Concern About Ongoing Symptoms
Hello everyone! I’m a 21-year-old woman standing at 5 feet tall and weighing 160 pounds. I want to discuss an issue that has been weighing heavily on me for some time, and I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has faced similar challenges or has suggestions to share. For over three years, I’ve been dealing with severe constipation—almost constantly—and I also notice significant bleeding during bowel movements. Sometimes, it’s just a small amount on the toilet paper, but occasionally, it’s enough to fill the entire bowl. Additionally, I’ve been struggling with intense acid reflux for the same duration. Although I previously depended on laxatives, I successfully stopped using them about a year ago. However, I still need to take medication for my acid reflux regularly; otherwise, I end up feeling quite unwell. When I was 19, I underwent both a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. The results showed high levels of stomach acid and an internal hemorrhoid, which the doctors seemed to dismiss, suggesting it likely was the cause of the bleeding. Now, at 21, I still experience rectal bleeding at least every two weeks, which can last several days. This bleeding is usually bright red, and I often feel discomfort in my lower abdomen prior to it occurring, regardless of whether I am constipated at the time. I’m beginning to feel that something is amiss, and I’m contemplating whether it’s time to request further examinations or seek a second opinion. Has anyone encountered similar issues, or could you offer any insights?
Answers (1)
4/4/2025, 4:01:19 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about ongoing digestive issues like severe constipation and rectal bleeding, especially when they’ve persisted for years. Your symptoms, particularly the rectal bleeding and abdominal discomfort, warrant careful attention.
Key Points:
- Persistent Symptoms: Your ongoing constipation and the bleeding you're experiencing, even with a history of an internal hemorrhoid, indicate the need for further evaluation.
- Potential Underlying Conditions: Continuous symptoms like these can sometimes signal underlying gastrointestinal issues, which might not have been fully resolved with previous evaluations.
Explanation:
Constipation can often accompany conditions like hemorrhoids, but the presence of regular rectal bleeding—especially if it is bright red and recurrent—suggests the need to revisit your healthcare provider. Bright red blood usually indicates that bleeding is occurring from the lower gastrointestinal tract, potentially from hemorrhoids, but other causes should also be ruled out.
Next Steps:
Given your symptoms and the time that has elapsed since your last evaluations, consider the following prioritized actions:
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Track Your Symptoms: Start a log to note down the frequency, color, and amount of bleeding, as well as any associated symptoms (like pain levels or changes in bowel habits). This information can be very useful in a medical evaluation.
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Increase Dietary Fiber and Hydration: Add high-fiber foods to your diet (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and increase your water intake. Both may help alleviate constipation, which in turn might reduce the strain and injury that can lead to bleeding.
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Discuss Your Concerns: Reach out to a healthcare professional to discuss your ongoing symptoms and your concerns about potential underlying issues. Given the chronic nature of your symptoms and the history of bleeding, requesting a second opinion or follow-up examinations, possibly including imaging studies or a repeat endoscopy, may be warranted.
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Monitor and Prepare for Appointments: Prepare to share your symptom log with the healthcare provider. This can aid in diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
It's important to address these issues promptly, and seeking further evaluation is a responsible decision. You deserve to feel well and get to the root cause of your discomfort. Please take care and let me know if you need more specific advice or support.
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