White and red specks in stool. Help?
Posted , 2 users are following.
To preface this, we have recently moved to our new residence -- so stress may be a factor here. I have a history of high stress and anxiety, as well as potential IBS and diagnosed acid reflux.
The past few days I have been 'backed up' thanks to the stress of moving, and I simply haven't had the time to actually 'go', or if I did, I gave myself a time limit despite awful stomach cramps. (On either side, in the middle, or in my lower back.)
I've always had trouble with constipation, so this wasn't really new--neither was the cramps or as TMI as it is, the awful smell. No doctor ever really was concerned with it. While I've been having fewer movements, today I noticed both white specks (more prominent) as well as what seemed to be one specific area that had a red speck -- I can only assume it was blood, but it was bright. The stools themselves were normal-colored, so I wasn't all that concerned until I noticed the former.
I've gone from IBS, to anxiety, to worms (I fear I contracted them somehow, even though our pets don't seem to have them and I wasn't in an infested area.), to colon cancer ( My grandmother was diagnosed this year after having awful cramps--you can see this train of thought.) in potential causes -- I was hoping someone here had similar symptoms and might be able to ease worries on anything severe. I'm going to be 18 in a few months, and as far as I'm aware my family doesn't have a history with anything bowel related, so I don't know if I have anything genetic or what to look out for...
0 likes, 4 replies
mcncheri
Posted
I've also read that itching is a symptom of worms, and I feel I should note I have none. Aside from the white specks, cramping, and on/off nausea, I haven't noticed any.
pippa58442 mcncheri
Posted
The white specks may be mucus or undigested food particles. This may also be the case with the red specks. Don't worry because it will make your symptoms far worse. It sounds very like IBS especially if stress is involved. Try not to assume anything. See your doctor instead and ask for tests to rule out other causes. Ruling out other conditions should help to relax you. If your doctor is not concerned, this is good news.
Take time to have a bowel movement; don't try to hold it in. Bowel movements are waste products that need to come out. I have stress related IBS and I went through intense health anxiety for three and a half months because no one could diagnose me.
mcncheri pippa58442
Posted
I'll be making an appointment both with a doctor and a psychologist soon, I'm hoping!!
If you don't mind me asking, has stress-related IBS caused any other 'bizarre' symptoms that inadvertently made you stress more due to thinking it was something else? ( For example: a 'weird/off' feeling down there ) I have the worst tendency to overthink/jump to worst case scenario, so...
At times too it seems hard to breathe so I'm just...kind of worried.
pippa58442 mcncheri
Posted
I don't have any strange symptoms at all, only standard IBS symptoms. Diagnosis cleared up my health anxiety more or less over night and it has never come back. Having trouble breathing maybe due to stress. A psychologist may not really help with this and may offer only anti anxiety medication which may not be good for you and could cause side effects. Your best option is to try distraction techniques like a hobby or exercise to take your mind off your symptoms.