Clean Colonoscopy/Blood returns

[botrel4]

I had a colonoscopy about a week ago because I was losing a LOT of blood when I had a bowel movement. Prior to the scope, I went from Humira every-other-week, to weekly injections (3 weeks worth as weekly dosing is not approved by my insurance) and was still on Entocort. That combination and frequency stopped the bleeding. The week of my colonoscopy was my first week without the weekly injection. After the scope, I was told there was no inflammation and the blood loss must be from hemorrhoids. However, just a couple days after (and before I could take my Humira again) the bleeding resumed - big, mucousy looking blobs and the entire toilet water was red. I am very frustrated because my doctor doesn't ever get to see what I see. Anyway, I'm tapering off Entocort and due for my Humira injection tomorrow.

 

[Jennifer]

Sounds like your bleeding may be higher up. You can have bright red blood pretty high up from your digestive tract (all the way up to just under the stomach if I'm not mistaken). I was bleeding in my terminal ileum and a scope doesn't reach that far. Perhaps you could request a small bowel follow through at least. Hope the Humira does work for you though.

Curious as to why you're coming off the Entocort if you're still bleeding?

 

[Rickgren]

I had kind of a similar thing happen to me. Lots of blood........ct scan showed nada.............more bleeding. While sitting there in the bathroom one painful morning reading my iPad when I wasnt praying I decided to take a couple of pictures of my "work in the bowl" and on my next appointment showed them to my doctor. Well, after he shit a purple Twinkie he decided to do another colonoscopy. My third one this year. And behold... Found a fistula that was working from my colon to my bladder. I think doctors get a lot of folks who will complain about nothing.....show them a picture that looks like a shark attack happened in the toilet tends to make them take notice.
Worked for me

 

[botrel4]

Well, Rickgren, I did what you did and took the pictures. However, my doctor's office does not have an email address that I can send them to and I'm a full-time working mom of 2 and can't run to the office as it is 1.5 hours away. So, I talked to my nurse, who in turn talked to my doctor, and was told that bleeding is "normal" and it if persists for a length of time, to call them back. I told them that this happens 2 - 5 days before my next Humira injection is due - every time. The nurse said that the doctor hopes it will go away after a while. How long do you wait though? Something isn't right and I can feel it. Is this going to be my new normal? My insurance approved me for Remicade, but the doctor wants me to continue on Humira. Maybe a change is what I need since the Humira only works if I take it weekly and insurance won't allow that. I understand that specialists work with folks just like me all the time and this is pretty routine for them...It just isn't routine for me and it can be quite scary... --frustrated and confused.