blood, help!

Hi guys,

I've been in remission for the better part of 7 years, and having blood on the TP after wiping periodically and mucous on my stool periodically for the last few years of that time. The last 2 weeks I've had a fair bit of mucous on my stool, and I've also had some blood ON my stool (3 times in the last 2 weeks). Having blood on the TP seems to be fairly normal for me, and I've been told by my GI that it's probably just hemorrhoids and that it's nothing to worry about. Being that this is the first time blood has actually been on my stool (solid stool) I'm terrified. I've been told by my Dr. (I called his office) that rectal bleeding from hemorrhoids can be both on TP and covering the stool, but I feel like they're not taking me seriously. They think it's still nothing, and I'm not convinced.

Have any of you guys had experience with blood being on your stool (solid stool), and continuing remission (as in the blood was just from hemorrhoids/whatever)? Or is this a definite sign for you guys that you are about to flare (D, and the whole 9)? I'm very tempted to politely demand an appointment, rectal exam, and C-reative protein (blood serum inflammation test). I'm just terrified...

I've done a little dissecting (gross, right!) and the blood seems mucousy in consistence, if that means anything to any of you. It's also definitely blood and not anything red/flaky. My last colonoscopy was half a year ago and was completely healthy, but that probably doesn't mean all that much 6 months out.

Yeah....figures. I've had a couple of those symptoms. (gassy, thin stool once). The only hope I'm clinging to is that my flares have usually followed the progression of constipation ---> diharrhea for a couple weeks with no blood ---> Diharrhea with blood after that. I've never had a flare start with blood + solid stool, but I know that doesn't mean much.

You're right though. I should be more aggressive in getting an appointment/tests. I want to start the enemas every day like that, but I'm worried that it will just help to the point where they'll cloak active inflammation from rectal exam/blood tests and get me a false negative. I've been upping them to 2/3 times weekly though for the last few weeks. It was prescribed as 1/week normally.

Your butt determines a taper plan. I can explain it later.

The bleeding wasn't first....symptoms for some are very mild and not recognised. Since you have diarrhea, it is probably mild inflammation in the sigmoid, but worse in the lower rectum. Symptoms can yo-yo a bit, and food intake can change consistency of stool.

You arent on rectal meds.....consider UC flares start there and move upward. They heal downward....

Get on the rectals if you have them....

The meds wont change inflammation regarding testing....but remember that blood tests nor calprotectin are 100%. A visual check in office will be confirmation.
I've only asked a few times regarding that, but none of my blood tests match rectal inflammation.

Are you having rectal discomfort during bms?

q

Sam1996 said...
I'm very tempted to politely demand an appointment, rectal exam, and C-reative protein (blood serum inflammation test).

It could be nothing, or it could be something. To that end, I'd strongly recommend you get some tests done. I'd start with a fecal calprotectin stool test, as it is more accurate and limited to just the intestine (as opposed to a CRP blood test which is bodywide). See where that lands you, and if it comes back with any inflammation.

My experience with CRP and FCP is they aren't all that good at getting very limited and mild inflammation. Very good at moderate to severe though!

Not sure when your last endoscopy was, if it's been a while then asking for at least a flexible-sigmoidoscopy makes some sense. This is of course the most accurate means of testing, endoscopy, but both a figurative and literal pain in the ass!

I was confirmed to be in a remission after a flex-sig, I still have random bouts of blood (which is why I got the scope). Been bleeding on and off for a couple years now, but it's still a remission. I did have a hemi this past summer. After the scope, I asked the doc if there was any bad hemi's, any signs of perianal-disease (fissures, abscesses, etc etc) visible and he said nothing. Mystery bleeding *shrug*. He said I had some mild hemis, but nothing unexpected as everyone has at least some (part of our anatomy).