Having recently had both a CT colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy to identify why I am experiencing rectal bleeding, I read on the uk cancer research website that this can be a side effect of taking Hydroxy.
cancerresearchuk.org/about-....
If anyone has suffered from and had the problem of rectal bleeding resolved, I’d love to hear your experiences.
I have heard of HU causing GI issues but never rectal bleeding. In the absence of a findings of common GI causes on the scopes you had done, it seems reasonable to suspect a medication adverse effect. Suggest treating this an emergent condition and contacting your hematologist ASAP.
Hi Hunter, The link I quoted was the first reference I’d seen, but with no further information to support the claim I have made an appointment to see my haematologist as you suggest.
What is the result of your colonoscopy, if you may to share🙏.Do you have hemorrhoids...?
The sigmoidoscopy showed ulcers in the bowel wall but no haemorrhoids I’ve not yet had the results of the colonoscopy- hoping to get those before seeing haematologist.
I had very weird rectal bleeding episodes in spring-summer. No hemorrhoids involved. Colonoscopy showed no issues. I needed a pad and pressure to stop the bleeding. GI doctor had no idea what ET is, so I literally received no helpful answers.
ET can result in bleeding even without medication, so it could be due to the type of ET one has, in terms of clotting/bleeding. It is weird and in my case the repeated bleeding sank my ferritin levels.
I have had haemorrhoids and horrendous bleeding for years also a polyp removed 5 years ago. I stopped taking hydroxy 8 weeks ago and haven’t had a bleeding episode since. Probably coincidence but hadn’t thought about it until I read your post. Will be interesting to monitor this. Mel x
I've ET Jak 2 for almost 3 years on Peg interferon, not Hydroxy like you, was on a higher dose but now 45 per fortnight. I've had 3 major rectal bleeds, where I felt really ill, faint, clammy, like a vagus faint. After the first I ended up in hospital for the best part of a week, as bleed continued and I felt very unwell. I'd a colonoscopy after that where a polyp was removed, but no diagnosis. Nothing more for a year then another in May and again in June, the NHS waiting list was long and I was a bit frantic so I went for a private colonoscopy in the summer. This showed inflamation though the Biopsys were inconclusive. Possible ischaemic colitis diagnosed, which can be due to inadequate blood supply in bowel This can be result of low blood pressure so GP reduced meds I was taking for HB pressure.When I saw NHS doctor later he didn't agree with the diagnosis, has sent me for a scan of the area, which didn't show any issues. Recently had a sigmoidoscopy. Doctor took biopsys and haven't yet had results, but he said there was scarring which was probably a result of the inflammation from ischaemic colitis.
Sorry for the long medical history here, but hard to explain. I've discussed bleeding with haematologist but he said it wasn't due to Peg interferon. I hope you get some good news when your results come back Ipadlin.
I find this forum so helpful, and thank everyone for information and support 😊
I had a massive rectal bleed in March and I went to the Emergency room. They admitted me for 2 nights and also diagnosed me with ischemic colitis. They pounded me with antibiotics which made me really nauseous. I didn’t have any more episodes in the hospital so they released me. My gastro doctor told me I was too frail to go through a colonoscopy. So I still don’t know what caused it but I haven’t had any more episodes.
I have had ET since I was 17 and am now over 50. I am not on any major medications except an antiplatelet as my enlarged spleen mops up most of my excess platelets. I had a PR bleed that we are pretty confident was from an ischaemic bowel episode caused by a mesenteric clot. This was a pretty major bleed and not a small trickle of blood which did eventually resolve itself . Also quite painful. Don't know if this is similar to your experience but mesenteric clots are known to occur in some cases of ET.
Fortunately I’ve had nothing like this- I’m still waiting on CT colonoscopy results.
bleeding 
Besremi - Sore throat, swollen/bleeding gums
ET-symptom of abnormal bleeding.
