Blood when I go to the bathroom? (TMI alert!)

[coffeegirl]

OK...I'm not asking for medical advice, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if so, what their prognosis was. I do plan on bringing it up when I have my regular OB appointment on Friday.

I've been real, real constipated lately. I think it's partly because I'm in my last month of pregnancy (I hear it's very common at this stage) and partly because of some pain medication that I'm currently taking regularly. Anyhow, about 3 days ago I finally got some relief and was able to go to the bathroom, with some difficulty. When I went to wipe, I noticed that the toilet paper was bloody. Not just a little bit, but a good amount. I wasn't actively bleeding...there was less and less blood on every subsequent wipe until it was gone. But it freaked me out.

Fast forward to today, and I was able to go for the second time this week, but this time it was a weird combination of constipation/diarrhea. And again, my first toilet paper swipe was covered in blood. I have no other symptoms except for this. Kinda freaking out here. Has ANYONE experienced anything remotely like this??

[MyFillingQuiver]

It's likely a hemorrhoid. Either internal or external.

I got a couple during my first pregnancy, and they've never gone completely away. However, they usually are pretty "non-bothersome". They flare during episodes of diarrhea. I rarely get constipated, but the couple of times in my life they've flared then, too.

I soak my fanny in a sitz bath, and honestly the best thing for mine is using a peri bottle with very warm water after each BM. Yeah, it's a pain, but that's what keeps me extremely clean and then they don't bug...a bit of witch hazel helps after if they are bugging you.

The blood is what I pray for when they get really bad (only a couple of times in 13 years or so) because that is the blood filled sac bursting. After that, they are done for a long time...

Of course check it out with your HCP, but I am thinking that's what it sounds like to me.

Blessings and hope you feel better!

[PrettyHippie]

Yeah, sounds like hemorrhoids. If it were an anal fissure you would probably have more pain. I've had to deal with both unfortunately. I got really backed up after a minor surgery as a result of the anesthesia slowing down my GI system. It was like razors slicing me apart down there. I would get flare ups for some reason for the first day or two of my period and then after DD was born even though I was pushing correctly. Lucky me... I second the warm sitz baths and witch hazel. They really can bring some much needed relief.

[JFTB1177]

Originally Posted by MyFillingQuiver

It's likely a hemorrhoid. Either internal or external.

Yep!!! I've had too many of these, ugh! One was so bad once that when I went to do a #2 it popped and blood exploded into the toilet!!! I am NOT kidding!!! Scared the crap out of me. I ran to the doc, she checked "back there", and confirmed it had been a hemorrhoid. I would go to the doc for a peace of mind, but I can almost guarantee that is what it is!

[lmk1]

I would agree that it's a hemorrhoid. I got one during pg #1, and it really got bad during this pg, where every time I'd have a hard bm (I've not been constipated), it would get irritated and I'd get loads of blood. I've gotten darker blood looking bm's and I was concerned about those as it couldn't be from same hemorrhoid, and I did ask my OB about it, and he said that very likely any blood during pg would be hemorrhoid related. It doesn't hurt otherwise. It's probably a good idea to bring it up to your OB, but also to keep an eye on it after pg. The amount of blood in your body will decrease after pg, so I would think hemorrhoids should settle down ... although not necessarily go away.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by MyFillingQuiver

It's likely a hemorrhoid. Either internal or external.

I soak my fanny in a sitz bath, and honestly the best thing for mine is using a peri bottle with very warm water after each BM. Yeah, it's a pain, but that's what keeps me extremely clean and then they don't bug...a bit of witch hazel helps after if they are bugging you.

Of course check it out with your HCP, but I am thinking that's what it sounds like to me.

to all three of the quoted passages above.

[MaerynPearl]

Yeah... really freaks you out though right? Ive had a few myself and it always gets my pulse racing to pull the tp back out and have it be soaked in bright red blood!

Sitz baths help... and my doctor made me start taking benefiber which helps too, keeps it soft so I do not get constipated but solid so I do not get diarrhea (I have IBS so it is fairly easy to push my body one way or the other)

[StoriesInTheSoil]

To prevent the constipation, are you taking a cal/mag supplement? That has helped me a lot.

[mra]

It's likely a hemorrhoid. Either internal or external.

I agree. I'm having the same issue. Some constipation and when I do go my stuff is streaked with bright red blood and a decent amount of it ends up on the toilet paper. I don't have any pain, but I do have to strain to go. Sorry if that was TMI!

I'm not worried, although I will also bring it up at my next doctor's appointment.

[myk]

i agree it's likely a hemorrhoid, which gets worse when you're constipated because of the pressure the impacted feces puts on your rectal veins. or, it could be an anal fissure, a small tear that occurs when passing a hard stool.

best to get checked out just in case but those are the two most likely culprits.

[Breathless Wonder]

If it is a hemorrhoid, or a vaginal varicosity, I've found homeopathic Hamamelis virginiana 9C to be VERY helpful.

[Black Orchid]

Are you sure it is from the rectum? I would probably do a self-vag check to make sure it wasn't coming from the vagina.

Increase your water intake to alieviate any constipation.

[trekkingirl]

I'm was on pain meds too. If I got to constipated I would bleed when I pooped too. I think it tears a bit when you finally poop. If I was having a hard time to go, I would not take my meds for long enough to start to go into withdrawl. That will give you the runs. Then once you go, take your meds.