Having a diarrhea like stools mixed with blood and mucus, or stools that appear only as a rectal bleeding, accompanied with abdominal cramping, are main symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
This condition isn't curable and its symptoms can disappear and then flare up again from time to time.
Abdominal bloating is a sign of a weak digestive system that cannot cope with foods that irritate or inflame digestion causing distension and discomfort.
It can be a symptom of UC, too.

Ask your gastroenterologist for regular colonoscopy exams, cause patients with this condition are at greater risk for colon cancer.

Best wishes!
Marija

I have read in a few places that mucus can be a tell tale sign that you have a bacterial infection in your bowels.
Of course, it would be nice if this was the first thing Doctor's tested for.
I have the same syptoms you do, and have had them since around the time I had a bad flu that sent me flying to the bathroom every two minutes with bad diahrea. My family doctor seemed uninterested in helping me, so I demanded a referal to a GI specialist. The GI had only one office visit with me (to my surprise only took about 15 minutes) and ordered a colonoscopy. From there, he has diagnosed me with ulcerative proctitis. When I asked Why and How, he replied, It just happens sometimes. A very professional answer, I must say.
I am fed up, and I think I may see a different/new family doctor to see if he could just order a stool sample to test for bacteria. (Which, by the way seems to be the simplest and cheapest test out there. Really....)

hi i read ur post earlier on ur diet pills and then noticing blood and mucus in ur stools.. Im a 22 year old female and ive been on a diet pill too, im not sure how it works but i know it suppresses the appetite somehow. Ive been on it for a little over a week and it really is working, i get very very thirsty but can only eat one small meal a day.
My bowel movements are about ever 2-3 days but today i went to the toilet and realised the stool was extremely red, like chilli red. And before that there was bloody mucus, ive never had this before and im so worried.
I wont take the diet pill tmorrow mmorning and will go see a doctor, i hope theres nothing wrong with me.

I don't know if there is something in them (diet drugs) or not. I knew it was stupid of me to take them to begin with, I just needed a little help losing that last 5-10 lbs. of baby weight. I guess it just goes to show: Don't ever take a drug that hasn't been approved by the FDA. Heck, even some of the approved drugs have some major issues.

Update: I talked to my GI's secretary today. I asked her if the biopsy he took would test for parasitic or bacterial infections, and if not if he could order me a fecal test. She said I have to wait until the biopsy comes back (7-10 days) to know what was tested. Seems to me it would be in the notes as to what they are looking for, but what ever. I think she just didn't want to take the time to go check.

Well, I talked to my GI dr today.

He said the biopsy he took confirms ulcerative colitis. Although, I am still confused as to why he hasn't (and still won't) order a fecal test. I know I'm not a doctor, but I am still finding several reputable sites that suggest that U.C. can be triggered by over growth of bacteria, or a virus or parasites. For this, you would absolutely need an antibiotic as well as the anti-inflammatory drugs to go into remission.
ANYONE out there have anything to say or any suggestions??
BTW: Check out how it's diagnosed and more info:

www.ccfa.org/info/about/ucp

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/p ubs/colitis/#diagnose

www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colit is/DS00598