, I've tried reducing the amount of food I take because I want to lose more weight. 3. Bowel movement has been okay so far. Right now, I just keep reading how the big C is becoming more prevalent among younger people like me. :( I am just so damn anxious at the mere thought of anticipating my next poop, thinking ahead it might be bloody or black once I take a look. :( I was able to see a nice gastro who said that it could be just an anal tear. She put her finger on my butt for examination but said she couldn't feel anything like hemmoroids. She did say I should consider a colonoscopy, which I finally did. I am scheduled for one next Friday. She said she doesn't seem too concerned given my age and medical history although she said it's more of peace of mind. I am deathly scared of the results. Has anybody else had bad symptoms down there like pooping and bleeding but had a clear colonoscopy? Please help :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZestyBarnacle 0 Posted April 23, 2022 Great to hear you've scheduled a colonoscopy and will certainly give you the peace of mind you're after! I'm also a 31 y/o male & I recently had similar symptoms for three or so months (had a bit of this in my early 20s aswell). I was referred for colonoscopy & when I woke I was told by my surgeon he removed 17 polyps, the largest being 28mm - all of which contained no cancer or signs of high dysplasia, some smaller polyps remain which will be monitored or removed in my next scope in three months. My symptoms immediately resolved. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARC 429 Posted April 23, 2022 When I was 25, which was quite some time ago, I went to the bathroom and when I wiped, the toilet tissue was drenched in blood and the toilet bowl water was all blood red. I had an immediate meltdown and went to the ER, and they found nothing. I had a scope, and had a large hemorrhoid, which caused the bleeding. Back in 2019, I began having very painful bowel movements and had blood on the toilet tissue. This persisted for weeks, and I was sent for another scope, and they found hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. A and D ointment has helped me immensely. By the way, welcome to the forum too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark G 1186 Posted April 23, 2022 If the blood is bright red and looking at reading your post. I would say its almost certainly piles or a tear in the anal canal (fissure). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARC 429 Posted April 24, 2022 My GI physician who is the chief at a large regional medical center here in Baltimore, Maryland, has told me that all persistent rectal bleeding should be brought to the attention of a physician. He said depending on your age and symptoms, a determination will be made as to what additional testing is necessary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 190 Posted April 24, 2022 Definitely see a doctor. Something might happened, but was aggravated by the bowel movement action. If you are still seeing blood now, then that would make it more urgent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyisblue 0 Posted April 25, 2022 On 4/23/2022 at 6:30 PM, ZestyBarnacle said: Great to hear you've scheduled a colonoscopy and will certainly give you the peace of mind you're after! I'm also a 31 y/o male & I recently had similar symptoms for three or so months (had a bit of this in my early 20s aswell). I was referred for colonoscopy & when I woke I was told by my surgeon he removed 17 polyps, the largest being 28mm - all of which contained no cancer or signs of high dysplasia, some smaller polyps remain which will be monitored or removed in my next scope in three months. My symptoms immediately resolved. Thank you for your response. I'm glad that everything turned out well especially with the polyps they found. I just wish I could stay away from catastrophic thouoghts until then. 😞 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyisblue 0 Posted April 25, 2022 On 4/23/2022 at 10:24 PM, MARC said: When I was 25, which was quite some time ago, I went to the bathroom and when I wiped, the toilet tissue was drenched in blood and the toilet bowl water was all blood red. I had an immediate meltdown and went to the ER, and they found nothing. I had a scope, and had a large hemorrhoid, which caused the bleeding. Back in 2019, I began having very painful bowel movements and had blood on the toilet tissue. This persisted for weeks, and I was sent for another scope, and they found hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. A and D ointment has helped me immensely. By the way, welcome to the forum too. Hello Marc, thanks for your reply. I would've freaked out if that happened to me. But I'm glad everything turned out fine. Do you still get the bleeding issue now and then? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyisblue 0 Posted April 25, 2022 On 4/24/2022 at 6:07 AM, Mark G said: If the blood is bright red and looking at reading your post. I would say its almost certainly piles or a tear in the anal canal (fissure). Thank you. I just hope I can stay away from negative thoughts until the test. I keep Googling stuff and I cannot take it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyisblue 0 Posted April 25, 2022 7 hours ago, Ironman said: Definitely see a doctor. Something might happened, but was aggravated by the bowel movement action. If you are still seeing blood now, then that would make it more urgent. Yes, I am getting a colonosopy this week. I am just deathly scared of the results. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 190 Posted April 25, 2022 5 hours ago, skyisblue said: Yes, I am getting a colonosopy this week. I am just deathly scared of the results. This would be completely normal. No one wants to have to go through this. I am already being asked since I reached 45 in 2020. The good news is that if they find anything, it could be early. Even if it isn't, they'll still know what to do. To quote G. I. Joe, "Now I know, and knowing is half the battle!" 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZestyBarnacle 0 Posted April 25, 2022 9 hours ago, skyisblue said: Thank you for your response. I'm glad that everything turned out well especially with the polyps they found. I just wish I could stay away from catastrophic thouoghts until then. 😞 If you want to chat feel free to reach out, certainly can be difficult not to think of the worst even when the most common causes are really the most likely! Atleast you are on top of it & it sounds like you're in very good hands. All the best for your scope this week & enjoy the clean out! 😅 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyisblue 0 Posted April 28, 2022 Thank you Ironman and Zesty. I'm having the scope tomorrow and I am deathly scared of the results. I fear they will confirm something like the big C or a chronic condition. I am so close to backing out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 190 Posted April 28, 2022 13 hours ago, skyisblue said: Thank you Ironman and Zesty. I'm having the scope tomorrow and I am deathly scared of the results. I fear they will confirm something like the big C or a chronic condition. I am so close to backing out. That's anticipatory anxiety. You must also realize that there may be good results. At this point, the status won't change. If you do have anything, the doctors will know what to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZestyBarnacle 0 Posted May 2, 2022 How'd it go mate & how are you feeling? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 190 Posted May 2, 2022 Oh yeah, the test is over and no update? On 4/27/2022 at 11:13 PM, skyisblue said: Thank you Ironman and Zesty. I'm having the scope tomorrow and I am deathly scared of the results. I fear they will confirm something like the big C or a chronic condition. I am so close to backing out. 6 hours ago, ZestyBarnacle said: How'd it go mate & how are you feeling? He's giving us the panic attacks! lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites