CT scan & Colonoscopy but no further on.

[omits]

Both tests have not revealed (all organs firing OK) why I have had five weeks of bleed (not bright blood) and some dark stools meaning in upper digestive track somewhere. Bleeding stopped now but have very loose stools 2/3 times a day. Had this problem two years ago starting with dark stools and upsets which never really cleared up and now back again. Dr says (NHS) he will send letter to Hosp to offer ongoing monitoring.

Has anyone been on this track?

No red flags for NHS but worth going private to find what's bleeding?

Thanks.

[tony11173]

Did you have gastroscope to view down to stomach?

[omits in reply to tony11173]

Earlier yes. A 5mm polyp and some other minor. I have a 3cm HH as well which behaves mostly. Father died of gastric cancer. Not sure of private cost to check it again and remove if necessary. Anyone know?

[tony11173 in reply to omits]

Private may cost at least £1000 at least, maybe much more it depends on many things. My private colonoscopy cost me 2k because NHS said i didnt need one. Well the private gastroenterologist found several conditions, 2 of which needed ongoing treatment. I had to go back to NHS and I was lectured for having the gore to return. its just outrageous. Honestly, if you've got ongoing unexplained bleeding you need answers.

[omits in reply to tony11173]

Did they treat it regardless?

[tony11173 in reply to omits]

Yes, the NHS pays for my prescription now..The private gastroenterologist contacted my doctor. NHS has a duty of care and i feel they need reminding now and then.

[omits in reply to tony11173]

Same exp. as mine. I had private TURP then a stricture appeared so the private Dr just registered me at the NHS hosp. as I said I could not afford another private op.

[Fruitcake1]

I have had the simular issues, colonoscopy, scans etc all clear I did go private and have had tests for celiac disease as well, which is negative, the consultant put it down to just one of those things that can happen but they think it's IBS.

[omits in reply to Fruitcake1]

Thanks for that. I'm thinking late recovery from the colon'py but possibly I've developed IBS, will have to look into that. This am settled a bit and back to near normal except for gut ache. Could you give an idea of private cost for that if you're in UK?

[Fruitcake1 in reply to omits]

Hi I am in the UK, I got the celiac blood test from my local GP that was requested by my consultant, so no cost there and everything else was via Bupa health care that's provided by work. I'm trying to work out now what triggers the IBS, fingers crossed no bleeding for a few months now

[omits in reply to Fruitcake1]

Thanks. I'm retired and just NHS. Dr has referred me to specialist so maybe a long wait. As you say, fingers crossed. If you discover anything appreciate a heads-up.

[Schnoodle2017]

I wished they did an endoscopy on me, not that I really want one. I have been suffering with dyspepsia since October ‘21. It got a lot worse to possibly causing pain in my stomach. That was back in November last year. Put on PPI meds and it did a great job. Then after Christmas and over indulgence I had pain in stomach. Going back to a normal fruit e during January didn’t do much. Went to doctors. Didn’t get ultrasound until April. I mentioned the dyspepsia and that I’d hope they’d scan that area. They scanned my stomach and found a fatty liver and fatty pancreas, and a tiny fluid (blood) cyst on my right kidney. Everything else was declared fine. Not sure how on going dyspepsia can be fine. Expect ultrasound isn’t likely to pick up hiatus hernia or GORD etc. GORD has been questioned on my patient record but nothing’s gone any further past PPI meds.

So, I don’t know. I always thought the NHS was thorough. Maybe so it seems.

[omits in reply to Schnoodle2017]

You don't mention if you had reflux which can occur with a HH. I was on PPI but reflux stopped so I stopped the med as it can be not good long term. you would need an endoscopy to discover any HH I guess. The endoscopy will also check the stomach. I have polyps there which I hope stays benign as my father died of gastric cancer. I don't drink (never smoked) more than a sip of beer now and again. I keep a good diet now to keep the risks down. Note if you have bile issues then likely your stools will change colour (mine are a lighter brown or worse so I suspect some biliary system problem (hopefully benign as all scans have come up neg.). Afaik the NHS does its best.

[Schnoodle2017 in reply to omits]

I have reflux a bit. Some days worse than others. Luckily, it hasn’t got what I call “the wet burp” stage. Although I I have to wind myself from time to time. That’s forcing out a burp as I have a feeling of pressure and trapped wind just below my chest.

I’ve been to just take the meds. One doctor did suggest I take the pills every other day and ween off in the spring (spring of this year). I stopped in summer. Things were fine until August. Then, the whole reflux thing started again. So, I’ll have to restart meds.

I’m relieved to hear that your results are negative. I think I’ll have a meds review at some point and ask about taking these PPI long term. Wether I’ll need other investigations.