Very Bloody Stools...YIKES

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BlueCowgirl
BlueCowgirl Member Posts: 667
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Of course I am in an absolute panic...Have already gone through chemo, lumpectomy, mastectomy, and about to start radiation, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, or so I thought. Unfortunately my Oncologist is out of town, but am about to call to see if I can get an appointment with whoever is covering. 

I know my body - all of our bodies - have been through a lot between drugs and surgeries and chemo, so I am hoping there are some of you out there who have experienced this only to find it was "nothing" vs colon cancer or something like that...Anyone? 

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited August 2011

    Did you have pain in your lower left side? Chemo constipated me and I got all kinds of nasty things from it. Diverticula that bleed, hemorrhoids that bleed, and a wonderful fissure that made me scream everytime I went...and it really made me bleed. I know this is gross but is it just the last thing to come out or throught the stool? That matters. How much is alot? You can get very anemic in a short time if you continue to bleed. Don't wait for your onc. Go to the ED if it doesn't stop. It probably has nothing to do with cancer and more to do with the effects of the chemo on your intestines.

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  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited August 2011

    Is the blood bright red, or dark and tar like?  Bright red blood indicates it is fresh, and possibly hemarroids.  Bleeding in the colon, because it has remained there for some time, will be darker, like congealed blood at a wound.

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  • BlueCowgirl
    BlueCowgirl Member Posts: 667
    edited August 2011

    It's bright red blood, but it is throughout the stools, not just while wiping. By a lot, I mean A LOT, as in, not to be too graphic or gross, but the toilet was like a red cloud when I flushed.

    I finished chemo about 2 months ago, did have some mild hemmorhoids back then, and hemmorhoids again around my last surgery 2 weeks ago, which have resolved, and only involved very mild spotty bleeding around my rectum, nothing in stools. I have no pain or discomfort in my lower abdomen or rectal area.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited August 2011

    bright red blood in stool is normally from hemmorhoids, or tiny tears in the anus area. Since it is not alot of blood it may simply be

     irregularity from Chemo.

    Try increasing fluids and adding fibet toyour diet If it

    cntinues or gets worse get it checked out.

    i wouldn't worry at this point.

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited August 2011

    Almost a year ago I was horrified to find the toilet full of bloody diarrhea.  I thought the worst.  Got to the ER and ended up staying 3 nights while they poked around and scheduled a colonoscopy.  I was away from home so had to explain that yes I knew they were seeing Cancer on the CT scan.

    Anyway, long story short, they determined that I had some diverticuli and likely one of them had been bleeding.  Once I finished the prep for the colonoscopy the bloodiness finally was gone.  It's almost a year and I haven't had a recurrence of anything related to diverticulitis or diverticulosis.  Knock on wood.

    You may find something similar, although mine was a darker red indicating it was coming from farther up in the colon.  As others have said yours may be something closer to the anus such as a hemmarhoid.

    Best wishes and try not to panic.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited August 2011

    I agree with the ladies not to panic at this point.  It's so hard not to be able to trust and know our bodies anymore.  I find myself constantly questioning every new ache and pain, and not knowing if it's the normal aging process or something "else."

    I was having gastro issues after chemo and had a colonoscopy which showed a benign polyp (which they removed) as well as irritation to the stomach lining.  Definitely call your doc and see what avenue they'd like to pursue.

    Take care,

    Sharon

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  • jyg
    jyg Member Posts: 198
    edited August 2011

    Never ignore blood in your stool, although hemorrhoids are the most common cause. Infections, reactions to antibiotics or other meds, a bleeding tumor (not always cancer), tears alon the anal lining can all cause bright red blood like you are describing. The point is to have this evaluated. Your primary care doc can start the work up tomorrow (unless the bleeding continues profusely tonight)

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  • BlueCowgirl
    BlueCowgirl Member Posts: 667
    edited August 2011

    Thanks everyone. I did get ahold of my Oncologist and he gave me a whole list of symptoms for which I should go to the ER immediately - none of which I have, thank goodness. He is going to try and get an Gastroenterologist to see me tomorrow, which I am hoping will get my questions answered. Oncologist said he highly doubts this is a sign of mets, so I am a lot less anxious than I was before our conversation. His thought too was likely internal hemmorhoids, but there are also a number of not-so-serious other possibilities too.

    Thanks for all the support and advice, and I will update once I have gotten a handle on what is going on.

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  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 327
    edited August 2011

    Bradley,

    I had very similar symptoms... not to be graphic... but the whole bowel, too! I FREAKED out and thought the worst. After a colonoscopy, it was determined it was from pesky hemmorhoids. I was never HAPPIER to hear it was this!!! So, I absolutely agree you should not ignore bloody stool. You will have peace of mind once you do the necessary tests.

     Best of Luck!!!

    Nicole

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