Stomach problems

[worriedbella]

[TMI warning]

Hi! I'm 19 years old and I've been having stomach/digestive problems since ~2 years ago

Sometimes my stomach hurts for no reason, sometimes I just lose my appetite
I changed my diet (gluten free) because it seemed like I had developed a gluten intolerance
I've lost ~2-4kg since then, I'm not sure if that's normal or something I should look into

My most recent concern is that blood (bright red) keeps coming out with my poo
I don't think it's mixed in with the poo, mostly visible at the end and on the tissue paper
I've been wanting to contact the GP about it but this keeps coinciding with my period (happened last month too)
I know it's not my period blood that I'm seeing, but I can't do the tests on my period
I also have bowel changes quite frequently

I don't know how concerned I should be... does anyone have any advice?

 

[FlipperK]

Bright red blood usually points to hemorrhoids.

If you are seeing bright red blood, that means the bleeding is in/near the rectum and not in the digestion tract.

Still need to get it checked out to get a definite diagnosis

 

[Belizz]

If it occasionally happens and as Flipper said if blood is only on toilet paper then it is most likely an issue like hemorrhoids.

Your stomach pains and nausea may be caused by gastritis, ulcers (very treatable) or IBS, it's not uncommon at your age.
You may have a couple of undetected food allergies or intolerances.
It's worth having it checked, though I doubt it would be anything sinister at your age I guess.

 

[Suzannenightmares]

Hi there.

I knew someone who had cancer of the bowls and her experience and numerious others, is that the bleeding is heavy and constant, so I think if you are having trouble going to the toilet and thus straining, there is a good chance that it is as has been suggested.

Do you have a fever?

 

[worriedbella]

Thank you for your replies, I'm sorry I haven't been on, I've been busy studying for exams!

I've seen it happen 3 times this year, so I don't think it's constant, but it's popping up quite a bit. I'm not sure about heavy, again it's more noticeable when I wipe, the whole toilet bowl doesn't become bright red or anything, but I think I did see some blood coming out.

I do think that I did strain a little bit? I often feel a bit of discomfort/pain no matter what kind of stool, my GP says I have a weak digestive system? I took omeprazole for a little while but then I had to stop it because apparently, it wasn't too good for me to be on it for too long. I just try to eat as many vegetables as I can.

I don't think I have a fever. I naturally run warm and I had a headache the other day, but I know that was because I was stressing over a test I had that day.

These days I've been seeing dark brown mucousy(?) stuff when I wipe, I think this is what happened the other times too before it finally stopped. It's all a bit scary but I'm hoping it just means it's going to stop again soon. I hope it's just hemorrhoids or something else that will get better.

I don't think it's anything sinister but I'm so tired of being scared to go to the bathroom because I don't know what I'll see.

I'll try to go to the doctor ASAP.