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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/26/2010 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I'm really stressed out right now and i hope i can get a satisfying answer about this.

So i started taking iron supplements a week and half ago because i was slightly anemic and a few days ago i noticed very lil spotting and then on thursday i actually started bleeding. It wasn't like a full period, which i had only 10 days before. More like when it's the 3rd or 4th day.

I have been googling about it and didn't find anything that says iron supplements causes this. I really don't know what to think. I saw a lot of results that said it might to be related to some type of cancer.

I can't call my nurse before Monday but if anyone else had some advice or anything it would really help me. Also, i'm taking pentasa and no cramps or anything else going on.

Thanks a lot!

Posted 6/26/2010 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Reading the internet is just going to scare you, so I would avoid googling. They have to tell all possibilities. I think if anything, the iron and illness can cause menstrual changes. Sometimes it can even stop it all together. So I wouldn't stress too much about it, I really just think its the effects of your health. Hugs!
Posted 6/26/2010 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the reassurance :)
Posted 6/26/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
It's highly unlikely that the bleeding is related to cancer. I went through times of irregular bleeding and spotting rather frequently when I was in my 20's and 30's. My docs always reassured me that while abnormal bleeding can indicate cancer, that is rarely the reason why. And, for me, it never was.

Almost anything can disrupt a woman's hormones; emotions, exercise, medications, sleep.

Relax, enjoy your weekend, and call your nurse on Monday just for your own peace of mind.
Posted 6/26/2010 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
When you next see your doctor, they might decide to do an internal examination just to make sure you have no abscess or fistula forming. I just mention this so you can be forewarned.

Really, though, I think it's most likely to be simple irregularity. Mention it to your doctor, but please don't worry about it yet.

Ivy.
Posted 6/27/2010 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I feel so much better hearing all this. I was seriously panicking and didn't know what to think. I never had such a problem and have always been regular that's why. I will call my nurse on Monday just to see what she has to say.

Thanks a lot!!

 

Posted 6/27/2010 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
It is called abnormal bleeding because it is not meant to be so you should tell your doctor about it. That said, there are many things that can cause irregular bleeding, and cancer is not at all the most likely. I just went through this and found out that I have uterine polyps which can be removed and are not a big problem. Keep taking the iron until you know what is up, because my GI just told me that if you need surgery for anything having your iron at a good level is very helpful. Take care, and don't worry about it being too serious as it is very likely to be something very easy to deal with.
Posted 6/27/2010 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
ahem, yes I saw the title, but I have some thoughts based on dealing with the women in my life.

The iron supplements I have seen them take, my stepdaughter in particular, caused lots of stomach distress.  Mostly upset stomach and unable to keep the iron pills down.  They were being taken due to being anemic due to abnormal periods.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here could be the cause of your anemia and your irregular bleeding.  Fibroid tumors in your uterus could be much more likely.  They are NOT cancer, and they are fairly common.  If your other docs strike out, check with your OB and think about an internal ultrasound.

Like everyone else said, NO PANICKING until you get some answers.

Hope the male perspective helps.

Posted 6/28/2010 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
I just talked to my nurse. She said it's mid-cycle ovulation and there's bleeding for a few days. It's something normal. And i should still get my period on time as i usually do. And it's most probably not related to Crohn's or iron supplements.

However, if it happens again then i might need to go consult a gyno.

Posted 6/29/2010 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
mdf, I had trouble taking iron supplements until I found Fe Gluconate. It causes me no problems. Might work for them.
Posted 6/30/2010 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for that info.

Miss 82, please do keep the OB idea in mind.

Posted 6/30/2010 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah... Gotta be careful about googling... It can cause some pretty bad anxiety... Trust me. I know.
Posted 6/30/2010 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I heartily agree with no googling and no webmd! i had a scare with my kidneys due to protein in my urine and weird sounds near my renal artery. Two urinalysis and a kidney ultrasound later my kidneys are fine. I totally freaked when I was told to have the tests done and the intrnet had me convinced my kidneys were failing. Bottom line have anything that concerns you checked out but don't stress yourself out by jumping to the worst case scenaio
Posted 7/2/2010 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I seem to have upset in that general area whenever I start new medications/herbal supplements/vitamins and Iron. My doctor said that it's not really that surprising, and that it probably is somewhat related to how active my crohns is. Sometimes, if I have a really aggressive bout of D, I will spot for a few days... It's just bc my disease has been agressive in that general area.. If you still feel freaked out, consider going to an OB or talking to your GI. I talked to my OB about it, and they put me on BC because she has a few other Crohn's girls that have similar issues. It works....when I take it correctly (but I am horrendously bad about it... I can remember just about anything else, but BC... not so much :) )
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