May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Cancer Bleeding in stools, pregnancy and IBS.
Bleeding in stools, pregnancy and IBS. |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: 4 years ago I had major bariatric surgery (Duodenal switch) which involved bypassing all but 85cms of my intestinal tract. Before this I was borderline IBS and since this, the symptoms have gotten worse. I often alternate madly between watery stools and constipation and often have lower abdominal cramps and trapped wind. My stools are also very thin (pencil thin) and sometimes it will feel like I need to open my bowels, even when I don't, or when I try there is next to nothing there. For the past few days I've been bleeding quite heavily (about 15ml I'd say) every time I have a bowel movement. Even bleeding this heavily when I pass wind so that whenever I feel the need, I have to go to the toilet to avoid bleeding into my underwear. I have had these symptoms before but never had this much blood this frequently and certainly never when I'm passing wind! When I saw my doctor before, he put it down to an anal fissure, gave me the treatment and it cleared. However, this time there is no anal pain (just a lot of blood), where as previously it was sore, very painful and hurt a lot when he examined me. I am aware that being pregnant, the baby puts pressure on the blood vessels in the anus which is why pregnant women get haemmorhoids. However, my late grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer and I am concerned there is more going on and that the pregnancy, operation and IBS could hide something more sinister. Should I insist on being screened and sent to a specialist? Dear Georgia: Certainly I would suggest you first to consult your physician to confirm the presence of blood in your stools with a simple test requiring a stool sample. After this is confirmed, and depending on how your levels of hemoglobin are, immediate treatment or waiting after your pregnancy is over would have to be evaluated by your physician. In my opinion and due to your history of intermittent diarrhea and especially constipation perhaps exacerbated by your pregnancy due to the reasons that you already know, a possibility of bleeding hemorrhoid might need to be ruled out. It is very important that you start by confirming blood in your stool and also have a CBC to assess your Hemoglobin levels. Other testing such as Proctoscopy or Colonoscopy might be needed after depending on the findings. In the meantime, continue your Iron pills and pre natal vitamins. I wish you a prompt recovery. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 April 2011 ) |
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