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Minor bleeding after pred. Should I be worried?

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Posted 10/3/2019 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor put me on pred after a yearlong mild flare became an extreme flare. I tapered off of 40mg over 5 weeks. I'm now off pred and taking maintenance meds (Apriso and just started Canasa).

Here's the thing: I've started seeing tiny amounts of blood and moderate amounts of mucus in my stool.

Does this mean I'm *still* flaring? My BM's are otherwise totally normal. No urgency, Bristol 4 beauties, 1-2x per day.

I'm scared that I've just landed back where I started and that my symptoms will worsen again. Is this likely?

Any advice? I WILL see my doctor in a few weeks if the Canasa doesn't do anything for the blood...
Posted 10/3/2019 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
How many instances of this have you seen? If it was only once, then chalk it up as a bad day, and no worries. If this is happening consistently for a number of days then yes you're flaring again. We're not truly safe until we've been off of pred for about 4-6 weeks and see no flare-signs during that time. If it's consistent then, yes do contact your gasteroenteroligist asap and tell him/her about your change in symptoms.

Hemorrhoids are also a potential possibility as we tend to sit on the toilet for long periods of time, and repeatedly.

Any looser consistency, any more urgency, or any more bms in a day? Flares are best confirmed with multiple signs, not just blood alone, as the hemi or other things might otherwise be at play if it's only blood.
Posted 10/3/2019 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
How long off pred and were you on the canasa and apriso throughout using the pred? What were your symptoms of the flare.
Do you have a hemorrhoid possibly?
Do you have mucus alone without stool?

I would err on the side of still flaring but limited in rectum.
Call your doc now and ask for a prescription for mesalamine retention enemas 4g and use the supps during the day.....or.....ask for steroid enemas and use supp during the day.

This is good timing to up the meds instead of waiting.

q
Posted 10/3/2019 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
@iPoop unfortunately the blood/mucus has been consistent for the past couple weeks. Otherwise, no other symptoms but fatigue.

The blood and mucus are embedded in the stool. Before I was ever diagnosed, I had these exact symptoms for a year (bad, I know) before I saw a gastro and was diagnosed with UP.

I only started Canasa a few days ago, but I've been on Apriso since before starting pred.
Posted 10/3/2019 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
You could give Canasa a couple weeks, as you're new on it. Regardless please tell your gastero asap smile
Posted 10/3/2019 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Probably a flare then. Sorry. sad I hope the Canasa works for you. I would definitely put a call in to your doctor if you want his input as well.
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