7 ms·

It’s time to share something personal again. When I was 20, I vividly remember being in the bathroom at my workplace when a large amount of blood started comin

It’s time to share something personal again. When I was 20, I vividly remember being in the bathroom at my workplace when a large amount of blood started coming out. I did what any smart, effective 20yo would do: ignored it because I was embarrassed. Fast forward 10 years, and I’d been ignoring it for a decade. It had continued to happen every few months. Sometimes the blood was so bad I’d have to wait up to 20 minutes for it to stop. Other times I would see blood, but no bleeding. These are bad signs. If you see this, don’t do what I did. I was gambling with my life. Remember that popular video game commenter that died from this? Totalbiscuit? He concealed his, and he lost. The most unexpected thing is that when I actually wanted one, the process took over two years. And that was after a year or so of periodically mentioning it to the doctors, who would give me a sheet of numbers to call and I never bothered. Those three years could have been the difference. Turns out, there’s nothing wrong with me. It was hemorrhoids. You might think you’re smart enough to tell the difference. I thought so. I was a cocky idiot who could’ve died from cancer before seeing my daughter get married. Just get one if you see something. The final paragraph of the article pleads you to. The peace of mind alone was worth the small unpleasantness and major logistical annoyance.

ChrisCinelli 3y ago
If it is RED blood, it is a vein that breaks when the your stool passes. Most likely hemorrhoids. The problem is when you have BLACK blood in the stool. That may be an internal bleeding.
- rocqua 3y ago
  Red blood consistently still deserves to be checked out.
  - conductr 3y ago
    I had a misdiagnosed anal fissure for a year. Get the ass doctor involved early, my GP was clueless about it and had me trying hemorrhoid/lidocaine creams for a year while in agonizing pain. The first thing the ass doctor asked was; do you know what a fissure is? before the exam even started. I learned to skip past the general doctors to the specialist from this experience. Also, the anus is the fulcrum of your body, treat it well.
    - vladvasiliu 3y ago
      > I learned to skip past the general doctors to the specialist from this experience. What concerns is that where I live, it's my understanding that, with a few exceptions [0], you can't skip a GP and go directly to a specialist. And I'm not convinced that GPs here are any better than in the US or elsewhere. Bonus points for large parts of the country not even having enough GPs for their population. --- [0] You can go see an eye doctor or a dentist without seeing a GP first.
      - b800h 3y ago
        If you're in the UK (you used "GP", so I'm guessing), then you absolutely can. Just go private. (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/do-i-need-a-gp-referral-for-private-treatment/ https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-...). Don't bother with the NHS, it's a carwreck. See this, for example: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67239548 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67239548 Last month, after years of waiting, I got a letter again delaying my assessment for a growth on my neck, for the foreseeable future. It's a good job that I'd gone private a year ago, as it turned out to be extremely advanced, with neural invasion, requiring two rounds of surgery to be removed. Nationalised healthcare ought to be means-tested to target help at the people who need it, and not delay others who can afford to pay their way. The population 'pyramid' as it stands can't support the health and social care model we're using, and the lack of market incentives means that we don't train enough medics.
        vladvasiliu 3y ago
        I'm in France, I used GP since that's the term that seems to be used in the Anglosphere. It also seems like a reasonable translation of the French term – médecin généraliste. I'm hearing bad things about UK's NHS, and while I don't have any firsthand experience with it, I do get the feeling that the French system is going down the same path. It's true that I don't usually think about going the private route. I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can probably see a private specialist directly. I also don't know how much it would cost, but probably quite a lot, given the prices in the public hospitals, and I don't think it's covered by the insurance, even though I carry insurance above the standard national scheme.
  - greedo 3y ago
    ANY blood deserves to be checked out.
- kashunstva 3y ago
  Black stool (melena) indicates an upper GI source: esophagus, stomach, duodenum chiefly. But _any_ source of colonic bleeding is likely to be red to bright red. The possible pathologies are numerous: hemorrhoidal - as you mention, tumours, inflammatory bowel disease, arteriovenous malformations, diverticular disease, etc.
- k0k0 3y ago
  Wrong. There is melena, which is a generally unmistakable consistency of black sticky stool (nothing anyone would identify as "blood") that is indicative of upper GI bleeding - not the colon. It doesn't really indicate severity because it may be fast or relatively slow. Both upper and lower GI bleeding can be serious in terms of acuity or seriousness of disease (cancer). However if the internal bleeding from the upper GI system is brisk/fast enough it will come out bright red. This can happen to people with esophageal varices (sequela of liver disease and cirrhosis) or brisk stomach or duodenal ulcers and the prognosis is usually poor, but very likely they will be getting emergent endoscopies and/or mass transfusion if they make it out of the ED. You can't tell by color. > That may be an internal bleeding. Colonic bleeding is just as internal and will typically be red or maroon.
  - thinkingemote 3y ago
    Just a little aside for those doing a search in the future: many things you consume can also turn poop reddish so be sure to think about what you had for dinner if you've just noticed it. For example; beetroot, red wine, berries, stuff with food colouring etc.
    - joveian 3y ago
      In particular what you ate the past sveral days since it takes time to go through (exactly how long depends on your diet and body, but I think 2-3 days is common and a another couple of days is not uncommon). It takes long enough that it is easy to forget.
mikercampbell 3y ago
Jesus Christ, next time start with the fact that you’re not one thoracic tumor . I’m a dude that had GERD but got both ends checked and they found polyps, so I randomly got incredibly lucky. I was 26, and had less of a fight because of history, but it’s way worth it. Also, ask about the Miralax option!
- spondylosaurus 3y ago
  Seconding the Miralax option, just be sure to mix it with a flavor of sports drink that you don't plan on enjoying ever again :P
- CobaltFire 3y ago
  Same situation, but 10 years later for me. I’m now on a 3 year cycle due to the type of polyps.
D13Fd 3y ago
> worth the small unpleasantness and major logistical annoyance. I’ve gone through it twice now. Both times, the most annoying part was the 2 or so hours they make you sit there in a hospital gown with no phone or electronics and nothing to do, while you are starving and uncomfortable and waiting to have the procedure. I don’t know if it’s like that everywhere. But would it really be that bad to let people hang on to their phones? Why make this more difficult than it needs to be?
- TylerE 3y ago
  Give me phone or give me ativan. Either will suffice. Both is even better, but...
- BrandoElFollito 3y ago
  I went in, put the hospital robe on, 20 min later I was under anesthesia. I could keep my phone anytime (why would you not?). Now, in France you prepare yourself before and that's another horrifying story :)
- prirun 3y ago
  > But would it really be that bad to let people hang on to their phones? Yes, it would. The last time I had an EGD (same facilities as colonoscopy), there were 5 small rooms on each side of an aisle for patients. Some of the rooms had TVs turned on, some had patients' family members talking loudly, and of course the nurses were running all over the place, with many talking about what they did over the weekend, etc. Would it be so bad if people learned how to chill out for 2 hours without constant stimulation?
  - msrenee 3y ago
    I can happily chill out without my phone. I think it's something that more people should practice. I don't think that pre-colonoscopy is the time to expect people to go without comforting distractions.
dehrmann 3y ago
> The most unexpected thing is that when I actually wanted one, the process took over two years. The doctors probably thought it sounded more like hemorrhoids, but weren't going to stop you from getting the colonoscopy. Hopefully they at least did a digital exam and gave you recommendations. When the symptoms first happen, absolutely go to the doctor. Where it gets tricky is when it's probably nothing, but it might be something, and there's a disagreement on if more tests are worth it.
maxbond 3y ago
Thank you for sharing. I'll share a story to help destigmatize. A few months ago I was taken completely out of commission by GI symptoms, just hours and hours of pain and vomiting. It turned out I had an infection, but the infection caused there to be shapes on my intestine that apparently looked vaguely like Crohn's disease on the MRI (or something, I'm not a radiologist, my understanding is pretty vague. There were bubbles in my intestine from bacterial respiration). So I got a colonoscopy. And it turns out I'm fine. Drinking the prep isn't my favorite thing, but it's a task that gets done. If two gallons of salt water and a trip to the doctor is all that stands between you and seeing your daughter's wedding, make it happen and you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Everybody poops and everybody gets a colonoscopy. I got hemorrhoids afterwards too. Cutting corn kernels (if you know, you know) out of my diet made them go away. Afterwards I could eat them again. Life is strange.
- Zircom 3y ago
  The prep is even easier these days, my last colonoscopy earlier this year it was a few pills and then just drinking a lot of normal water.
  - hef19898 3y ago
    I vividly remember the old "disgusting powder downed with 4-5 litres of water in two hours" followed by thebsame time on the toilette. Nowadys, while still not delicious, the stuff is acceptable taste-wise, takes all of 1 litre of liquid and after three trips to the bathroom you're good. No idea ehy people are so afraid of that. Ifbyou have nothong, fine. If you do, it migjt very well save your live or very serious surgery down the road. After all, whatever it is, it wont go away just because it remains undiagnosed. After all, a falling tree in the woods without anyone next to it still makes the same noise.
- youngtaff 3y ago
  Yeh, the prep is the worst… Might be the skill of the surgeon who did my three colonoscopies (and the fentanyl sedation) but I didn’t fund the actual procedure too bad It’s quite interesting seeing you own insides and the colonoscope they used for me had a transmitter the the head so you could see it’s shape as it snaked through the colon
antoniuschan99 3y ago
It’s also good know that if you’re seeing bright red blood then it’s a higher chance it’s hemorrhoids whereas dark red you definitely should get it checked because it’s coming from inside your colon. Also there’s supposedly a poop test called fecal occult blood test that has a high rate of detecting colorectal cancer that you do over the course of 3 years. I saw this on nhk Doctor's Insight: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2086035/ https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2086035/
- spondylosaurus 3y ago
  Bright red blood can also be a sign of inflammation/bleeding in the low low colon, e.g., proctitis. (Ask me how I know, lol.) As a rule of thumb, the farther the blood has to travel, the darker it'll be. Blood from high up enough in your GI tract will be a black, tarry substance, NOT red, but it's absolutely blood and you need to get that checked out ASAP.
- szundi 3y ago
  Advice too simplistic, end of colon can emit blood also and then it’s brighter
  - Aeolun 3y ago
    “Recurrent bleeding from colon is bad, go see a doctor.” Is a fairly simple rule.
    - kalium-xyz 3y ago
      IMHO depends on the amount. If you are severely dehydrated and you notice your stool physically hurt coming out. A small amount of blood might honestly not be unexpected. Edit: To be clear “severely dehydrated” is kinda an important factor here. Point being that if the cause is obvious I dont see why you’d get a colonoscopy. Please correct me if im wrong instead of just downvoting for anyone who knows more about this thx ^^
      - 3y ago
scruple 3y ago
I've had the experience that... I was told when I was separating from the military, at 25b(I don't know why and I didn't ask...), to expect a colonoscopy. It didn't happen. I mentioned it to my GP a couple of years later, he said probably between 30 and 35... Now I'm in my 40s. It's perpetually a couple of years away. I get the sense from this, and from other anecdotes in life, that preventative maintenance, of all flavors, is something we used to do, for a brief period of time, but that we don't really do anymore.
- bojan 3y ago
  In the Netherlands they begin with preventive colonoscopies when you turn 55. Then you get one every 5 years. The newest science says they should even begin at 45.
  - landemva 3y ago
    > The newest science says I was speaking with my Dr. about these exploratory procedures and asked if early diagnosis extends life. He responded with general recommendations. Every procedure has a risk. I have no symptoms, so what science studies with control groups show extending life?
- dudus 3y ago
  Since my mom had colorectal cancer at 45 I was expected to start colonoscopy at 35 and then every 5 yrs I did the first only so far and no polips. There's nothing to be scared. It takes less than an hour and is painless. The worst part is the prep you do at home a day before. It's very powerful stuff. You'll be shitting clear water by the time they do the exam.
stuckkeys 3y ago
Lucky you. I am color blind. I cannot see certain hues which in poop is very critical. Although once I did drink prune juice and I freaked the hell out after going to the bathroom (I had forgotten I had taken few cans) The color was so strong. But yeah, I think men in general like to postpone having to bring this to anyones attention and it sucks.
- crimony 3y ago
  My dad was also colourblind, and it was only when my mum saw the blood in the toilet that he got tested (at 57). Stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer. He got 8 more years of life but I wouldn't say they were all good years. He died nearly 20 years ago now. Mum is still in good health at 81. I'm 53 now and have had 5 yearly colonoscopies since I was 35, I'm not taking any chances. I don't mind the prep, and don't feel a thing or remember anything about the procedures themselves.
- Obscurity4340 3y ago
  There might be "apps" for that although you should heartily review their privacy policy and alway have internet off for it
theodric 3y ago
I've had two colonoscopies done in the last 10 years. The second was possibly unnecessary, but I pushed for it because I just really enjoy propofol. Maybe if more people knew that the sedative drugs used in the procedure are fun, they'd be more inclined to have it done. Edit: downvotes? Really!? I'm 100% fucking serious! Work any angle to get people to test!
- polotics 3y ago
  I am really curious as to why you enjoy propofol: is this in any way producing euphoria? Normally you should just feel really sedated then pass out, with little difference between this experience and being just tired then asleep. is the large-ish quantity of white fluid getting into you not off-putting?
  - theodric 3y ago
    Nah, it's fine. At colonoscopy doses, if you fight it, you can remain semi-conscious, and the process of coming out from sedation is pretty trippy as bits of your brain that have been muted come back online at different rates. It's unique, it's legal, it won't show up on a drug test, and it's as near to 100% safe as any drug use can be. (You're in a hospital, for crying out loud!) (Plus I like watching the video feed from the camera. How many other people have seen the inside of their colon, live? It's cool!)
    - Obscurity4340 3y ago
      Cartoons are amazing in this context ;)
  - Supermancho 3y ago
    > I pushed for it because I just really enjoy propofol After about the 4th? time I had it (I've had 9 cardioversions, along with many types of surgeries), I realized I liked propofol. By the 6th time, it was the highlight of any procedure. I found that the high comes from trying to fight the anesthetic and the amazing quality of sleep you get, plus I will agree the wakeup is tricky. Be careful about what you're really obsessed with, as you'll likely talk about random aspects of your hobby as you come out of the stupor. The next best thing, I would say is Demoral, which gives me the instant feeling of being peak-drunk without the need for all the troublesome alcohol. Anything acute and severe, that cannot be immediately triaged, can justify getting an injection. This drug is very tightly controlled now. I do avoid pain killers as a personal policy, to ensure I am aware of what's going on in my body at all time (since it's a delicate thing). That being said, I can understand Michael Jackson's addiction.
op00to 3y ago
I haven’t had hemorrhoids since I installed a bidet. Just passing on some info from one sensitive butthole to any others out there!
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
temporallobe 3y ago
Pretty much the same thing happened to me but the bleeding started in my 40s and I was very embarrassed about it. The bleeding was so bad that I developed anemia and had to be on iron supplements. It would cone and go and eventually my doctors convinced me to see a GI specialist and to get a colonoscopy, but I kept putting it off because of fear - fear of the process and fear of what they might find. The GI specialist I eventually saw turned out to be one of the best in the country and, based on my symptoms alone (especially the anemia), he was 99% confident it was just hemorrhoids but opted for the colonoscopy anyway. Since I have GERD as well he did an upper endoscopy at the same time while I was under. Turns my colon is completely normal, and I don’t even have any polyps (which my father had several at my age). Don’t need another one for 10 years. Honestly my biggest fear was going under with propofol. A lot of people I spoke with said it felt great but I didn’t have that experience. I hated the feeling of slipping into unconsciousness in a way that was not similar to other anesthetics I had been under, and I felt like complete garbage the whole rest of the day. Other than that, the prep was perfect fine and I had never taken a more legendary shit in my life.
- gymbeaux 3y ago
  I’m the only person I know who has a consistently bad time with THC gummies. I wonder if there’s a connection it’s your experience with propofol. (Yes I vary dosage, mindset, brand, delta 8 vs delta 9, sativa vs indica vs hybrid, empty stomach, full stomach).
rendleflag 3y ago
When I was 12 or 13 (in the early 1980s), the same thing happened to me. I told my mom, who scheduled an appointment at the doctor. At the appointment the doctor needed to prove around with his finger and said “mom, maybe you should wait outside”. My mom said no, she’d be there with me. I looked at her and said “no, you are going outside”. I was not going to get fingered while my mom watched. She left and the doctor did his job. Turned out to be harmless.
kwhitefoot 3y ago
> The most unexpected thing is that when I actually wanted one, the process took over two years. And that was after a year or so of periodically mentioning it to the doctors, who would give me a sheet of numbers to call What? When my GP decided I was at risk for cancer of the colon I was scheduled for a colonoscopy within a couple of months and I didn't have to call anyone. This was in Norway. But also, didn't your GP examine you?
StillBored 3y ago
I OTOH, took a dump in the woods and noticed the entire top of the pile was fresh blood. Freaked out. Started paying attention and saw some evidence in the toilet a couple times. Called bunch of drs the following monday, setup an apt with digestive dr, took 4 weeks to see him, and another two before the colonoscopy and a bunch of tests. By then, nothing no idea where it came from, no evidence of anything. "Probably hemorrhoids" and $1200 out of pocket after insurance. And people wonder why no one goes to the Dr in the USA before they are 1/2 dead.
holuxian 3y ago
Agreed. I only had one sign something was amiss - a small amount of bright red blood in my stools, once. No pain, no discomfort. But it alarmed me enough to schedule a colonoscopy, a procedure I hadn't had before. The doc told me not to worry, as it was probably just a hemorrhoid. Before the procedure, the doctor was cordial and animated. As I was waking up afterward, his composure was totally changed - a sign something was wrong. He told me he found a mass, and scheduled a CT scan for the next day. That scan showed I had stage IV colon cancer, with metastases in my lymph nodes and liver. Other than that single blood sign, I had no indicator whatsoever of the dire situation. Thankfully, I was admitted to MD Anderson, where I firmly believe I had the best team possible treating me. I have a good amount of collateral damage as a result of the treatment, but remain cancer free. I am grateful to still be here, as several of my friends with similar diagnoses aren't. I am definitely pro-colonoscopy. The short-term discomfort of the prep is nothing in comparison with 12 rounds of chemo.

ChrisCinelli 3y ago

If it is RED blood, it is a vein that breaks when the your stool passes. Most likely hemorrhoids. The problem is when you have BLACK blood in the stool. That may be an internal bleeding.

rocqua 3y ago
Red blood consistently still deserves to be checked out.
- conductr 3y ago
  I had a misdiagnosed anal fissure for a year. Get the ass doctor involved early, my GP was clueless about it and had me trying hemorrhoid/lidocaine creams for a year while in agonizing pain. The first thing the ass doctor asked was; do you know what a fissure is? before the exam even started. I learned to skip past the general doctors to the specialist from this experience. Also, the anus is the fulcrum of your body, treat it well.
  - vladvasiliu 3y ago
    > I learned to skip past the general doctors to the specialist from this experience. What concerns is that where I live, it's my understanding that, with a few exceptions [0], you can't skip a GP and go directly to a specialist. And I'm not convinced that GPs here are any better than in the US or elsewhere. Bonus points for large parts of the country not even having enough GPs for their population. --- [0] You can go see an eye doctor or a dentist without seeing a GP first.
    - b800h 3y ago
      If you're in the UK (you used "GP", so I'm guessing), then you absolutely can. Just go private. (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/do-i-need-a-gp-referral-for-private-treatment/ https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-...). Don't bother with the NHS, it's a carwreck. See this, for example: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67239548 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67239548 Last month, after years of waiting, I got a letter again delaying my assessment for a growth on my neck, for the foreseeable future. It's a good job that I'd gone private a year ago, as it turned out to be extremely advanced, with neural invasion, requiring two rounds of surgery to be removed. Nationalised healthcare ought to be means-tested to target help at the people who need it, and not delay others who can afford to pay their way. The population 'pyramid' as it stands can't support the health and social care model we're using, and the lack of market incentives means that we don't train enough medics.
      - vladvasiliu 3y ago
        I'm in France, I used GP since that's the term that seems to be used in the Anglosphere. It also seems like a reasonable translation of the French term – médecin généraliste. I'm hearing bad things about UK's NHS, and while I don't have any firsthand experience with it, I do get the feeling that the French system is going down the same path. It's true that I don't usually think about going the private route. I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can probably see a private specialist directly. I also don't know how much it would cost, but probably quite a lot, given the prices in the public hospitals, and I don't think it's covered by the insurance, even though I carry insurance above the standard national scheme.
- greedo 3y ago
  ANY blood deserves to be checked out.
kashunstva 3y ago
Black stool (melena) indicates an upper GI source: esophagus, stomach, duodenum chiefly. But _any_ source of colonic bleeding is likely to be red to bright red. The possible pathologies are numerous: hemorrhoidal - as you mention, tumours, inflammatory bowel disease, arteriovenous malformations, diverticular disease, etc.
k0k0 3y ago
Wrong. There is melena, which is a generally unmistakable consistency of black sticky stool (nothing anyone would identify as "blood") that is indicative of upper GI bleeding - not the colon. It doesn't really indicate severity because it may be fast or relatively slow. Both upper and lower GI bleeding can be serious in terms of acuity or seriousness of disease (cancer). However if the internal bleeding from the upper GI system is brisk/fast enough it will come out bright red. This can happen to people with esophageal varices (sequela of liver disease and cirrhosis) or brisk stomach or duodenal ulcers and the prognosis is usually poor, but very likely they will be getting emergent endoscopies and/or mass transfusion if they make it out of the ED. You can't tell by color. > That may be an internal bleeding. Colonic bleeding is just as internal and will typically be red or maroon.
- thinkingemote 3y ago
  Just a little aside for those doing a search in the future: many things you consume can also turn poop reddish so be sure to think about what you had for dinner if you've just noticed it. For example; beetroot, red wine, berries, stuff with food colouring etc.
  - joveian 3y ago
    In particular what you ate the past sveral days since it takes time to go through (exactly how long depends on your diet and body, but I think 2-3 days is common and a another couple of days is not uncommon). It takes long enough that it is easy to forget.

mikercampbell 3y ago

Jesus Christ, next time start with the fact that you’re not one thoracic tumor . I’m a dude that had GERD but got both ends checked and they found polyps, so I randomly got incredibly lucky. I was 26, and had less of a fight because of history, but it’s way worth it. Also, ask about the Miralax option!

spondylosaurus 3y ago
Seconding the Miralax option, just be sure to mix it with a flavor of sports drink that you don't plan on enjoying ever again :P
CobaltFire 3y ago
Same situation, but 10 years later for me. I’m now on a 3 year cycle due to the type of polyps.

D13Fd 3y ago

> worth the small unpleasantness and major logistical annoyance. I’ve gone through it twice now. Both times, the most annoying part was the 2 or so hours they make you sit there in a hospital gown with no phone or electronics and nothing to do, while you are starving and uncomfortable and waiting to have the procedure. I don’t know if it’s like that everywhere. But would it really be that bad to let people hang on to their phones? Why make this more difficult than it needs to be?

TylerE 3y ago
Give me phone or give me ativan. Either will suffice. Both is even better, but...
BrandoElFollito 3y ago
I went in, put the hospital robe on, 20 min later I was under anesthesia. I could keep my phone anytime (why would you not?). Now, in France you prepare yourself before and that's another horrifying story :)
prirun 3y ago
> But would it really be that bad to let people hang on to their phones? Yes, it would. The last time I had an EGD (same facilities as colonoscopy), there were 5 small rooms on each side of an aisle for patients. Some of the rooms had TVs turned on, some had patients' family members talking loudly, and of course the nurses were running all over the place, with many talking about what they did over the weekend, etc. Would it be so bad if people learned how to chill out for 2 hours without constant stimulation?
- msrenee 3y ago
  I can happily chill out without my phone. I think it's something that more people should practice. I don't think that pre-colonoscopy is the time to expect people to go without comforting distractions.

dehrmann 3y ago

> The most unexpected thing is that when I actually wanted one, the process took over two years. The doctors probably thought it sounded more like hemorrhoids, but weren't going to stop you from getting the colonoscopy. Hopefully they at least did a digital exam and gave you recommendations. When the symptoms first happen, absolutely go to the doctor. Where it gets tricky is when it's probably nothing, but it might be something, and there's a disagreement on if more tests are worth it.

maxbond 3y ago

Thank you for sharing. I'll share a story to help destigmatize. A few months ago I was taken completely out of commission by GI symptoms, just hours and hours of pain and vomiting. It turned out I had an infection, but the infection caused there to be shapes on my intestine that apparently looked vaguely like Crohn's disease on the MRI (or something, I'm not a radiologist, my understanding is pretty vague. There were bubbles in my intestine from bacterial respiration). So I got a colonoscopy. And it turns out I'm fine. Drinking the prep isn't my favorite thing, but it's a task that gets done. If two gallons of salt water and a trip to the doctor is all that stands between you and seeing your daughter's wedding, make it happen and you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Everybody poops and everybody gets a colonoscopy. I got hemorrhoids afterwards too. Cutting corn kernels (if you know, you know) out of my diet made them go away. Afterwards I could eat them again. Life is strange.

Zircom 3y ago
The prep is even easier these days, my last colonoscopy earlier this year it was a few pills and then just drinking a lot of normal water.
- hef19898 3y ago
  I vividly remember the old "disgusting powder downed with 4-5 litres of water in two hours" followed by thebsame time on the toilette. Nowadys, while still not delicious, the stuff is acceptable taste-wise, takes all of 1 litre of liquid and after three trips to the bathroom you're good. No idea ehy people are so afraid of that. Ifbyou have nothong, fine. If you do, it migjt very well save your live or very serious surgery down the road. After all, whatever it is, it wont go away just because it remains undiagnosed. After all, a falling tree in the woods without anyone next to it still makes the same noise.
youngtaff 3y ago
Yeh, the prep is the worst… Might be the skill of the surgeon who did my three colonoscopies (and the fentanyl sedation) but I didn’t fund the actual procedure too bad It’s quite interesting seeing you own insides and the colonoscope they used for me had a transmitter the the head so you could see it’s shape as it snaked through the colon

antoniuschan99 3y ago

It’s also good know that if you’re seeing bright red blood then it’s a higher chance it’s hemorrhoids whereas dark red you definitely should get it checked because it’s coming from inside your colon. Also there’s supposedly a poop test called fecal occult blood test that has a high rate of detecting colorectal cancer that you do over the course of 3 years. I saw this on nhk Doctor's Insight: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2086035/ https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2086035/

spondylosaurus 3y ago
Bright red blood can also be a sign of inflammation/bleeding in the low low colon, e.g., proctitis. (Ask me how I know, lol.) As a rule of thumb, the farther the blood has to travel, the darker it'll be. Blood from high up enough in your GI tract will be a black, tarry substance, NOT red, but it's absolutely blood and you need to get that checked out ASAP.
szundi 3y ago
Advice too simplistic, end of colon can emit blood also and then it’s brighter
- Aeolun 3y ago
  “Recurrent bleeding from colon is bad, go see a doctor.” Is a fairly simple rule.
  - kalium-xyz 3y ago
    IMHO depends on the amount. If you are severely dehydrated and you notice your stool physically hurt coming out. A small amount of blood might honestly not be unexpected. Edit: To be clear “severely dehydrated” is kinda an important factor here. Point being that if the cause is obvious I dont see why you’d get a colonoscopy. Please correct me if im wrong instead of just downvoting for anyone who knows more about this thx ^^
    - 3y ago

scruple 3y ago

I've had the experience that... I was told when I was separating from the military, at 25b(I don't know why and I didn't ask...), to expect a colonoscopy. It didn't happen. I mentioned it to my GP a couple of years later, he said probably between 30 and 35... Now I'm in my 40s. It's perpetually a couple of years away. I get the sense from this, and from other anecdotes in life, that preventative maintenance, of all flavors, is something we used to do, for a brief period of time, but that we don't really do anymore.

bojan 3y ago
In the Netherlands they begin with preventive colonoscopies when you turn 55. Then you get one every 5 years. The newest science says they should even begin at 45.
- landemva 3y ago
  > The newest science says I was speaking with my Dr. about these exploratory procedures and asked if early diagnosis extends life. He responded with general recommendations. Every procedure has a risk. I have no symptoms, so what science studies with control groups show extending life?
dudus 3y ago
Since my mom had colorectal cancer at 45 I was expected to start colonoscopy at 35 and then every 5 yrs I did the first only so far and no polips. There's nothing to be scared. It takes less than an hour and is painless. The worst part is the prep you do at home a day before. It's very powerful stuff. You'll be shitting clear water by the time they do the exam.

stuckkeys 3y ago

Lucky you. I am color blind. I cannot see certain hues which in poop is very critical. Although once I did drink prune juice and I freaked the hell out after going to the bathroom (I had forgotten I had taken few cans) The color was so strong. But yeah, I think men in general like to postpone having to bring this to anyones attention and it sucks.

crimony 3y ago
My dad was also colourblind, and it was only when my mum saw the blood in the toilet that he got tested (at 57). Stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer. He got 8 more years of life but I wouldn't say they were all good years. He died nearly 20 years ago now. Mum is still in good health at 81. I'm 53 now and have had 5 yearly colonoscopies since I was 35, I'm not taking any chances. I don't mind the prep, and don't feel a thing or remember anything about the procedures themselves.
Obscurity4340 3y ago
There might be "apps" for that although you should heartily review their privacy policy and alway have internet off for it

theodric 3y ago

I've had two colonoscopies done in the last 10 years. The second was possibly unnecessary, but I pushed for it because I just really enjoy propofol. Maybe if more people knew that the sedative drugs used in the procedure are fun, they'd be more inclined to have it done. Edit: downvotes? Really!? I'm 100% fucking serious! Work any angle to get people to test!

polotics 3y ago
I am really curious as to why you enjoy propofol: is this in any way producing euphoria? Normally you should just feel really sedated then pass out, with little difference between this experience and being just tired then asleep. is the large-ish quantity of white fluid getting into you not off-putting?
- theodric 3y ago
  Nah, it's fine. At colonoscopy doses, if you fight it, you can remain semi-conscious, and the process of coming out from sedation is pretty trippy as bits of your brain that have been muted come back online at different rates. It's unique, it's legal, it won't show up on a drug test, and it's as near to 100% safe as any drug use can be. (You're in a hospital, for crying out loud!) (Plus I like watching the video feed from the camera. How many other people have seen the inside of their colon, live? It's cool!)
  - Obscurity4340 3y ago
    Cartoons are amazing in this context ;)
- Supermancho 3y ago
  > I pushed for it because I just really enjoy propofol After about the 4th? time I had it (I've had 9 cardioversions, along with many types of surgeries), I realized I liked propofol. By the 6th time, it was the highlight of any procedure. I found that the high comes from trying to fight the anesthetic and the amazing quality of sleep you get, plus I will agree the wakeup is tricky. Be careful about what you're really obsessed with, as you'll likely talk about random aspects of your hobby as you come out of the stupor. The next best thing, I would say is Demoral, which gives me the instant feeling of being peak-drunk without the need for all the troublesome alcohol. Anything acute and severe, that cannot be immediately triaged, can justify getting an injection. This drug is very tightly controlled now. I do avoid pain killers as a personal policy, to ensure I am aware of what's going on in my body at all time (since it's a delicate thing). That being said, I can understand Michael Jackson's addiction.

op00to 3y ago

I haven’t had hemorrhoids since I installed a bidet. Just passing on some info from one sensitive butthole to any others out there!

deleted 3y ago
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temporallobe 3y ago

Pretty much the same thing happened to me but the bleeding started in my 40s and I was very embarrassed about it. The bleeding was so bad that I developed anemia and had to be on iron supplements. It would cone and go and eventually my doctors convinced me to see a GI specialist and to get a colonoscopy, but I kept putting it off because of fear - fear of the process and fear of what they might find. The GI specialist I eventually saw turned out to be one of the best in the country and, based on my symptoms alone (especially the anemia), he was 99% confident it was just hemorrhoids but opted for the colonoscopy anyway. Since I have GERD as well he did an upper endoscopy at the same time while I was under. Turns my colon is completely normal, and I don’t even have any polyps (which my father had several at my age). Don’t need another one for 10 years. Honestly my biggest fear was going under with propofol. A lot of people I spoke with said it felt great but I didn’t have that experience. I hated the feeling of slipping into unconsciousness in a way that was not similar to other anesthetics I had been under, and I felt like complete garbage the whole rest of the day. Other than that, the prep was perfect fine and I had never taken a more legendary shit in my life.

gymbeaux 3y ago
I’m the only person I know who has a consistently bad time with THC gummies. I wonder if there’s a connection it’s your experience with propofol. (Yes I vary dosage, mindset, brand, delta 8 vs delta 9, sativa vs indica vs hybrid, empty stomach, full stomach).

rendleflag 3y ago

When I was 12 or 13 (in the early 1980s), the same thing happened to me. I told my mom, who scheduled an appointment at the doctor. At the appointment the doctor needed to prove around with his finger and said “mom, maybe you should wait outside”. My mom said no, she’d be there with me. I looked at her and said “no, you are going outside”. I was not going to get fingered while my mom watched. She left and the doctor did his job. Turned out to be harmless.

kwhitefoot 3y ago

> The most unexpected thing is that when I actually wanted one, the process took over two years. And that was after a year or so of periodically mentioning it to the doctors, who would give me a sheet of numbers to call What? When my GP decided I was at risk for cancer of the colon I was scheduled for a colonoscopy within a couple of months and I didn't have to call anyone. This was in Norway. But also, didn't your GP examine you?

StillBored 3y ago

I OTOH, took a dump in the woods and noticed the entire top of the pile was fresh blood. Freaked out. Started paying attention and saw some evidence in the toilet a couple times. Called bunch of drs the following monday, setup an apt with digestive dr, took 4 weeks to see him, and another two before the colonoscopy and a bunch of tests. By then, nothing no idea where it came from, no evidence of anything. "Probably hemorrhoids" and $1200 out of pocket after insurance. And people wonder why no one goes to the Dr in the USA before they are 1/2 dead.

holuxian 3y ago

Agreed. I only had one sign something was amiss - a small amount of bright red blood in my stools, once. No pain, no discomfort. But it alarmed me enough to schedule a colonoscopy, a procedure I hadn't had before. The doc told me not to worry, as it was probably just a hemorrhoid. Before the procedure, the doctor was cordial and animated. As I was waking up afterward, his composure was totally changed - a sign something was wrong. He told me he found a mass, and scheduled a CT scan for the next day. That scan showed I had stage IV colon cancer, with metastases in my lymph nodes and liver. Other than that single blood sign, I had no indicator whatsoever of the dire situation. Thankfully, I was admitted to MD Anderson, where I firmly believe I had the best team possible treating me. I have a good amount of collateral damage as a result of the treatment, but remain cancer free. I am grateful to still be here, as several of my friends with similar diagnoses aren't. I am definitely pro-colonoscopy. The short-term discomfort of the prep is nothing in comparison with 12 rounds of chemo.