I'm in my early 20s and have had IBS for years, but the most recent flare up has lasted for about 3 years (the longest one I've had!). I manage it with low-fodmap diet etc, but still often get constipation and diarrhoea.
I've had blood when I go to the toilet a lot over the last couple of years (I'd say about half the time), and have been to the doctor about it and it doesn't seem to be haemorrhoids or a fissure. I'm currently waiting to have a colonoscopy, but today there was more blood than usual, with clots in it - so now I'm a bit worried!
I was just wondering if anyone else with IBS gets regular bleeding or if it's likely to be ulcerative colitis or some other kind of IBD. also just if I should be worried / do anything about it before I have this colonoscopy?
Hi pt...Sorry that you have to go through a lot...Well with IBS you don't have bleeding, One reason can be because of frequent bowel movement and constipation, you can have hemorrhoids or fissures...BUt as you said it is not the case...Then colonoscopy will provide you some answers...Btw did you have some preliminary blood and stool tests to differentiate between IBS and other inflammatory disease? Like stool calprotectin, stool culture, esr, crp etc...Good luck with your colonoscopy...It will clear a lot of your query...
Yes I was bleeding a long time before I got haemorrhoids and so old in the tooth now with illness I am also bleeding out of the front. I did not even know that was possible. My body is giving up on me.
Ask for a fecal calprotectin test to see if you have inflammation in your gut which may suggest IBD. if it comes back very high, a colonoscopy would be done to confirm IBD. Bleeding is not a symptom of IBS but rather a complication of the condition resulting from haemorrhoids or fissures. If you don’t have haemorrhoids or fissures, the other possibility is IBD.
Not to like freak you out or anything but as far as I know, IBS does not cause bleeding. I get a little drop of blood on the TP a lot but it's because I wipe excessively and pretty hard at times. Constipation, which I get a lot as well, can cause hemorrhoids or fissures which leads to bleeding. But since you since it's in your stool and a lot of it, I think it's best to check with the docs
I’ve been diagnosed with IBS and get regular bleeding and it is down to haemorrhoids. Typed up in big, bold letter on my last colonoscopy discharge sheet. I got really worried as sometimes it would bleed a lot, like drips from my bottom, with clots too. The clots are from a previous bleed so I was told, as the blood isn’t in contact with the atmosphere / air, it doesn’t have a chance to dry out and go scabby as a normal external cut or wound would, so it just sits there in a jelly type consistency until you have your next bowel movement. My colon and last part of my small bowel looked very healthy according to the doctor, and biopsies were normal. I’m due a small bowel MRI to look for signs of IBD, following positive Calprotectin tests, however doctor says it’s unlikely I have IBD given my current symptoms and not being more ill than I usually am. The calprotectin results could be anything, mouth ulcer / abscess, sore throat, medication, food intolerance / allergy, it doesn’t mean you have IBD. I’m sure there are other tests that are more specific to bowel inflammation, but the only way to be sure are scans, biopsies and colonoscopies / endoscopies.
I worried a great deal with my last colonoscopy and bleeding, so I understand your worries. If you are really struggling get in touch with your doctor and explain your concerns. There may be not much he can’t do, but should be able to put your mind at ease slightly. I got given Anusol suppositories on the off chance it was haemorrhoids and it did calm my bleeding down.
Just remember blood is like milk, a little can go a long way. Tip a small bit of milk into a glass of water and you will see how far it goes. You think you may bleed a lot, as I did, but in fact it probably isn’t much.
Good luck and all the best, hope you get some answers soon.
ah these are all really helpful answers, thanks everyone!
a few of you mentioned a fecal calprotectin test - I had a stool test a couple of years ago and it came back normal I think, but I can't remember exactly what the test was. I guess that suggests it's unlikely to be IBD!
The main tests done on stool samples are faecal elastase, faecal calprotectin, looking for parasites and looking for blood in the stool.
Elastase test checks pancreas function, faecal calprotectin checks for inflammation in the gut, and blood, well that's obvious really. I can imagine you were probably tested for blood definitely, parasites probably, and maybe calprotectin. Elastase is usually requested by a gastroenterologist.
Good luck with the colonoscopy, the actual scope part the easiest part, the bowel prep is the worst, it can make you feel quite groggy and it's quite messy too. Make it through that and the rest is plain sailing.
If you can, stop worrying and just relax. Having a colonoscopy will help - a lot! Let's just wait for it but IBS doesn't cause your bleeding especially with clots in it. Hope your doctor gets this addressed soon. Hugs...