Site to help with blood in Stool please?

gar32

Seems there is no medical advice allowed in "The long Term Illness" board.

I am looking to help my son (Please don't give medical advice)

Does anyone have experience or a link where I could find more info.

The 4 doctors and 10 visits to try find a reason just lead to having to wait.

He has pain someday and blood every few days.


Please attire to board rules here.

Many thanks

gar32

VikingG

I would have thought that one of the doctors would have suggested a colonoscopy... but you give very little details, such as how old is your son? what tests have been done etc?

Peregrinus

It can be a symptom of a whole range of problems, some of them serious but most of them, fortunately, not so serious. This site walks you through a few questions which might help to narrow down the possibilities, and that might help to give you some sense of understanding the problem better, but on this one I'm afraid there really is no good substitute for qualified medical advice.

gar32

So My son is 5 and the children's doctor in the hospital said that it is not a physical issue and colonoscopy would not be needed.

I would not like this tread closed and as it is an illness board I find it hard to know where medical advice and helpful info has a line.

gar32

We have cut out gluten and lot's of dairy product and replace with health alternatives.

We had parasite test done which was no issue.

Twice bacteria test but nothing high or out of the normal.

We will get Gluten & Lactose DNA test in 2 weeks.

gar32

Anal fissure come and go but as he is healthy other then this I am trying to find an underline issue.

gar32

Anal fissure for 4 months now seems too long to just be healing and having no cause

XsApollo

Go to your GP and tell him you want a colonoscopy done.
Tell him to refer you.
My wife had the same thing for a couple of years, different ages I know.
Same thing blood and pain.
Doctor was telling her to take fybrogel and saying change her diet.
Eventually she got a colonoscopy done after I told her go my GP and tell him what’s up.
She had a colonoscopy done a few months later and she was diagnosed with some for of IBD not Crohn’s disease but less severe. Can’t recall the name now.

Anyway moral of the story is GP’s in this country can be pretty Lax in this type of stuff.
If your not happy and feel something’s not right, you know your child best, then don’t take no for an answer go back to your GP and tell him your not happy and want something done.

seamus

^^ As XsApollo says, if you're not happy, then keep pushing for answers.

Avoid fad changes - cutting out gluten or dairy and using "healthy" alternatives.

A lot of these "healthy" alternatives that are processed foods in a box, can exacerbate problems, especially where the problem is constipation. So avoid cutting out anything unless you have a medical diagnosis that they're the problem.

Load his diet with fibre and water. Prune juice is fncking magic.

While I would continue to push for a colonoscopy, the hospital has told you that this is not a physical issue, which means it's a psychological one.

It's not uncommon for children to have mental blocks about defecating. Especially if it's been sore or traumatic in recent times, they can just point-blank refuse. And this is a vicious cycle - the longer they hold it in, the more likely it is to hurt and cause tearing when it does eventually happen, and the more likely it is to cause injures like anal fissures and tearing.

The child should pass stools at least once a day. If this is a case where they don't, or it's a struggle for them to go, then you need to work out a system to make it happen. Be that rewards for letting it happen, and/or having the child so loaded up in fibre, water & prune juice that they cannot physically hold it in. Eventually after you've managed to get a regular cycle in, the child will forget about the pain and the mental block will lift.

But keep pushing the medical professionals. Remember that they only get to see through a small window on your life, through which to make long-term diagnoses. You're there all day, every day, so you're the first line of defence to raise a flag when you're not happy.

gar32

When I said health I mean steamed Veg and lots of fruit. Cutting out more sweets, chocolate and crackers etc.

The issue is not him going as he has 2 or 3 movements a day. He is not in fear like he was at the start.

Other then this issue he is fit healthy and normal boy. He does have some discharge now and then.

Other then going back to hospital and asking for a colonoscopy I am not sure where to go. A colonoscopy. can also damage and fissure and after been told none was needed I would like to cross everything else out before going to do that.

Thanks for writing here my wife and I have this at the center of our lives for 4 months now.

gar32

Oh as for Gluten

The teacher mistakenly gave him 2 muffins 2 weeks ago and there was blood the next day more then normal.

We where suggested to cut out gluten and lactose in the hospital which we already done just in case.

Malayalam

A surprising number of young children in my circle have experienced faecal impaction or faecal incontinence. I know you are not describing the same thing though some had similar starting conditions. Makes me think of a few things, some new dietary ingredients in modern foods that is predisposing children to bowel troubles, and device addiction - some smallies are suppressing bowel urges in order to watch cartoons and games online. Just two guesses, maybe useful maybe not. In case of dietary cause bring his diet right back to natural foods only, home cooked. No sweets or chocolate - find some kind of sweet fruits that will be his treats. Chocolate really isn't good for small children - I am amazed how much they eat of it. Keep his bum comfortable with creams, maybe he is poking at it, you could try and find out? Children do surprising things. Best of luck, from family I know that it can be very distressing, mind yourself. One day soon it will be better

seamus

OK what you say is useful info. I'm going to preface this with me not being a doctor, so this is absolutely not medical advice.

You can't really go to a hospital and demand a colonoscopy anyway. If you have a consultant referral that you can use, then make an appointment and go in demanding clarity: If it's not physical, then what is it? And what is the next step?

A colonoscopy does indeed come with risks, including sepsis, so make sure you're happy that all reasonable avenues of investigation have been exhausted before choosing that.

The child has a couple of movements a day, presumably of a decent amount. Which indicates the diet is probably OK, and he's not mentally causing his own issues.

In terms of allergy testing - gluten sensitivity, IBS, etc - it's really, really tempting to try and get quick solutions. This is because allergy issues are by definition really difficult to nail down, and those suffering are desperate for quick fixes.

But if it's not recommended by a medical professional, then it's worthless. Any allergy test you can buy online or that comes recommended by a yoga teacher, is probably a scam.

Go back to the GP and ask for a referral to a Dietician. Not a nutritionist. A nutritionist is not a thing. These are just ordinary people with (often very poor) opinions. A dietician is a qualified medical professional, who can help you work through determining if there is a dietary component to this problem. And be patient - a lot of it will involve adding or removing something from a diet and then observing for weeks. Weeks during which you and your son are upset and in discomfort. But this is unfortunately the process, allergy testing is one of elimination and is slow and frustrating.

On a more practical level, one thing to keep in mind is the colour of blood in stools. While red blood is scary looking, it's typically the most benign. It indicates fresh blood from a fresh wound, usually tearing or haemorrhoids, which while uncomfortable, are not a very serious concern. Clotted blood is old blood from a deeper internal wound and is a much bigger worry.
So while it may be upsetting and the child is distressed, red blood is the most preferable blood you want to see coming out.

gar32

I have found a Dietitian near by and will try get an appointment.

Thanks all for you input. I hope I get some light on the issue soon. Time in this case in not a great healer. I just heard from home blood in movement again

I will keep updating here if we find anything. Maybe someone will need this advice later on and find your suggestion

gar32

So my wife is panicking thinking it is early sign's of Leukemia. 2 cousin in her family have blood cancer. Reading the possibility it seems very vage. I some times wonder how a doctor can do his job when there are so many things that it could be.

seamus

gar32 wrote: »

So my wife is panicking thinking it is early sign's of Leukemia. 2 cousin in her family have blood cancer. Reading the possibility it seems very vage. I some times wonder how a doctor can do his job when there are so many things that it could be.

Everything is cancer if you Google it. Doing a quick google there, an American drug company has an unordered list of causes of rectal bleeding and puts "cancer" at the top, even though it's not remotely the most likely cause. Because making people scared makes them money.

These things can always be checked out. A white blood cell count is a good place to start; if your son has had a blood test in the last 3 months and the doctor found no cause for concern about his WBC, then the chances of it being Leukemia are very, very narrow.
Other tests can be quite invasive, so by all means mention this at the next appointment but listen to what the GP says.

gar32

I think I need a new children GP as I have gone to 3 with this issue and other then a new cream I have not got any real answers. Other wise I would not go near google. Knowing more does no harm. Worrying more now that can cause sickness.

gotasmoke

I had similar symptoms, but I was much older than 5. Colonoscopy showed I had Ulcerative Colitis. Changing my diet has helped tremendously but from talking to others it's not always the same foods that trigger everyone. For me, bread and gluten is fine, but fresh fruit and dairy would trigger it.

Keep a food diary and note down what foods are consumed when your son has problems. Then systematically cut out different foods until you find out what the trigger foods are.

As others have said, I'd also keep pushing the GP to refer him for a colonoscopy. Best of luck with it.

gar32

https://www.choc.org/userfiles/file/Meal%20Planning%20Guidelilnes%20Ages%204-6-1.pdf

I was just readin this when you wrote.

Thanks

Wesser

XsApollo wrote: »

Go to your GP and tell him you want a colonoscopy done.
Tell him to refer you.
My wife had the same thing for a couple of years, different ages I know.
Same thing blood and pain.
Doctor was telling her to take fybrogel and saying change her diet.
Eventually she got a colonoscopy done after I told her go my GP and tell him what’s up.
She had a colonoscopy done a few months later and she was diagnosed with some for of IBD not Crohn’s disease but less severe. Can’t recall the name now.

Anyway moral of the story is GP’s in this country can be pretty Lax in this type of stuff.
If your not happy and feel something’s not right, you know your child best, then don’t take no for an answer go back to your GP and tell him your not happy and want something done.

This is a very unhelpful answer.
GPs do not do colonoscopy and the cannot MAKE a hospital Dr do a colonoscopy. The child has clearly been referred to a hospital Dr for an opinion on the condition and the hospital Dr has advised that this moment it is not needed. It is the hospital Dr that you need to be pressurising for a colonoscopy not the GP. A GP cannot order another Dr to just do one. To call this GP lax is disgraceful.

XsApollo

I never said the GP was lax.
I never said GP’s can do a colonoscopy.
I said GP’s Can be lax and damn right they can, if the parent isn’t happy, they should be pressuring.
And a GP can refer you for a colonoscopy can they not?

gar32

So blood again today with a small improvement from yesterday. We have thought him the 10 scale. 10 being very painful and zero none. It has been 10 many times but today was 7. We are going to a Holistic doctor next week which was hard to get an appointment he is so busy but other then an anoscope . We are following all lines to fix this. I have watched every video and read all the lastest studies on anal fissures and the is no silver bullet. The reasons and the treatments have come up with nothing we have not tried already. It is so hard to tell him he can't have so many food and treats but I am hoping a day will come he can have normal unhealthy food as a treat some day.

Wesser

No they cannot. A GP can write to a hospital Dr and request a colonoscopy.

Mostly they will write down that he or she ' is for ' a colonoscopy and the gastroenterologist will agree and do it but its the person doing the colonoscopy who has the final decision. This is mainly with adult medicine. In everyday consultation they will say I will organise a colonoscopy but in reality, it is only a request .

This is a 5 year old and a colonoscopy in a five year old carries higher risks as the gut is so small. Colonoscopies are rarely done on children. I'm not saying that he doesn't need a colonoscopy I'm just saying that pressuring your GP to order one is going to get you No where. You need to ask the hospital specialist.

Wesser

Its important to keep his bowel motion soft all the time. Laxatives may be needed and have to be maintained. Some children hold on and it can become a habit. They have to be taught to sit on the toilet 4 times a day to try and break the cycle of holding and use star charts when a poo is done. This stops the habit of holding. I don't think treats are the problem . Best of luck!

gar32

Yet another doctors visit and a suggestion it maybe yeast infection. After 1 week of the drops the fissure has opened again. Not helping is the whole family has the flu and my son had a fever. Awaiting 2nd parasite test and maybe a type of yeast. Also sent for DNA test for Gluten and lactose. After 5 months of taking stool softener and I am worried it is too long and taking him of it could be a problem. How common are dairy intolerance? He ate a gluten free waffle the other day caused pains followed by 3 bowl movements. 1st time he had this reaction but could it be that there was milk in a small waffle?

rightman

Hi All,
Any chance someone here could recommend a Gastroenterologist Consultant based on their own experience?
I've been diagnosed with UC back in 2000 - last couple of years I've been looked after by one local doctor but he took a different role that doesn't allow for seeing individual patients...
I've had appointments with two different consultants since but I struggle to be listened to or to have any option to ask questions (plus a bit of time from a doctor to answer them). I have a feeling that all they're interested in is to make profit and hopefully maintain, maintain and finally say oops - time to cut or chemo! I've measured the actual time of my last appointment - 7 minutes and 150e. It's like a joke - are you feeling well? any blood? here's your prescription and I'll see you in 6 months... He gave me a prescription for Salofalk and Steroids - take them when you feel you need to take them he said! Mad stuff - I took some steroids in the past and every single time it was strictly controlled by my leading doctor and there was none of this "cowboying".
I'd love to find a doctor that for the money will actually pay some attention to what I say and will try (even a bit only) to get to know me and my case. I don't mind the cost - it's normal that these visits have sense only in private rooms.
I appreciate any feedback and wish you all well!
Thanks!

gar32

I can not help as I am in Germany with a referral. I can help with advice in that try find some info on non standard treatment's also. The 5 doctor's I seen for my Son didn't help much and I feel diet and understanding the problem helped more. Your doctor is there to repair but only you can heal.

Good luck and I hope you can beat this problem !!!


gar32