3, Maybe 4 years now, off and on, had blood when I take a number 2 (colonoscopy, bleeding)

[Frank Dux]

Anyone know what would cause you to sometimes have blood on the toilet paper or in the water only sometimes for a period of 3 or 4 years? I feel soarness down below in the anal region sometimes, but it's not always this way. Anyone deal with this before?

[beachmel]

Have you done a lot of heavy lifting? Have you been a truck driver? Have you gotten constipated and strained, while having bowel movements? It's possible that you have hemorrhoids.

There's always a possibility of colon polyps or colon cancer, but hemorrhoids are more likely.

[theatergypsy]

Dux, are you talking bright red blood or black/tarry blood? Generally, if you're "seeing red", it's a sign of hemorrhoids/fissure, or possibly even extremely spicy food. Black/dark indicates occult blood and means something more serious. I urge you to make an appointment with your doctor and explain just what you've said here. Nothing can replace the advice you get from your doctor - not even the excellent advice from your CD friends.

I'm a colon cancer survivor and I cannot underplay the importance of getting diagnosed/treated, or finding out that what you have is nothing more serious than over-indulgence in jalapeno peppers.

Can we count on you to follow up?

[Forever Blue]

Woah, you've had this for 3-4 yrs & never even went to a doctor about it?! Not from personal experience, but it could be hemrroids (sp?) which is bad enough OR something worse. Make a doctor appt ASAP.

[Escort Rider]

It blows my mind that people would have something potentially serious like rectal bleeding and instead of asking a doctor about it, they turn to anonymous strangers on a public internet forum. Sure, having a colonoscopy is no one's idea of fun, but it beats the hell out of having colon cancer. Poster Forever Blue (and others) are correct: "Make a doctor's appointment ASAP". This is not the situation to self-diagnose.

Bright red blood can also come from a polyp in the large intestine. Polyps should be removed before they become cancerous.

[DaniellaG]

I agree you need to see a doctor asap. You have to face this and by putting it off could be making something that could be treated much worse.

[nmnita]

of course see a doctor, most likely it isn't anything serious and you will put your mind at ease, but if it is serious the longer you wait the worse things will be. Most likely it is simply hemroids (spelling) or it can be a few other things. If this has been going on for 3 or 4 years why have you not talked to your doctor? You will need a colonoscopy isn't something we get excited about, but, if nothing else it will ease your mind and it might save your life..

[Capt. Cave Man]

Dux, your not alone. I've had same deal. Mine will come and go and I've eliminated food from being the problem. Mine tends to be more stress driven.

I've had friends who have had the saem thing also. It is a good idea to go see Dr.

[AZgarden]

MEN !!! What is wrong with you??? Fear of going to the doctor with a problem of this nature, I guess. My very good friend, a wonderful person, died from colon cancer. He was a MAN and also a physician.