Question:
my bottom hurts without movements and now I find small amounts of blood. Is this rare

I have an appointment set up with my pcp, But I am a little concern because I have the urge to go to the bathroom and can't and now when I am doing my personal hygeine, I am finding blood. Not a massive amount, But it is something new to me. I also have a very sore rear end. I know this is gross to some, But I don't have the nerve to not ask . Thank you Ruth    — Ruth K. (posted on September 4, 2000)

September 4, 2000
Ruth, if the blood you see is bright red or red in color, there is a good chance that it may be only from hemorrhoids or some other "simple" condition. Pressure and an urge to evacuate are also symptoms of hemorrhoids, too. More serious rectal bleeding is when the stools are dark or almost black and tar-like. At any rate, don't be embarrassed to ask any questions here. Chances are that someone else may have the same question and you have helped them out. Of course, whenever there is a concern about any medical condition, the best person to talk to is your doctor. Try not to worry and just give the doctor a call.
   — Fran B.

September 4, 2000
I had the sore bottom problem and the only answer we came up with is to never never use anything but white unscented toilet paper. It helps.
   — Lorraine T.

September 4, 2000
Ruth...I have had hemorrhoids for years and I have the same symptoms. Just to be on the safe side, check with your Dr., but sounds like hemorrhoids to me.
   — [Anonymous]

September 5, 2000
Ruth, thank you for asking the question. These are "real" issues we have to deal with and the answers help everyone. For the first month occasionally I would have difficulty passing stool after having the urge to do so. I used colace or milk of magnesia when I first started noticing it to get back to "regular". During these episodes, when I did pass stool, there would be occasional bleeding - I think from the pressure of passing it. It's important to go when you have the urge and not hold it in. Because in this case the stool loses water and becomes hard - making it harder to pass and therefore causes bleeding. As for a sore bottom. I also experienced this during the first 2 months. I can't quote the exact reason why but I read other postings about it, and it was something about beginning to lose all the extra cushioning we have on our backsides!! So, I decided that even though it could be very painful when getting up and down from chairs, that it was a sign of weight loss for which I should be very happy! I even took a cushion with me occasionally when I knew I would be sitting on a very hard chair. Hang in there - this will all go away soon!!! May 10 open RNY - at least 65 pounds gone forever!
   — Paula G.