For the last couple weeks I've been having some trouble during bowel movements. Almost nothing comes out if anything and when it does its always from a long period of grunting it out. I've noticed amounts of blood in the stool when it does come out. I've also had some pains in my lower stomach area right around my belly button that sometimes wake me up at night and a pain in my lower back on the right side. My stomach is also making a lot of strange gurgling sounds. I've taken laxatives twice since it started which were the only two successful bowel movements I have had so far. I was thinking about going to the emergency room but wanted to ask here for some advice before doing so. Any advise helps and thank you in advance.