Blood - worried!!!

[alicedoll]

Hi - I'm so worried I can't sleep!!!!

On Saturday I started to experience really really bad blood in my stool - bright red and lots of it - it's been the bank holiday wekeend so I haven't been able to contact my doctor so am turning to you as I'm panicking like crazy trying to fall asleep right now!

This is my second proper flare up in my life (diagnosed over 4 years ago) - other than this I have been really steady on mercaptopurine. Unfortunately I experienced a few days where I didn't have my medications as I think as a result I have flared - and bad.

I am obviously going to call my doctor first thing tomorrow and ask to be put on steroids immediately as I have always reacted very well to them - they have worked within days

I'm super panicking that I'm going to need some surgery or soemthing - but given my medication is usually steady (when I take it consistently) and I react to steroids well also do you think this will probably be a last resort?! I hope so much - have people had experience in a similar situation - that their crohns is quite mild and under control, and then they've suddenly had a bad flare up. I really don't want surgery!!!!!

 

[ronroush7]

I would definitely call your doctor. Try to stay calm. You have a lot of support here. Let us know how you are. Stress can make things worse

 

[Hypocrohniac]

Hey Alicedoll, surgery is always a last resort. You can have heaps of bleeding for lots of different reasons. It may just be a haemorrhoid - they bleed like crazy. Makes me thing I'm having an anal period. Bright red is less worrisome than dark red I think (someone will be along to correct me if I get this wrong). Bright red can mean large intestine, and dark red can mean small intestine, so it could be something minor, even though it is terrifying. As Ron said, keep us posted. Find something soothing to help you sleep. Then, call you Dr when you can.

 

[Sorebutt26]

Hi - I'm so worried I can't sleep!!!!

On Saturday I started to experience really really bad blood in my stool - bright red and lots of it - it's been the bank holiday wekeend so I haven't been able to contact my doctor so am turning to you as I'm panicking like crazy trying to fall asleep right now!

This is my second proper flare up in my life (diagnosed over 4 years ago) - other than this I have been really steady on mercaptopurine. Unfortunately I experienced a few days where I didn't have my medications as I think as a result I have flared - and bad.

I am obviously going to call my doctor first thing tomorrow and ask to be put on steroids immediately as I have always reacted very well to them - they have worked within days

I'm super panicking that I'm going to need some surgery or soemthing - but given my medication is usually steady (when I take it consistently) and I react to steroids well also do you think this will probably be a last resort?! I hope so much - have people had experience in a similar situation - that their crohns is quite mild and under control, and then they've suddenly had a bad flare up. I really don't want surgery!!!!!

Hi alicedoll

How did you get on this morning? Have you managed to call your doc?

Blood can mean so many things (although it's always pretty scary to see). As mentioned above haemorroids and fissures can cause lots of blood and don't always come with pain.

XxX

 

[scottsma]

A lot of us have bleeding every so often,I'm one of them.It is scary I agree.Prednisone works very well for me.I hope by now you've seen your doctor and you're feeling calmer.Please let us know.

 

[eleanor_rigby]

They will be highly unlikely to operate on you unless:
- it is a necessity to save your life (such as you have a bowel perforation or obstruction)
- or you have scar tissue that has caused such a narrowing in your bowel that it is dangerous and could lead to an obstruction/ is affecting your quality of life a significant amount.
- or you have severe inflammation that has not responded to any treatment and surgery is a last resort.

I don't think from what you have said any of these situations apply to you.

 

[Bufford]

Another thing to note is that the blood in the stool and toilet appears to be a lot more than it really is. A few drops of blood can look far worse than it is, but call your doctor.

 

[Lizzie]

I agree, blood is terrifying, particularly when there's lots of it and out of the blue, but as people have said, it doesn't always mean something incredibly awful requiring surgery, especially if it's red blood. Sudden bleeding happened to me again about three months ago and the GI nurse put me on 1g Salofalk suppositories three times a week and thankfully (touch wood) the bleeding stopped. (This was bright red blood from the rectum, as one of my problems is proctitis but the Asacol had been keeping it under control for some time.) Previous times I've had bad bleeding and lots of pain etc, steroids have sorted it out eventually. I must admit, though, you always worry about surgery as bleeding seems hideously unnatural and scary.

 

[Hypocrohniac]

I must be channelling this thread - I've had bleeding this morning for the first time in months and have to take my own advice! Stay calm. Tell myself is ok, nothing to hit the panic button over, but sheesh - I hate it!

 

[Sorebutt26]

I must be channelling this thread - I've had bleeding this morning for the first time in months and have to take my own advice! Stay calm. Tell myself is ok, nothing to hit the panic button over, but sheesh - I hate it!

horrible feeling and always worrying isn't it. But as we've all said (including yourself) it can be for so many reasons. Obviously if it persists or there is any dark blood... get it checked xxx