Personal question, potentially TMI

[kelownagirl]

Anyone get blood in their stool after a long run? I've read a bit online and it sounds fairly common among long distance runners. It has begun to happen to me after my last two long runs of 8km or more. Very annoying but not particularly worrisome. Has never happened any other time and I'm healthy in all other ways. Hesitate to go to the doctor because I'll end up a battery of unpleasant tests which will likely not yield anything helpful.

[KSH]

I had a real problem with this after my longer runs last year. I went to the Dr. who sent me to get a colonoscopy. Everything checked out fine. Nothing was wrong with me.

If insurance can cover it, I say go get it done for piece of mind.

I took an article to the Dr. (the one who did the colonoscopy) about endurance athletes having this issue, and he shrugged it off. Wouldn't even consider the idea. Personally I think he hasn't ever seen an endurance athlete and doesn't understand how the body of an ahlete functions.

Obviously better safe than sorry... so getting the tests run will let you know nothing is wrong.

[michelem]

I posted about this last year: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17384

Especially read post #33.

Hope this helps. No fun, huh?

[kelownagirl]

Thanks to the both of you for your feedback. Michelem - I had forgotten about that thread last year so went back to check it again. Lots of good advice/info.

I had a colonoscopy about 3-4 years ago and everything was fine. If I had other symptoms, or blood any other time than my two long runs, I'd be more concerned about getting medical treatment. I am trying to figure out what to eat / not eat in the morning before I run to see if that helps. Right now I eat plain yogurt with a piece of fruit and 1/4 cup of oatmeal stirred in. If my tummy is queasy in the mornings before a race or something, I sometimes only have shot blox and a banana for breakfast. Maybe I'll try that next long run.

[spokewench]

Kelownagirl - I have never had any experience with Blood like that after a run, but I'm a biker and not runner and have never run long distances

I will caution you, however, since my brother in law just passed away on July 8th from colon cancer that was caught in stage 4 about a year ago; and I have another brother in law who was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer who is still fighting! This is nothing to get lackadaisical about. If colon cancer is caught early, the chances are good you will survive; if it is not, it is really deadly!

Please be cautious

spoke

[Tuckervill]

I say get the colonoscopy, too. A lot can change in 4 years. SW said it best.

Karen