Bleeding with IBS

[Yasai]

This is something that has happened to me before but I wanted to get some opinions on preventative measures I can take while it's still early days.

I've started bleeding again from the back passage. It's fresh blood, enough of it that it isn't coming from a tear (which I have checked for). Last time this happened in 2019 I had a colonoscopy and it found healing/old ulceration in my colon. I was given macrogol to reset my bowel which I was taking consistently until I got food poisoning in November 2020. My body settled into a new routine since where I had mostly solid BMs, no mucus or blood. I had the occasional upset stomach which is always caused by the aftermath of a panic attack or it's something I've eaten that my stomach does not like. I stopped regularly taking my macrogol at this point because I was just happy to have a routine. All was going well until I got ill in the run-up to Christmas.

I wasn't having any particular problems until late December last year when I had a kidney infection for 3 weeks and went through MacroBID, Cefalexin and Co-Amociclav to get rid of it (Co-Amociclav did the trick in the end, thank goodness). Co-Amociclav severely upset my IBS and that was when I noticed some familiar IBS symptoms I haven't had in a while.

Recently I've been getting an increasing amount of IBS cramps and going to the toilet is becoming quite uncomfortable. Again it feels like I have to keep emptying or that something is blocked. This evening I have taken some macrogol to try and clear things out and unfortunately have discovered I am bleeding again, exactly how it started in 2019. The IBS cramps and stomach pain are worse than last time which makes sense since I've recently finished a course of strong antibiotics, but I'm wondering what my next steps are.

My plan of action is to gather evidence to send to my GP, ideally I want to do this over the course of 1 week so there's emphasis on the fact that it isn't going away. I would like to have another colonoscopy done if possible to see what's going on since it's been 2 years since my last one, but due to the current situation with Covid that will take some time and I'm worried about going into a hospital setting but also bothering the NHS when the UK is seeing a terrible amount of Covid patients.

If anyone has any suggestions for what I can do in the meantime aside from taking pictures and writing down when/what triggered an IBS attack please let me know. 😊

[mondlee6248]

I think to me colonoscopy is good and Mayb some blood test. Besides bleed, what other symptoms you feel you have?

[Yasai in reply to mondlee6248]

Besides the bleeding it's stomach pain/cramps and nausea. I need to get a blood test done because I want to check my kidney function after being unwell in December.

I will get in touch with my GP and see what else needs to be done. I don't mind waiting for a colonoscopy but it would be nice to have one to check all is well!

Thank you for replying 🙂

[mondlee6248 in reply to Yasai]

Try to arrange for a colonoscopy and see what did your Gp says about your bleeding, do update us ya

[Yasai in reply to mondlee6248]

I plan to get in touch with my GP tomorrow before I go to work in the afternoon. I kept on taking the macrogol and the stomach ache and cramps have lessened a little bit but are still hanging around.

I would really like to have a colonoscopy just to put my mind at ease. This is the 3rd month in a row I've been unwell with something and I'm absolutely exhausted at this point.

I shall update you all when I hear back from my GP!😊

[Talulahjuanetta]

To reassure you I went in for a colonoscopy last week. I was nervous re Covid but as I went to a endoscopy suite felt ok. One in one out and didn’t see anyone other than the unit staff who were all maskedHad a Covid test before I went in and told to self isolate after it. I’m fine

I think it’s important to see or at least talk to your GP and get a referral

Good luck

Tal

[Yasai in reply to Talulahjuanetta]

Thank you very much! I'm nervous about the hospital setting because I am classed as Clinically Vulnerable with asthma and am getting increasingly concerned in regards to Covid.

How long did you have to isolate for? Just to get an idea of how long it would be post-colonoscopy before I could go back to work.

Thank you very much for replying! 😊

[Talulahjuanetta in reply to Yasai]

Mine was 3 days before procedure. Didn’t have to isolate after. It took me a little longer to recover I’d say day of procedure and day after but I think that was the pain relief drug which made me groggy.

[Hidden]

You seem to be going through a bad time....i hope you get well real soon.Here are some ideas that you might like to think about.

Your latest flareup seems to have occured after a course of antibiotics.

This will have certainly removed most of the gut bacteria both good and bad.

You must replace gut bacteria after antibiotic therapy...that keeps the mucosal lining healthy and free from inflamation.I have used slippery elm bark to increase mucus in my lower bowel to great effect.This would do no harm and may alleviate your issues because it reduces inflammation caused by thin areas of mucosa....and aid healing..at least until you get some medical help.best wishes.

[Yasai in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much. It's just been one thing after another - food poisoning in November, Kidney Infection in December, IBS flare now. I'm getting quite fatigued and generally don't have a lot of energy. I'm also getting a lot more headaches than I used to before the Kidney Infection.

I've been doing some research into prebiotic foods and am looking forward to payday when I can pick up a few things after work - bananas, oats, leeks - all things that I enjoy eating regardless in order to try and feed the good bacteria in my gut. I'm looking into probiotics as well and will be giving slippery elm bark a look into too!

Thank you very much for replying and I hope that I can update soon with some good news 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Yasai]

Your energy will certainly improve with prebiotics.The headaches may be related to a change in diet and extra tension.

There are some easy neck stretches that will rule out tension headaches on youtube.If this doesnt help, lavender oil on temples and or olive leaf extract, lowers pressure headaches. Stay strong ...stay safe.

[Talulahjuanetta]

I’m on actimel as I’d had antibiotics and consultant advised me to try it. Discomfort certainly much relieved but I’ve cut out several things so not sure what’s working!

[Hidden in reply to Talulahjuanetta]

Probiotics will restore your gut microbiome, let the body heal in its own time, all you can do is give it the ingredients to do the job.best wishes.