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Confused about diagnosis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/11/2017 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all I've posted a few times before but I'm still confused.
I started sufferering with a small amount of rectal bleeding with bm and mucus without stools in july last year, My gp treated me for piles but I kept going back when it wasn't getting any better and the GP agreed to blood tests and a stool test . My bloods were fine but my stool test showed high calprotectin levels so I was referred to a consultant.
I saw the consultant in October who also thought I was piles but referred me for a sigmoidoscopy which I had in November . This showed some inflamation in the rectum and 7 biopsies were taken . I was given a prescription for asacol suppositories and sent on my way to wait for the results of the biopsies which I received 2 weeks later that showed no inflamation.
After reading up on proctitis I even took myself to a sexual health clinic to get myself checked for STI's to rule anything out despite being with my husband for 20 years .
Yesterday I finally went for my follow up appointment with the consultant who asked how my symptoms were I explained they were pretty much the same with intermittent bleeding with bm and he suggested I stop the suppositories for a week to see how I get on and said if my symptoms get worse to start them again after the week.
I'm more confused now than I was before my follow up .
Posted 4/11/2017 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Perhaps time to get a full colonoscopy as you may have inflammation/bleeding higher up than sig-scope could see. Sounds like the docs did the right RX given your symptoms but since the RX has not helped you need more investigation for blood source. Don't let this go, colon cancer needs to be ruled out as a priority and more biopsies taken to see what else it could be.
Posted 4/11/2017 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Would the bleeding still be bright red if it was coming from higher up ? I've read so many things online that say bright red blood is from lower down but honestly don't know what to believe now .
Re colon cancer would it still be a possibility to have it with so little symptoms ? My consultant pretty much ruled it out 😕 I'm still a newbie to all this so unsure on what's right and what's not .
Posted 4/11/2017 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
if the blood is from a little higher and it move out fast enough it would often still be bright red. maybe not bright bright.

if there is no inflammation, either the suppositories are controlling the inflammation as far as the sigmoid scope saw, or there is no UP and you had an acute episode on 1st scoping.

since the suppositories are an anti-inflammatory it can make sense to take them if they are controlling the inflammation. But if there is no UP to control, the suppositories might even be causing some bleeding. If you were reacting to an inert ingredient for instance.

stopping for a week to see if symptoms get worse (they were controlling) or get better (the were reacting) seems reasonable.

I hope you get a diagnosis soon.
Posted 4/11/2017 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply . This blood is bright red ( the same as you would get if you cut your finger) and is literally a streak on the t p on the first wipe . Someone did mention sigmoidoscopes can miss piles if they are small so wondering if this is a possibility as the blood is normally after a day of no BM'S or if it's a little forced .
Posted 4/11/2017 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
that sounds exactly like a hemorrhoid. it is the mucus that is more of a puzzle.

the week-off trial sounds reasonable. if the symptoms do not get worse, you may not need suppositories. if the symptoms do get worse - especially urgency, then jump back on the suppositories.
Posted 4/11/2017 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply . So far so good I ll see how I go
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