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How much is too much?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/31/2009 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
How much blood is too much blood? If I'm losing so much, should I be going to the hospital? If I feel shaky and nauseous? I asked a nurse one time, and they said if I had a fever to go in.. but what if I'm jsut losing too much blood in general?
Posted 10/31/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
How many times a day are you going and are you having diarrhea or more of a formed stool?

Are you on any meds at this time?

When did you see your GI last?

q
Posted 10/31/2009 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
If you are losing too much blood you run the risk of becoming anemic...if you have any question about too much blood loss then error on the side of caution and go in...better to be safe that sorry. What medication are you on?
Posted 10/31/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
If you're in the US, please don't go to the emergency room, where you will wait hours to be seen by a doctor who doesn't know you or your history and isn't a GI specialist.

This is an ongoing problem, not an emergency. If you think you're losing too much blood, call your doctor, who can see you and check for anemia and other urgent problems and weigh them in relation to what he or she knows about you and your condition.
Posted 10/31/2009 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what the magic number is. I personally had 15-20 bouts of bloody diarrhea for 10 months while I was pregnant. I was tested often by my OB for anemia and I never became anemic.
Posted 10/31/2009 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
i'm on prednisone and asacol

I am checked regularly for anemia and i have been fine so far. I am on vacation in NYC and just worried that I am going to lose too much blood! I don't want to go to the emergency room, but if I need to have an IV or something then wouldnt it be better?

I can never seem to get into my GI specialist because he is so full all the time, plus the problem of me being out of town. ughhhhhhh so much for vacation! lol
Posted 10/31/2009 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I am having a flare and I am also a "bleeder" so I definitely understand!

During my first bout of UC (back in 2005), I got an infection, was put on blood-thinners and ended up bleeding massively. I became extremely anemic and had to get a bunch of transfusions in the hospital.

This experience taught me that your body can lose a good deal of blood and still be OK. Think about blood donations--you can give up a pint of pure blood and it's no problem. It is good to be vigilant and it is critical to be in communication with your GI.

I think you will know it if you need to go to the hospital in NYC. You will likely be just fine until you can talk to your doctor again. It's hard, but try not to worry about it too much and drink lots of fluids.

Good luck and stay calm!
Posted 10/31/2009 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'd personally stay out of the ER right now b/c of all the H1N1 going around...no way I want to get that!
Posted 10/31/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Remember also that a few drops of blood can mix with the water in the toilet and look like a bowl full of blood. We're almost always losing less blood than it looks like.
Posted 10/31/2009 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey don't just got by the blood you see... i barely saw any blood during this flair up I'm in now and I needed 2 full units of blood..... Umm I'd say if you're getting real shaky and dizzy when you stand up.. go ahead and call your GI. He can schedule a transfusion at a hospital (DO NOT GO TO ER) just gonna wait 4 hours and risk getting sick...

I'd say if you think your low and your shaky and dizzy, call your doc he'll get you blood tests and check your levels and then he'll know for sure and get you a transfusion if you need it, No big deal actually kind of relaxing haha you sit in a big comfortable chair for a few hours, watch tv, read, or just sleep
Posted 11/1/2009 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
If you're anemic from blood loss, it's too much. Basically if you're cold, dizzy, or extremely fatigued you MAY be anemic. A quick check my GI uses is to examine the color of the lining of your lower eyelid. It should be pink and healthy. If it's not, you may need some supplements or in extreme cases, a transfusion.

Also from personal experience the ER does nothing. I went in before diagnosis and the triage nurse essentially harassed me for being there for 'just a stomachache' and proceeded to tell me it was my period, that so many people have it so much worse, asked me why i wanted a diagnosis, and in short told me i had munchausen's syndrome. The doc diagnosed me with gastroenteritis and gave me acid blockers.
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