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Comment by maxerickson | Hacker News Reader

Any amount of unexplained rectal bleeding is reason enough to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

The doctor is likely to recommend a colonoscopy. Removal of polyps (a likely source of bleeding) reduces the chances of cancer developing and can only be done during a colonoscopy.

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Had forgotten about two experiences I had in roughly three months ago.

Stiffer feces lead to "tight squeeze" and then bleeding to the point of dripping in the toilet. True red blood. This happened twice within a week, feeling around in shower discovered pain on surface of recturm. I was eating terribly at the time.

It went away and I went on with life. Reading this today is a billboard reminder to get colonoscopy and clear myself ASAP.

Many experiences of that. The chinese TCM call that 热气 ("heatiness"). Excess of fried food, toasted stuff etc likely to cause it.

BUT...General message to everyone....anything that seems not normal, and persist more than a few days.... GO SEE A DOCTOR. What is the cost of a visit vs the value of your life? In any case go visit every year to get a checkout if you can afford so. Its a duty to those your care for and to those you care about.

I had rectal bleeding similar to the OP. My GP dismissed this as probably just a hemorrhoid, and due to my age at the time (42) didn't refer me to a gastroenterologist. Almost cost me my life. A year later, the symptoms persisted and he finally made the referral. The gastro doc knew instantly upon exam that I was in serious trouble. A scope turned up a 5cm tumor that required a full resection. Luckily I survived to write this post; 12 years that have been a blessing. To anyone with rectal bleeding of any type, see your GP and ask for a referral to a specialist, regardless of age!

Bright red blood is generally not a big problem as it just means hemorrhoids or a cut on the anus. If you EVER see DARK RED blood you should go get a colonoscopy immediately. There is no good reason for that to ever happen.

Agreed. First thing I thought when I read that. To anyone reading, there is no OK amount of bleeding there, excepting some aggressive tp, and even that can lead to issues. If you have this issue, it is not likely cancer, but many of the causes are deadly if not addressed. Please see a doc.

Fuck. For what seems like years I occasionally have some bright red blood on the TP and occasionally the toilet is red. I don't know why I never thought to go to a doctor. I figured it was from hemorrhoids or something. Generally though, I don't get sick, unless of course I have been and just ignored it.

The last several years I was working to develop a workable "cure" for bipolar (Which it seems I have, but which took a lot of research time and emotional energy.) Perhaps I ignored these things because I couldn't stand the idea of something more.

If there is anything the journey to healing from so called "Bipolar" taught me it was that I have a robust nervous system and can look this stuff head on if I have to.

I'll go get checked out this week if not tomorrow. Thanks for posting this.

Oh, also. I have a friend who recovered from multiple bouts of cancer by eventually for going western medicine and doing vegan diet and reversed everything.

I'd also suggest looking into some sort of psychedelic therapy, perhaps ayahuasca -- the emotional system is the immune system and it really wouldn't hurt. Also, may help with the psychological experience you are having now.

Grateful that you are here and reporting back from the front lines.

Can you comment more about the cure for bipolar disorder?

I began writing up a reply for you, but realized the comments might get turned off before I have a chance to post it. You can email me anthony@175g.com if you like. I will post here too when it's ready.

I was incredibly surprised how the author dismissed this symptom. Maybe I am just paranoid but if something like that happened to me I would go to the doctor's immediately.

I'm almost ashamed to ask but what's "explained rectal bleeding"? An unusually large/solid movement causing direct damage?

It's possible to swallow something indigestible that then comes out in poop - sometimes this could cause bleeding. If you have anything inserted in your anus for any reason this could also cause bleeding.

Say someone recently had a colonoscopy and the doctor told them they had hemorrhoids.

If someone stabbed you in the rectum, the bleeding is explained. You should still probably get it looked at.

True, but the most likely cause is hemorrhoids! Still, this should never, ever, be ignored.

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