Should rectal bleeding be a concern?

[emke0921]

Hi,
I am currently trying to get a diagnosis, and doctors have confirmed I do not have external or internal hemorrhoids (I had a CT scan). Two weeks later, I started to see some blood after BMs, in the toilet bowl, on toilet paper and on stool. I thought this was anal fissures and didn't think much of it. This has been continueing for two weeks, and the amount of blood has increased with some mucus. Today my entire toilet bowl was spattered with dark red blood, and my stool (excuse me) looked like someone had dipped it in a bucket of blood. This happened with some abdominal pain before and after. I checked if I had external hemorrhoids, but it looks normal. My anus feels fine, no itching or pain. No anal pain with passing stool except for abdominal pain. My doctors, when I had told them that I occasionally had alot of rectal bleeding, said it shouldn't be a concern. Has anyone experienced this? Should it be a concern?
Thanks for reading,
Lucy

 

[tots]

I think it would be a concern. I am not sure where you live and what type of medical plan you have to follow but, when that happened to me a few years ago, my dr had me go to the ER, the first night they sent me home. I needed to work the next day, Not smart on my end. The following day I was admitted.

Any chance you can call your Dr? Even if its just a primary Dr? How about the ER?

Before my diagnosis I worked for a GI, I would instruct bleeding patients to go to the ER.

Take care and let me know what happens!


Lauren

 

[ronroush7]

I agree with tots. Keep us updated.

 

[scottsma]

It's quite common to bleed while in a flare.I have had the same thing you described two or three times.I would get in touch with your GIs office,at the very least.For me, a course of prednisolone (steroid) cleared it up .Don't leave it to long.The fact that you've posted shows you're concerned.Better to be safe.

 

[emke0921]

I will definitely go to the doctor as soon as possible. I suppose I could go to the ER, but a childish side of me tells me that I'm not ill enough to go there. If the pain gets any worse or the bleeding changes to something more concerning, I will definitely go. I've been waiting for another flare before going to the doctor again, and now I suppose I will - I'm really not feeling well.
Thanks for your replies,
Lucy

 

[Trysha]

Any bleeding is always a concern and needs to be looked at sooner than later
It sounds as if you should be going to the emergency room for immediate attention.
Don't wait any longer.......better be safe and leave the diagnosis to the doctors.
Feel better soon
Trysha

 

[Ihurt]

If you are bleeding alot then I would say that is when you go to the ER. Otherwise I would just put a call in to your GI doctor and tell him/her what is going on. The ER in my experience is Not very good with these kinds of issues( unless you are bleeding badly, then you need to get yourself to the hospital right away). Otherwise all the ER will do is check your hemoglobin, iron etc.. and if they are all okay, they will send you on your way and tell you to follow up with your GI doc. Now if you are having increasing pain that is not usual for you along with loads of bleeding, then I would say you would be more apt to get some help at the ER. They would probably try and contact your GI doc anyhow. I would call your GI doc, that is what I would do and go from there depending on what he/she suggests.

 

[Bufford]

Get it checked out, it appears that it may have been an internal abscess that broke from what you describe. There is always a chance for a bad bleed to follow, so better watch it carefully.

 

[fernando3]

Dark red blood usually means that the problem is more up in the colon. Bright red blood is more of a rectum or anal problem.

The ER is superficially help but for something like this, I suggest you get a colonoscopy, as said before you may have an abscess. Don't let it go since it may result in a perforation which you must avoid at all costs. The ER does not colonoscopy, at best they may do a CAT scan which does not look at the tissue inside the colon.

Loss of blood will lead to anemia, you need to start to take iron since you become deficient because of the blood. Do not take too much, though, since iron overdoses are stored in the body and you can become very ill.

 

[tots]

I disagree about the emergency room being superficial care.

Having worked for Drs and been an ER patent myself I know what they can do.

If a person is bleeding internally, they can evaluate the severity and admit the patient if needed. They can get the patient a consult with a specialist in the ER if they feel its serious enough, if not the patient can usually get into see a specialist sooner than if they called on their own. There is always a rotation of on call specialists through the ER. If a person feels they have an access, lab work and radiology tests can confirm. d

My CT scan did in fact show my CD, the amount of affected area, the thickening of the tissue etc.


I would never down play the role the ER can play in a disease that does not go by a Drs routine offie hours! I have been helped many times in the ER.


Lauren