Hi,
I'm at a loss for what to do .... and this is an embarrassing topic as well. Here goes:

About 4 days ago I noticed my stool (which was normal in every other way)was quite red, and I had a lot of red - somewhat bright - streaks on the toilet paper as well. I felt fine otherwise. Since then, nothing - all is normal. Other symptoms which may/may not be related: an occasional minor "gnawing" sensation in my belly (which may also be due to hunger since I don't eat an overabundance of calories); very, very minor "cramping" on occasion, some weight loss without trying - I weighed 138 this time last year, but seems like my clothes (esp. bottoms) just don't fit anymore. Other than some muscle and joint aches, I feel really good.

A brief rundown of me: I'm 57, female, eat a super-clean diet ... NO restaurant or fast food, organic whole-food, mostly plant-based (I eat some fish and some organic grass-fed dairy); rarely eat anything processed, etc. I am 5' 6"/127 lbs./fit (I'm a personal trainer). I believe in holistic health and nutrition vs. conventional Drs...my history with them has been almost entirely negative and I avoid them if at all possible.

I have done hours of research on the internet, but have not come up with much. I really want to avoid having a colonoscopy (I've never had one and really have no risk factors); but I know if I go to a conventional Dr. that's the 1st thing they will probably mention. I am currently on Medicaid, so going to a Naturopath or Holistic Dr. is really not an option, financially.

Can anyone offer any suggestions or advice? Thank you in advance.

I'd look to what you ate up to 48 hrs before.

Beets will do this... and excessive cola consumption (Coke Zero especially), or colorful ice cream.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/stool-colo...s/faq-20058080

Sometimes an internal hemorrhoid will color the stool.
If you tend to be constipated, this may cause internal hemorrhoids over time.

Streaks on the stool itself can come from fissures. Fissures are very common and often hard to get rid of.

But you may need to see a doctor if this continues.

Thank you mrsD - I appreciate the prompt response. I have been experimenting with beets and their greens the past few weeks ..... but the incident seemed to come almost immediately after a piece of Pecan Pie ;-) a holiday treat. And for the record, I am a "regular" person - 2-3x per day. Never in my life have I been constipated.

In any case, the information you posted is worthwhile and I will see how things go in the coming weeks.

Thank you and Happy Holidays ~

MrsD is right about the commonest causes of streaks of blood on/in the stool - hemorrhoid or fissure - especially when it is a one-off event. I would not be unduly concerned.

However, as someone who has gone through this, been through years of denial and ended up with a dx of Colorectal Cancer, I would urge anyone who has regular blood in/on the stool or a change in bowel habits, to get it checked out IMMEDIATELY. Embarrassed and uncomfortable is better than dead - I was very lucky after leaving my symptoms for 3 years, but it took aggressive treatment and has left me with many problems.

Dave.

I had blood off and on for many years but I also dealt with constipation for many years. I did not go to a doctor but for me I've seen no blood for some years. I've upped my magnesium intake daily, upped Vit C dosage daily, take Zinc picolinate daily I'm not certain what cleared everything up. I eat meats but not heavy heavy meats but some. Drink more water than ever and hemmroids I had most of my life are gone. I've never had a colonoscopy and at 77 feel comfortable with my decision on this. What has worked to reverse it all, I can't say for sure but I'm happy about no blood signs.

Oh, I've been taking grape seed extract for over 20 yrs so maybe this antioxidant has been beneficial in this area too. I've been working with supplements for 25+ yrs.

Hope you find some answers....

I agree with Dave.

My father-in-law had occult stool blood for a few months.

My partner convinced him to get it checked out, which was just as well.

It turned out to arise from early-stage colon cancer - treatment was successful.

When Dave and Kiwi mentioned the "C" issue and no one wants to hear that one. I went to 1995 when I got on Pycnogenol and then a year later on Grape Seed Extract, we were told by MD's and researchers on the panel...that this powerful OPC may prevent cancer(s)...that is the MAIN reason I got on it.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/255182.php

More info including hemorrhoids:

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/grape-seed

I may have just discovered another miracle with this OPC. Hadn't thought about it until now.

Dear bchristine,

My first thought after reading your post was possible hemorrhoids. There are a lot of simple, harmless, reasons possible, including medications.

On the other hand, it is not something to simply be dismissed either. I understand your reluctance to rush to the doctor and undergo an invasive endoscopic procedure.

I would talk with a doctor as there are some other less invasive means of testing and giving you some peace of mind.

Everyone else has already covered most of the things I would have said.

You may want to consider a newer test called "COLOGUARD". It is an at home test, ordered by a physician, and mailed to a special lab. It is a little similar in the steps taken for an FOBT test done at home and submitted to a lab. Private and non-invasive.

You may want to look it up online and read about it. It must be ordered by a physician but you can request that be the first step taken rather than an endoscopic procedure.

Remember, just because your doctor may recommend a particular procedure, you do not have to agree to it. Don't shy away from discussing the matter with your doctor for fear of what he/she might suggest. What you do is YOUR decision, not your doctor's decision. He can only recommend, advise, suggest. You always have a right to decline.

I do think you should seek medical advice to be safe. Again, there are other tests that can be done other than a colonoscopy.

I agree with what Hopeless wrote about FOBT.

Here they go (free) to all citizens and permanent residents who are over 50. A kit comes in the mail - it is just a matter of following the simple instructions and posting the kit results off to a pathology lab for analysis.

The recommendation here is that all people who are over 50 should have a FOBT every two years.

http://www.cancer.org.au/about-cance...your-fobt.html

Even simple hemorrhoids really need treating before they become problematical. An 'opening' investigation should firstly be done by your GP and be minimally invasive.

Dave.