Bleeding

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
350
Hi everyone, Its been a long time since I was on this forum but I could do with some advice.

For the past 2 days I have had abdominal pain which has been quite constant. About a hour ago I had my bowels opened & there was lots of very dark blood with quite a few clots. I have noticed blood for a while now but this has got m worried.

The abdominal pain has lessened now but that could be in response to the strong pain meds I have taken. Its not like the pain from a bowel obstruction but more like I have been kicked all over the abdomen

I am currently on no meds for crohns disease.

I had a right hemi colectomy due to crohns in 2012.

I used to take azathioprine but wasn't being given the regular checks with blood tests etc. I have now switched hospitals so may consider it in the future.

Just a bit worried.
 
Put a call into the doctor.
Sounds like you're flairing.

Sending you my support. If it's really bad don't hesitate to get it checked out.
 
Call your doctor right away. Any bleeding needs to be looked into immediately. You might want to consider going to the hospital, and if you experience any symptoms of blood loss (light headedness, dizziness, fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heartbeat, etc.), definitely go.
 
I agree with the above - you need a doctor's input. Dark bleeding needs to be investigated.

If you don't have a gastroenterologist at your new hospital yet, get your GP to refer you, and make sure the GP knows all your symptoms and can make sure you get seen quickly if necessary. If you do have a gastroenterologist you've seen before, ring his/her secretary and ask if you can make an appointment directly (sometimes you can, sometimes you'll need to go through the GP). Even if you can make an appointment directly, I would still make an urgent GP appointment in the mean time, just to get a general check on your situation.

And as SarahBear says, if you have symptoms of blood loss, consider going to A&E. If you have a fever, start vomiting, or if the pain becomes severe again, A&E would be a good idea then too.

You probably just need medication to get a flare under control, but it will need to be sorted, and it's better to do so quickly.

Also, if you do need to go to A&E, ignore the stuff that's been on the news so much lately about A&E departments making patients wait hours and hours - when I went to A&E recently, it was packed but they saw me right away. They do prioritise. If people go for minor things, or to just get pain relief, they have to wait a long time, but they will not make you wait if there's the possibility of something serious being wrong - they will assess you, and will determine how soon you're seen based on the initial assessment.
 
Thanks guys.
Strangely enough since losing all that blood I'm finding the pain bearable. I have a bag ready to go to A & E but I seem to be coping so I'm going to ring the crown nurse in the morning to get some advice.
 
I know what you mean about the pain seeming to disappear when the bleeding happened. It was the same for me. I do hope you are checking this quickly enough to head off the problems. Take care!
 
Hi all. Still waiting for IBD nurse to get back to me. Couldn't get in touch or seem to leave a message yesterday. Pain is much more tolerable today & apart from feeling tired & headaches I seem to be doing better.
Sending in stool sample & will have bloods done on Thursday.
 
Fatigue and headaches are symptoms of blood loss. Has the bleeding continued at the same severity? In your situation, I would go to the hospital.
 
If you're still bleeding, I wouldn't have thought you need to speak to an IBD nurse about this right now - your priority at the moment is to make sure you're safe; working out the cause and treatment of the problem, which will require more expertise in IBD, will come later. I understand not wanting to go to A&E - can you get a same-day/urgent GP appointment? You really just need to be assessed by a medical professional who can check your blood pressure, see if you're dehydrated, and maybe prescribe you rehydration supplements to replace electrolytes and fluid, or anti-diarrhoea or pain meds and make sure you're ok to wait until you can see someone more specialised.

(I know we're starting to sound like worried mothers here - but blood loss is serious!)
 
Stopped bleeding on Sunday night & the pain has now just about gone but swelled belly continues. Tried to get to see gp but could not get in until tomorrow morning. The IBD nurse said I should have gone to A&E but I didn't want to be in there again. Will keep you all updated as to what happens next. Just fed up with being ill I think.
 
I had bleeding on Friday/Saturday (for the first time in months). Called Gastro office on Monday and they couldn't "fit me in" until Wednesday! :( Guess it's not that urgent to them???
 
JenS it does make you wonder what is considered an emergency.
Hope your symptoms improve soon.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top