Some descriptions in this post may disgust some people. Those who study or have experienced these symptoms will relate to the descriptions. My intent is not to offend, but to educate.
In the fall of 2005 I began to notice blood in my stool. I wasn't really having any cramping. In fact I didn't really even have diarrhea. I was having 2-3 stools per day, instead of the 1 I would normally have when I didn't have diarrhea. The stools were somewhat yellow (not normal for me) with obvious amounts of blood mixed in. I didn't strain or experience any pain, so I figured whatever it was, it wasn't a hemorrhoid. I did notice that I had the urge to urinate more frequently, and felt like I had to go even immediately after voiding. Urination didn't cause any pain, but other than the blood this was my only symptom. I waited to see if this would go away. After about 3 weeks it was getting worse. Still no pain, but the amount of blood was increasing. I figured I had better see a specialist.
I knew a co-worker had a sister that worked at a hospital, so I asked her what specialist I should go see. Following her recommendation I made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist. When I called to make the appointment they asked about my symptoms. They seemed incredulous that I had no pain. They asked if I had pain when I pushed on my abdomen. I pushed around a bit and noticed that I did in fact have a small amount of discomfort when I pushed over my bladder. They said they would mail out some paperwork for me to fill out and bring to my appointment.
A couple days later my wife asked me what a gastroenterologist was. I asked her why she wanted to know. She said we got something in the mail, and she thought it may be for my grandfather. I have the same first name as my father and grandfather, so such mistakes have been known to happen. She was appalled when I asked what she had done with the mail, and told her it was for me. She was upset that I hadn't told her about the problem. She was very worried about it. I told my wife that that was exactly why I hadn't told her. She had 3-4 weeks less to worry because I hadn't told her. We still disagree on whether or not this was the correct approach. My wife feels I should have told her. I feel that it would have done no good to tell her sooner.
I filled out the paper work and waited for my doctor's appointment. When the day came, I went alone to my appointment. In the waiting room were magazines like in other doctor's offices I had been to. These magazines all seemed to be for old people though. I looked around the room and realized that, at age 30, I was by far the youngest person in the waiting room.
In the fall of 2005 I began to notice blood in my stool. I wasn't really having any cramping. In fact I didn't really even have diarrhea. I was having 2-3 stools per day, instead of the 1 I would normally have when I didn't have diarrhea. The stools were somewhat yellow (not normal for me) with obvious amounts of blood mixed in. I didn't strain or experience any pain, so I figured whatever it was, it wasn't a hemorrhoid. I did notice that I had the urge to urinate more frequently, and felt like I had to go even immediately after voiding. Urination didn't cause any pain, but other than the blood this was my only symptom. I waited to see if this would go away. After about 3 weeks it was getting worse. Still no pain, but the amount of blood was increasing. I figured I had better see a specialist.
I knew a co-worker had a sister that worked at a hospital, so I asked her what specialist I should go see. Following her recommendation I made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist. When I called to make the appointment they asked about my symptoms. They seemed incredulous that I had no pain. They asked if I had pain when I pushed on my abdomen. I pushed around a bit and noticed that I did in fact have a small amount of discomfort when I pushed over my bladder. They said they would mail out some paperwork for me to fill out and bring to my appointment.
A couple days later my wife asked me what a gastroenterologist was. I asked her why she wanted to know. She said we got something in the mail, and she thought it may be for my grandfather. I have the same first name as my father and grandfather, so such mistakes have been known to happen. She was appalled when I asked what she had done with the mail, and told her it was for me. She was upset that I hadn't told her about the problem. She was very worried about it. I told my wife that that was exactly why I hadn't told her. She had 3-4 weeks less to worry because I hadn't told her. We still disagree on whether or not this was the correct approach. My wife feels I should have told her. I feel that it would have done no good to tell her sooner.
I filled out the paper work and waited for my doctor's appointment. When the day came, I went alone to my appointment. In the waiting room were magazines like in other doctor's offices I had been to. These magazines all seemed to be for old people though. I looked around the room and realized that, at age 30, I was by far the youngest person in the waiting room.
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