Question: I am under a lot of stress at work at the moment. Today I have had symptoms that feel stress-related. I feel like I need to go to the bathroom continually (I did go #2 in the morning, but that did not relieve the feeling). When I go to the bathroom to relieve the feeling, I strain and only a bit of blood and pus (mucus) comes out--not a lot but enough to know that is what it is. I know I have hemorrhoids and I had a clean colonoscopy about 4 years ago. I do get occasional blood on the toilet paper (about every 4 months or so). But this is drops in the toilet, both blood and mucus. I have slight gas pains, like I need to go to the bathroom. I feel fine otherwise, but stressed. I ran 4-5 miles today, so have plenty of energy. Any advice as to what this might be and what I should do?

I had a colonoscopy four years ago that was clear of any piles. But I was told I have hemorrhoids. I went to my GP last summer just to double-check my overall health, and all was fine, no anemia and so on, although I reported occasional blood (perhaps every 4 months on toilet paper). Both my mother and sister had/have Celiac. I have one gene for it (not two genes); but four years ago, and upper endoscopy revealed that I do not have Celiac.

My questions are:

1) If my symptoms disappear today or tomorrow, can I wait on the colonoscopy. (It did not go well...). In other words, if this were something more serious, would not my symptoms be more continuous? As it is, I generally see a bit of blood once every few months (I think the last time was September or October), and it lasts only a day or so.

2) 1) If it is IBS, will it go away when I assume a more stress-free life in three weeks?

Thank you!

Thank you. I think my symptoms may have eased away for now. I hope it is indeed IBS, stress-induced, and hemorrhoids acting up at the same time.

But yesterday I contacted my GP and he scheduled a colonoscopy for Wednesday (tomorrow). That scares me a little, his rush to do so. He suggested colitis as a cause, although like most people, I worry about a more dire diagnosis. At any rate, I am not closing our this conversation until after my colonoscopy in case I have more questions.

Thank you!