Possible ulcers caused by NSAID?

[LosingHope]

Hi all,

FYI - My uncle has ulcerative colitis at age 55 diagnosed.

In the last year I've had to take a lot of ibuprofen for severe migraines that were not effective with treatment of Paracetamol. The migraines are severe and incredibly disruptive to working life.

Anyway, last weekend I had a really bad fever with very high temperature, aches all over my body and runny stools.

Since 31-May, my stools have been very runny and dark. I went to the docs today as we are now day 5 of this.

I get abdominal pain and a need to go to the toilet to relieve the pain and I always get a trickle of diarrhea when I go.

The docs wanted 2 stool samples from me from the same passing to be tested for 2 different things.

I noticed my stools have lots of oil or mucus and small amount of blood.

Needless to say this is worrying the hell out of me.

I was prescribed Ciprofloxacin which to me sounds useless based on what I have read.

I suspect H.Pylori and ulcer and this prescribved antibiotic is useless for this and is even contraindicated with antacid type meds which I've read could help me.

I have access to Cimetidine should I self treat with this in the mean time? I'm convinced this is an ulcer.

 

[afidz]

Never self treat, you don't have the knowledge or understanding that doctors have wen they prescribe these meds
I would do as the doctor has suggested intil the results from the stool test come back

 

[LosingHope]

Update - just went to the toilet and passed what looked to be 70% blood. Looks like it's getting worse.

 

[afidz]

I would consider going to A&E, something clearly isnt right and they need to figure out what it is, keep us updated
And if you did take something that wasn't prescribed to you, it is important that you tell them

 

[LosingHope]

Yeah I haven't taken anything else other than the anti-biotic and I have no means of getting to an A&E or getting back either.

 

[theOcean]

Can no one take you to A&E? That bleeding is indicative of inflammation and that can be so, so dangerous if you don't get it treated.

 

[LosingHope]

Happy to say I've seen massive improvement since yesterday. Blood and Mucus in stools has completely gone and so has abdominal pain.

I think I contracted salmonella from eating eggs fresh from a neighbors chicken without handling them correctly. I made some hygeine errors lets put it that way.

Not totally out of the woods yet though. Still have soft stools though not total watery like before and going frequently.

Regards to the A&E, I live alone and have no money or transport atm so I'm totally out of luck there.

 

[theOcean]

That's good to hear that you're feeling better! Keep an eye out for symptoms still, and maybe try and book an appointment for your doctor if that's closer and actually accessible, unlike an A&E? It may be a good idea to see them just for good measure, and to maybe get a blood test to check for deficiencies/inflammation just to be sure.

 

[LosingHope]

Thanks Ocean. The doctor I saw on Wednesday who gave me the antibiotics said if I am still ill by Sunday and they haven't improved my situation then I need a blood test on Monday.

Do you think it's worth telling a white lie to the Dr on Monday in order for me to get this blood test? Will it confirm any possible ulcers caused by NSAID's?

I am worried about it because of how when I take the ibuprofen it gets rid of my migraines but makes my stomache gurgle?

I'm at a loss because Paracetamol doesn't work on my headaches and Tryptamines I have very bad reactions too. I don't want to take ibuprofen any more but it will affect my life massively such as work if I get the migraines I can't shut em off.

 

[theOcean]

What would the white lie be? I think it would be all right just to ask them for a blood test -- that you're concerned you may have internal inflammation and just want to be sure. There's no harm in asking, and I don't think your doctor would find a reason to say no. It's good to get regular blood tests anyway.

I know I just replied about it in another thread, but ibuprofen is actually dangerous to take if you do have a condition like IBD. It's better to take Tylenol if it's available to you, since it isn't harmful for our GI systems. If you do have to take ibuprofen/NSAIDs, try to take them on a full stomach if you can! I suffer from migraines too so I can totally relate -- Advil is the only thing that helps mine (sometimes; it's failing now) but they're bad for me.

And oh no, I'm in the same boat as you, actually. I'm allergic to Tryptamines, but haven't tried Paracetamol yet. Is there another migraine medication available to you? I've also heard of Amitriptyline which some people on here take for IBD, but it also works for migraines!

 

[LosingHope]

White lie would be that if I tell the Dr on Sunday everything is cleared up by the antibiotics it will be case closed and on to the next patient! My experience with GP's is that patient care don't seem to be high on the agenda it's all about getting people in and out quickly!

I'll have to look into alternative pain relief methods because ibuprofen just scares the hell outta me now after this!!

 

[theOcean]

Oh! In that case I don't think it would be so bad to tell a white lie, especially if you think you would be dismissed by them otherwise. Maybe try asking for the blood test first, and then if they ask you could do that.

Aw! I hope you can find something that helps. Now that I'm in remission I find it doesn't bother me to take an occasional NSAID, but I still try to be careful.