Last October, I came back from a month long trip to Spain. Ah SPAIN, not known for lots and lots of vegetables and fiber. The land of meat and bread (and wine too). So, when I first saw these 'symptoms' I thought nothing of it. It probably was the result of the Spanish diet. And it didn't look like what I thought were the symptoms of colon cancer: dark red blood and 'pencil' stool. PENCIL STOOL?
Well anyway, I just assumed it was a hemorrhoid and promised I would check it out when I got a colonoscopy....which I wasn't in any hurry to get either.
4 comments:
"Pencil Stool" - I never heard of that before so I checked it out on the Mayo Clinic site. (I try to go there first for all my medical questions.) Here's what their Dr. Michael Picco said:
"Narrow stools that occur on an infrequent basis are probably not an indication of a serious underlying problem. However in some cases, narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer. In addition, irritable bowel syndrome may cause irregular stools that alternate between normal and either constipation or diarrhea. Such stools may also be narrower than usual.
Check with your doctor if you notice any changes in your bowel habits — such as narrower than normal stools — that last longer than two weeks."
I don't know if anyone looking at a changing shape would think it's an issue....
I Just made an appointment with the doctor after reading your blog. I have a problem with my Bic.
Per the Mayo Clinic:
"in some cases, narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer. In addition, irritable bowel syndrome may cause irregular stools that alternate between normal and either constipation or diarrhea. Such stools may also be narrower than usual.
Check with your doctor if you notice any changes in your bowel habits — such as narrower than normal stools — that last longer than two weeks. "
It's often quite difficult to be taken seriously enough by doctors. At times, I have thought I would have to be gushing blood in the waiting room. But, maybe that's because I have to go to doctors who accept Medicare.
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