Hi. I can imagine your being very anxious, seeing blood is very alarming.  Please do call the doctor tomorrow,  I know it will feel embarrassing, especially at 21, discussing this but the doctor will be well used to it. Try & insist you need an appointment urgently if they are not forthcoming. I say this not because I think this is something terrible but 6 weeks of anxiety needs to stop now.

There are lots of things that cause rectal bleeding, fissures, IBD, piles etc etc but all needs discussion & some attention so make that phone call & we'll be thinking of you.

Meantime have you a family member or friend you can talk to, they wouldn't want you to worry alone.

Lots of love to you x 

Hi smallandoverwhelmed, 

Just wondering how you're doing. Did you get to the doctor's this week?  I've been thinking about you. 

X

Hi I am wondering how you got on with your gp appointment x

Hi Dancingdeer, 

im sorry I haven't responded, I've buried my head in the sand. I haven't yet been to the doctors, I'm too scared. I feel things are getting worse within my health, but someone suggested it could just be piles. Not sure whether all the symptoms I'm having quite match piles though. 
 

how do you bring yourself to make the call to the gp? I'm terrified

ps. thank you for thinking of me, I saw your response on my emails a while ago and it was comforting  

Hi Charlottechloe,

not quite made the appointment yet, too scared! Not sure how people take that leap.

kind regards 

Please go to the doctor. At your age, it is very likely the issues is minor. I am 40 and the consultant told me that because I was young, the odds of cancer (with rectal bleeding, some loose stools and excess wind, along wih some weight loss) was very low and you are much younger than me. However, on the off-chance it is something serious (and that does not necessarily mean cancer, there are also things like Crohn's), it's better to be treated quickly and if it isn't, which is by far the more likely option, you will get some reassurance.

In my case, they found piles. Hopefully, it will be the same with you. But don't try diagnosing yourself. Get a proper diagnosis. The odds really are that it is nothing too serious but you do need answers. And even some of the minor things can be treated.

Please please please go to your gp as your first port of call, at first it's a little bit embarrassing they will arrange probably a fecal calprotecin test to check for inflammation and a blood test to check your iron levels, and crp markers again this indications inflammation or infection. I have all the same symptoms as you and these were normal. I went to see a private colorectal consultant who referred me for a colonoscopy on the nhs. I'm having it tomorrow. I promise you my anxiety was way way worse when I knew something was wrong but now I'm actually going going about having the tests my anxiety has subsided. Granted I'll be nervous tomorrow but the colonoscopy only takes around 10-45 min so not a huge deal and then you'll know what's the matter and how to treat it x

Hey,

Sorry, just seen your message.

It is a scary time for you & you'll feel you have to face things phoning doctor & it's embarrassing I'm sure BUT at the moment your life is on hold. 

Will worrying make it go away.....

Will worrying &ignoring make the bleeding stop....

The quicker you get a diagnosis the quicker you can get treatment be it for piles or a fissure or IBD or whatever. That's what I thought when I made the call ( found a breast lump). I just knew it was better to get examined rather than fester away worrying about it. Then whatever it is you will just face it & get on with whatever needs doing.

I promise you that once you make the call you will feel a weight off your shoulders.

Is there anyone at home that can support you & bully you to make call!?

Phone today & please let me know how you get on.

Thinking of you & sending you love. X

Hi Charlotte how did you get on today? Hope all went well x

Today I had my colonoscopy, i had been terrified of investigating my symptoms which were severe abdominal pain, filling the pan with blood upon bowel movements with clots, weight loss, appetite loss and other symptoms indicating bowel cancer, plus a family history of bowel cancer.I had every symptom of it, I was terrified I was convinced it was cancer. 
the colonoscopy itself wasn't that bad, it wasn't painful I took the sedation and it just felt like being drunk, there was a few weird feelings in my tummy area but honestly nothing to write home about. the prep wasn't bad either providing you follow a low fibre diet first. It didn't cause abdominal cramps like a normal stomach bug would. 
I was able to watch the whole procedure on the screen and the nurses and consultant leading the procedure asked and answered questions throughout, were very complementary and chatty to keep me relaxed. 
I could see all the areas of my bowel as the camera worked it way through, it looked red with some bloody areas but they assured me that none of this was cancer. 
after the procedure they told me I had 3 small lesions from some form of inflammation, perhaps from gastroenteritis or something similar. definitely no cancer!! And these small lesions/ulcers will resolve on their own. Plus the dreaded piles 
They were able to see all areas of my bowel and complimented me on my excellent bowel prep. 
the point of my post is please don't fear getting your worrying symptoms checked out, even if they seem severe. I have seen so many posts from people who are terrified to get checked out, in fact I was for a long time. 
Any bleeding, pain or changes in bowel habits need to be investigated, the anxiety of not going to the doctor and trying to self diagnose is was worse than speaking to a professional. 
the chances are it's not going to be cancer, but if it is early detection can save your life. Do not put it off for months and hope it goes away. Speak to the doctor, your family and friends. Nobody likes to talk about their poo or intimate areas but this could ultimately save your life or the life of someone you love. And let me reiterate it's probably not going to be cancer anyway. Don't suffer in silence and in pain. 
my post is here to reassure those on this forum who are going through something similar with a positive outcome. 
I am going to stick around on here for a while to hopefully encourage other people to get checked out. And it's not always the worst case scenario. 
Thank you eveyone on this forum for the support during this time it's been amazing and I wish you all well and so much love Charlotte x