Massive bleeding question

Hello, I have a question...but let me explain my past a little:

February: Colonoscopy, Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Started on Sulfasalazine.

July: Start feeling really tired, go to the doctor, Hemoglobin is 9.7 so im mildly anemic

August: Feeling sick and weak and tired. Bleeding ALOT, I'm admitted to the hospital with a hemoglobin of 7.3, I stayed for 3 days and am started on a taper of steroids, starting at 50mg of Prednisone tapered to 10mg of prednisone.

September: I continue bleeding.....and also got a thromboses hemorrhoid that i had to have removed and my GI said my bleeding was probably from the hemorrhoids but my surgeon said that they DO NOT cause that much bleeding........ I was admitted to another hospital (duke) with a blood count of 7.8 which went down to 7.1 after I was admitted. I was there for 6 days and they did a Sygmoidoscopy(spelling?) and started on 6-MP :( Did another 50mg to 10mg taper of prednisone.

Now: Bleeding again...... My GI at duke is saying that the bleeding I'm having now is probably from internal hemorrhoids and I need to see a surgeon to have them removed, but My surgeon clearly told me last time that they DO NOT bleed that much.



I'm bleed quite alot, it turns the toliet water so red that i cant see through it. and thats usually 2 or 3 times in a row.


Does anyone think it could be the hemorrhoids or my UC that is causing the bleeding???


Also, I feel a little hopeless because it seems like nothing is working to make me stop bleeding, does anyone have suggestions???

Also I don't except blood transfusions, so the bleeding is a MASSIVE problem for me!!!

Let me ask a few questions: Have you ever tried rectal meds? If not, I highly recommend you start on them. Preferably steroid enemas because it can combat the inflammation of the hemmie and the rectal/sigmoid inflammation at the same time. Have you tried any other oral meds besides Sulfasalazine? Where in your colon is your Uc?

When I flare, I get severe bleeding. I have been anemic so many times I lost count. But, I had my GI tell me too that hemmies can bleed tremendously as well. He said he has had patients where they required emergency surgery to deal with the severe bleeding that is from hemmies.

Wow, two butt docs and non suggested rectal meds?

Please ask for at least the mesalamine retention enemas (if you're in the US, they would be Rowasa. Salofalk in Canada).

Maybe you could ask for Asacol instead of the sulfasalazine.

Have you had your vitamin B12 and D levels checked?

I hope the meds kick in for you soon...

Welcome to the forum.

quincy

pam222 said...
I had very bad bleeding most of the time. A lot of the time it just seemed like blood that came out. I did not have internal hemmorhoids It was all from the UC

Yep, exactly what she said. 20 times a day in August and it was messy. Welcome to the Thrombosis club, after that flare settled down I too was anemic with a massive 688 platelet count and got a Thrombosis in the Sagittal Sinus which is the main vein to drain the brain - top back of head. I am on blood thinners hoping I dont start another flare. Cortisone enema's were a little helpful. SLOWING my GI tract put an end to the insanity after 4 weeks of bleeding by switching to sulfasalazine and getting LIBRAX, I also now have Mebeverine and take at least one immodium per day.

Also I noticed that the Vicodin for the headaches had a GI calming effect. In your state its so upset you need to throw as many calming agents at it as you possibly can to get it to calm down.