Narrow stools and bleeding

Hi, I've so far been posting in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia forums. I have a long list of symptoms and no diagnosis yet. I've been having bowel problems, but have tended to place them further down on the priority list. However, I have now become quite concerned.

I feel a little bit uncomfortable posting about bowel habits on the internet, but it is an IBS forum after all.

Growing up, I had alternate constipation and diarrhoea quite a lot, but just thought that was normal as I didn't really know any better. Last October I was in hospital and became very constipated from strong pain killers. I took various things to overcome that hurdle, and things seemed back to normal. However, since then my stools have been almost always very narrow. I tend to be more consistently regular than in the past, but feel concerned about the small narrow stools, and having just diarrhoea now. I tried not to worry too much, except I have now started bleeding when going to the toilet too. I have had haemorroids in the past, so maybe it's just that.

But in my mind: Persistently narrow stools + rectal bleeding = bowel tumour! Am I right or wrong about that?

Do people with IBS have similar symptoms, or should I be really concerned? I'm only 24, and I am aware that bowel cancer is rare at my age. However, it is not unheard of for people in their 20s to get bowel cancer.

Thanks for your help, it's greatly appreciated!

Hi Annya,
Welcome to the forum!
It seems as though roadtrip covered everything.
Always talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any changes that bother you. (Like you said, it may just be a hemmie given you have had them in the past.)
Take care.

I think with any bleeding you should see a gastro Dr. he may only do a smear or maybe just a sigmoid since you are so young. That would how hemroids. If you have been straining at all that would cause hemroids to bleed but you shuld check it out as worrying will only make intestinal problems worse.