Lupus Support Group

I can feel a balloon like "thing" when I wipe my bum. It moves around kind of like a balloon or a big blister. Is this a hemmhoroid? (Lucky for me I have a colonoscopy on Friday so if it is an issue, I'm sure I will find out soon).

06/19/12

Dear, 'MarthaM',

A colonoscopy will help rule out hemorrhoids, or other, intestinal growths. And if you are experiencing rectal bleeding that is bright red when you void, it could be a hemorrhoid(s). The test will also help to rule out anal fissures, growths, or tumors, benign or cancerous.

You do not mention what you age is, but everyone should--at a certain time of life have colonoscopies every two years, or three years.

You did not mention accompanying bleeding, or pain, or itching.

It might well be a cyst, which is like a sac of cheesy, odiferous, fatty-like tissue, which will just cntinue to grow until it is surgically removed.

A cyst will feel like some mass is under the skin, but can be moved about a short distace with the fingers ( clean ). If it is a protruding, harder growth, it may be evidence of a fatty 'nevas', another type of easily surgically removed growth.

Alot depends uppon:

1) Presence, or absence of pain to the toucgh, or when you sit down where the spot is;

2) Its size.

3) Its painfulness, which ould be an infected insect bite, poisonous, like a spider, in which the sac of infection and pus, and glea (normal body fluid), will, without treatment, become extremely painful, become larger and higher, an resemble something like a purple cabbage with separate reddish/purple 'leaves'; this is dangerous, as it represents the the surface skin becoming necrotic ( dying ), while the infective process spreads throughout the rest of your body. This last requires antibiotcs, and smetimes surgical lancing, the same with harmless cysts.

Now, please know I am no professional, nor am licensed, this is just my experience, and my opinion.

Even a ingrown hair can become infected, and cause a cyst.

Meanwhile, if I've scared you, or other readers, that was not my intention; however, many times such 'places' arise where they are not readily visible. Let the colonoscopist decide, and, your Primary. You may be referred to a Dermatologist.

When it comes to our safety and our health, 'MarthaM', please always know that there is NO such thing as 'TMI'.

So....don't be afraid...just concerned.

And, if you feel comfortable doing so, please do not hesitate to 'PM' me with tomorrow's results, and how your are faring.

Best of wishes !

Martha....It sure sounds like a hemorrhoid......let us know what the results of your colonoscopy is, I just had one last year along with an endoscopy....good to have these tests done.

Eva

Thank you both for your comments. I am turning 50 this year. I have had about 7 colonoscopies in the last 10 years. I have colitus - that was discovered during one colonoscopy. During the first one, they discovered two polyps but they were benign.

As for accompanying issues, I always have colon pain, especially when I have to go to the bathroom. The little balloon thing isn't there anymore, but I felt some liquid down there. Could it have popped? I have put preparation H on it. I am itchy in the anus and I sometimes have red bleeding but not very often and I didn't with this.

Thanks so much for your responses. I start the fast tomorrow. It used to be one day plus the morning of the test. Now they are saying you must fast for 2 days. Oh well. I stocked up on drinks. Thanks again.

Dear 'MarthaM',

Please understand that ANY bleeding coming from the body, orfrom its orafices that do not normally bleed is a cause for concern. Not terror, but concern. For example, rectal bleeding that is bright red, is less serious than dark blood, as it indicated a source of bleeding higher up in the digestive/inyestinal system. when I last had my colonoscopy done, recommended for males over fifty to be done at least every other year, as colo-rectal cancer--is a major killer among older men.mostly because it goes unnoticed until it is too late to treat. Women should have them regularly as well, and being near fifty, you should have a yearly mammogram & pap smear done, as well as brest self-exam for lumps.

And yes, cysts fairly often 'pop' on their own, owing to external pressure of the skin stretching as the cyst grows larger. Sometime, they have a distictive 'head' on them like as would a giant it, but you want to be especially carefull in trying to make the cyst erupt, as sometimes, putting pressure down upon it can make it 'expode' inside the body, there, subject to infections which can be serious.

These large, fatty cysts are mostly benign, but, when removed by a Dermatologist, are still mostly biopsied, and sent in to rule out any malignancy.

At nearly '50','MarthaM', you are probably into, or going into menopause; and with this,you can expect all kinds of symtomatology going on, for, after all, your body is going through some major, hormonal changes.

I sincerely hope, 'MarthaM', that our responses may have proven to be of some help to you.

I am nevertheless keeping a small prayer for you, and your test results on Friday. Please always know that my colleagues are always here for support, encouragemnt, or...just to listen.

If you so choose, please keep me informed of your progress.

Please do take care 'MarthaM'.

all regards,

'Zahc'

Martha......In 2007 when my mother-in-law passed away I was so stressed trying to take care of everything and I noticed that when I went to the bathroom I was bleeding really bad and even had to wear kotx....I also noticed I had a large balloon like thing and I realized it was a hemorrhoid.....I took warm baths and put some hemorrhoid cream on it and it finally went away.....I have also had colon polyps that were benign and so has my mother, we do have colon in our family as my aunt had it so were just extra careful to get a colonoscopy every year. Yours to me sounds like hemorrhoids. Please let us know the outcome of your colonoscopy.

Eva