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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/30/2020 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is hanging in there during these weird times. So much has changed...

I wanted to give a little update on me. I was having bright red steaks on my stool and sometimes more like red patches on the sides of my stool for a few months. I was usually only having 1-2 formed bms a day with no urgency or tenesmus. I did have pain and irritation around my rectal area at times and sometimes when using an enema which I am/was on twice a week for maintenance along with oral Salofalk.

My GP dx with hemorrhoids and I have used Proctocedyl ointment and suppositories on and off for about 8 months now.

My problem is that I never truly feel like I’ve healed this hemorrhoid. Sometimes it may stop bleeding but inevitably the bright red blood returns on my stool. It is so frustrating and causes me to worry that this may be a flare instead.

So, I called my GI and he agreed with my GP.... hemmerhoids, and said to stop worrying. He is not in office still so he just did a phone call.

Anyways, again I am plagued with the red blood. It is on my stool. Some days streaks on the side and today more like patches on the stool. On the toilet paper as well today but only on the first wipe.

I do feel a bump inside. It’s not external.

So, what would you do considering Covid and no in office visits. I don’t think this warrants a colonoscopy as I had on last July 2019 and was in remission confirmed with biopsies.

Do I treat as a flare and up my enemas?

That’s my big question... would you up your enemas to nightly although the nozzle seems to irritate whatever it is, or would you treat as hemmie?

Sorry so long. Looking for ideas bc something needs to work lol

Thanks so much
Posted 8/30/2020 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
I would get a fecal calprotectin test to see if there is evidence of inflammation before upping my meds
Posted 8/30/2020 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I would ask for a consult with a colo-rectal dr for an internal hemmie. If the medication hasn't healed it time to see a specialist that knows about them.

I wouldn't let my gp or gi fob me off with, well it's just a hemmie.
Posted 8/30/2020 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Anal area...or rectal?

q
Posted 8/30/2020 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy,

I suppose it is more anal area and not as far as rectum?

Post Edited (kweeks) : 8/30/2020 10:19:59 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/30/2020 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks straydog and poopy... only on this forum can I type that LOL

I have a call in tomorrow to my GI to ask him to either examine it and tell me what to do next about it or to refer me to someone who will.

Thanks so much for responses.
Posted 8/30/2020 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I think a calprotectin test is a good idea but I'd also probably try steroid s upps for a few days to see if that helps. Seeing the gi is always a good idea when there's blood. Better to get it handled than to wait and assume.
Posted 8/30/2020 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
if you have been treating this for 8 months and these are your only symptoms, my guess is NOT a flare -

what is your normal diet ?

i agree with the K girl = steroid supps -
Posted 8/31/2020 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I had streaks in my stool for 6 months. It was my only symptom. When I had a colonoscopy, I did have some signs of active colitis through sigmoid but the doctor removed two polyps and thought those were actually the cause of the blood streaks in my stool. He must have been right because I no longer had the streaks after polyp removal.
Posted 8/31/2020 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks TT,

My diet is not consistent. It varies in amount and type of food on a daily basis. I don’t think I get enough fiber. Some days my bms are harder but never overly hard. Some days softer.

I have Proctocedyl suppositories and ointment. I’ll try to re start the suppositories for a week twice a day as it’s been prescribed in the past.

I guess also the fact that I use enemas twice a week doesn’t necessarily allow for the hemmie to heal fully?

Agree that this has been ongoing for long enough that if it was a flare it should have progressed further by now but I would like a clear confirmation of where it is and that it is indeed a hemorrhoid.
Posted 8/31/2020 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
i definitely understand wanting some solid answers - you just have to weigh the cost vs benefit -

time for a new GI doc ?

maybe focus on a fun-filled-fiber diet for a couple weeks - i'm trying to really shovel in all the fresh fruits and veggies that i can before it's all over for another 8 months - although i'm done with summer, i do hate giving up all the fresh local produce -

TT
Posted 9/1/2020 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I do I think my G.I. has been somewhat complacent with my questions and requests surrounding this hemorrhoid and consistent bleeding for the past months. He is however decent in many other ways and during this time especially (pandemic) I’m too scared to switch specialists. I am going to make a consistent effort to eat more fiber during the day along with using the steroid suppository.

I put in a call to my G.I. and hopefully he will call me back and then I will request an in office appointment to look at what’s happening.

Hope it works.
Posted 9/1/2020 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
sounds like a good plan (imo anyway)

good luck smile

TT
Posted 9/1/2020 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all.
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