Hi,

I am a 28 yr old male and would appreciate any input on the following.

I few months ago I noticed some bright red blood on the toilet paper. I wasn't alarmed at 1st, this has happened to me before and I was diagnosed with hemorrhoids. I didn't notice any again for a while so relaxed. Then I noticed a small amount of yellow/brown mucus on the toilet paper. I started panicking slightly and paying close attention to my stool. I was convinced I had red blood in my stool, it looked like little specs and had the consistency of paste.

I visited my doctor and explained the symptons. He wasn't too worried, he said blood like a paste would likely be much darker. My rectal exam was normal, no hemorrhoids. He asked me to complete a FOBT test. That came back negative, so he said it was more than likely something in my diet. I still wasn't convinced, so I paid to have a vitual colonoscopy. The results of this were also fine, no masses, no evidence of inflammation.

I still cant relax. I still get the occasional small amount of mucus on the toilet paper and sometimes if I look closely, it is on the outside of my stool. Also, for the last month or so, my bowel habits have changed a little. I used to go once per day, missing the odd day. Now, maybe 2 or 3 times a week, I'll go twice a day. Although shape and consitency is largely unchanged. The good news I haven't noticed any blood for over a month.

Do my bowel habit changes sound significant? Or does it sound more likely that the stress I'm putting myself through as the most likely cause here?
Should I rely on the virtual colonoscopy and FOBT and accept nothing serious is wrong?