Bleeding after routine colonscopy - help!!

Had a routine colonscopy a little over a month ago, results simply showed mild inflammation due to my UC. I was symptom free before the procedure. Immediately after the procedure I noticed less frequent, and more solid bowel movements. Eventually led to straining and periodically I have blood (bright red) and mucus on the toilet paper when I wipe. My initial assumption was a hemorrhoid issue but I’ve tried preparation H ointment and stool softeners and my doctor did a physical exam and did not note anything unusual (did say I could have internal hemorrhoids that aren’t visible without another scope). I was given rectal enema (mesalamine) and for one week everything seemed great. Second week the straining and bright red blood has returned. I was told to take the enemas nightly for 3 weeks.

At my wits end and not sure what else to do. If I take miralax my bowel movements are more frequesnt and softer and I don’t seem to have the blood but I don’t really want to take this all the time.

Anyone else ever have an issue like this post colonscopy? Sound like a flare or hemorrhoid? I really haven’t had any other symptoms....

I’ve done the mesalamine enemas before back when I was having a minor flare. It took a few months but eventually it cleared up. I also take balsalazide disodium and have for years. I’m just a bit puzzled because immediately after taking the enemas starting a week ago everything was fine for a week and then the blood returned Friday night after I had a bowel movement when I was straining. I also had stopped the miralax a day or two before.

I’ve been doing the enemas for 9 days now. The part that caused me to be concerned was everything was clear the first 7 days. The last two the blood has returned (intermittently). I’ll have like 2 normal bowel movements and 2 with blood (usually the first and last of the day have blood). The stool is actually quite normal, a bit firmer than usual, and there really isn’t blood in the stool - sometimes a little bit just on the edge and again, when I wipe it’s bloody (clears up after two wipes).

I’m not having any cramping, and I’m not going more than normal - 3 or 4 times a day (which has been my normal for as long as I can remember).

I am going to keep on the course....

Main frustration is I was having no problems or symptoms before the colonoscopy, which I just had because my last one had been three years ago.

Appreciate your thoughts!!

Archie.....it takes a long while for rectal inflammation to get under control....remember, it has a lot to contend with dealing with more formed stool while its trying to heal.

Why were you on miralax? What were your symptoms at this time?

q

Just to let you know that those are symptoms of limited in the rectum inflammation. Rectal meds will be of help.
Stool softeners are good, and the suggestion of adding fibre supplements with meals will work better,

Flaring....many don't realise until symptoms become more obvious. Rectal meds....to deal with the inflammation.

q

There were no sign of hemorrhoids on the colonoscopy...

I guess I’m just confused on if I should do the miralax or not. It seems to help but I just don’t know how I feel about taking a laxative long term. Seems like it could create other issues.

My mom has been on mirilax nightly for 5 years and my friends toddler took it for a year. I don’t believe there is any long term ramifications with stool softeners.

Metamucil capsule...one with o e meal for 2 days, add another to another meal...etc.

Rectal inflammation is most likely the issue.....this is usually the toughest phase.

Continue using the colace as well.....and you're doing the enemas...you can add a suppository during the day.

Patience.....sigh....also the most difficult.

q

Yes they took several biopsies, all were “normal”.... I have experienced slight bleeding in the past but it usually cleared up within a couple days.

It's normal to have an upset system and abnormal bms for 3-4 days after a colonoscopy as the prep and procedure are hard on us. Anything beyond that timeframe, and there is something else going on. You could have hemorrhoids, your UC could have flared, etc. A colonoscopy is a snapshot in time, and things can change afterwards (a flare can happen 1 or 2 months after a good scope).

If you are worried about your symptoms then reach out to your gasteroenteroligist have a stool test done for possible pathogenic causes to your worsened symptoms. He/she may want to run a CRP blood test, or a FCP stool test to measure your current inflammation levels. A quick check can be made for hemorrhoids, a general practitioner (a family doctor) can put on a white glove and check for them, as they are within inches of the sphincter and painful when touched.

"metamucil capsules is a good start."

Metamucil = yes

Miralax = better off putting it in your car

another option would be real fruits and vegetables -

Has anyone experimented with or had any success with tumeric? Was just reading about how it apparently has anti inflammatory benefits. Willing to try anything at this point...

Last time I had a flare at this end I also took Omega 3, I think that might have helped some as well.

Well, got back in to see my doctor Monday morning. Keeping me on the mesalamine enamas, and also put me on budesonide for three weeks. First day everything was fine, today, problems again. From what I’ve read, this seems to take awhile as opposed to prednisone to take effect. Anyone have any experience with this drug?