Personal question, potentially TMI

**kelownagirl** · 07-21-2008, 12:07 PM

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** · 07-21-2008, 12:34 PM

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** · 07-21-2008, 01:06 PM

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** · 07-21-2008, 03:41 PM

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** · 07-21-2008, 03:47 PM

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** · 07-21-2008, 05:51 PM

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

Karen

**KnottedYet** · 07-21-2008, 07:00 PM

My dad died of colon cancer that had metastasized through-out his body before it was found. He figured blood in his stool was just one of those things that happened after working hard in the garden or working hard putting up remodelled bits of the house.

Not.

Get thee to a doctor, go!

(BTW, he was 47 when the cancer was finally found, and 49 when he died)

**OakLeaf** · 07-21-2008, 07:24 PM

Definitely get it checked out.

But I will add my experience (and more TMI

). I have internal hemorrhoids that are often exacerbated by running. They don't bleed, but I think hemorrhoids can bleed, right? I don't know what it is about running and not other exertion that makes them flare up, but there it is

**kelownagirl** · 07-21-2008, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Definitely get it checked out.

But I will add my experience (and more TMI

). I have internal hemorrhoids that are often exacerbated by running. They don't bleed, but I think hemorrhoids can bleed, right? I don't know what it is about running and not other exertion that makes them flare up, but there it is

I read that too and wondered. Apparently there are very few symptoms for internal hemorrhoids.

As for the doctor thing - I will go to the doctor and talk to her. But I'm happy to say I have no other risk factors or symptoms of colorectal cancer. No one in the family has had it, or polyps, I don't smoke, I exercise a lot, I eat well, I drink moderately, no sudden weight loss, no weird changes in my bowel habits other than the two times I ran 8-9km. And I had a clean bill of health from a test a few years ago and even tho I know things can change, I didn't have any polyps then.

**Tuckervill** · 07-22-2008, 06:30 AM

There's no rush to a colonoscopy, I guess...the doctor can give you an at-home test to test for blood in the stool after you haven't had a good long run.

My grandmother died of colon cancer. My FIL is a survivor of it. They were both smokers, so I discount that experience in mine and my husband's personal history. My doctor said not to get a colonoscopy until I'm 50, but dh has digestive issues (GERD) and he had his first scope at 35.

Karen

**kelownagirl** · 07-22-2008, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by Tuckervill

There's no rush to a colonoscopy, I guess...the doctor can give you an at-home test to test for blood in the stool after you haven't had a good long run.

My grandmother died of colon cancer. My FIL is a survivor of it. They were both smokers, so I discount that experience in mine and my husband's personal history. My doctor said not to get a colonoscopy until I'm 50, but dh has digestive issues (GERD) and he had his first scope at 35.

Karen

Well this morning I was just remembering that in the past 6 months I've had a couple bouts of heavy periods that my doctor chalked up to age-related body changes. She did tell me to come back in again if I had any new symptoms. I'll call her today.

I have an appt for Thursday pm.

**KSH** · 07-23-2008, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Tuckervill

There's no rush to a colonoscopy, I guess...the doctor can give you an at-home test to test for blood in the stool after you haven't had a good long run.

My grandmother died of colon cancer. My FIL is a survivor of it. They were both smokers, so I discount that experience in mine and my husband's personal history. My doctor said not to get a colonoscopy until I'm 50, but dh has digestive issues (GERD) and he had his first scope at 35.

Karen

OH YEA! My Dr. sent me home with that. Uuuhhhh.... trying to get poop in the very tiny tube they gave me... even WITH gloves on was wrong on so many levels. Then I had to mail my poo to the lab. I didn't do it. I know, I should have. But dang it was so gross the first time, I couldn't do it 3 more times.

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother.

**kelownagirl** · 07-24-2008, 04:50 PM

Well thanks to y'all, I get the joy of a sigmoidoscopy.

I don't know when yet but it'll definitely be after my tri thank goodness.

**jesvetmed** · 07-24-2008, 10:36 PM

KG... that's the right choice. Easy to say it's nothing, but just go and be sure. It's likely nothing at all and just run related. Let us know when you find out that all is ok.

**Tuckervill** · 07-25-2008, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by KSH

OH YEA! My Dr. sent me home with that. Uuuhhhh.... trying to get poop in the very tiny tube they gave me... even WITH gloves on was wrong on so many levels. Then I had to mail my poo to the lab. I didn't do it. I know, I should have. But dang it was so gross the first time, I couldn't do it 3 more times.

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother.

Seriously? Poop in a tube?

DH always gets the heme-occult cards--just smear a little on and it gives almost instant feedback. That's what my GYN does, too, right there while I'm on the table.

Next time ask for those.

Karen

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