What would you do?

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is hanging in there during these weird times. So much has changed...

I wanted to give a little update on me. I was having bright red steaks on my stool and sometimes more like red patches on the sides of my stool for a few months. I was usually only having 1-2 formed bms a day with no urgency or tenesmus. I did have pain and irritation around my rectal area at times and sometimes when using an enema which I am/was on twice a week for maintenance along with oral Salofalk.

My GP dx with hemorrhoids and I have used Proctocedyl ointment and suppositories on and off for about 8 months now.

My problem is that I never truly feel like I’ve healed this hemorrhoid. Sometimes it may stop bleeding but inevitably the bright red blood returns on my stool. It is so frustrating and causes me to worry that this may be a flare instead.

So, I called my GI and he agreed with my GP.... hemmerhoids, and said to stop worrying. He is not in office still so he just did a phone call.

Anyways, again I am plagued with the red blood. It is on my stool. Some days streaks on the side and today more like patches on the stool. On the toilet paper as well today but only on the first wipe.

I do feel a bump inside. It’s not external.

So, what would you do considering Covid and no in office visits. I don’t think this warrants a colonoscopy as I had on last July 2019 and was in remission confirmed with biopsies.

Do I treat as a flare and up my enemas?

That’s my big question... would you up your enemas to nightly although the nozzle seems to irritate whatever it is, or would you treat as hemmie?

Sorry so long. Looking for ideas bc something needs to work lol

Thanks so much

I would ask for a consult with a colo-rectal dr for an internal hemmie. If the medication hasn't healed it time to see a specialist that knows about them.

I wouldn't let my gp or gi fob me off with, well it's just a hemmie.

Hi Quincy,

I suppose it is more anal area and not as far as rectum?

Post Edited (kweeks) : 8/30/2020 10:19:59 AM (GMT-6)

I think a calprotectin test is a good idea but I'd also probably try steroid s upps for a few days to see if that helps. Seeing the gi is always a good idea when there's blood. Better to get it handled than to wait and assume.

I had streaks in my stool for 6 months. It was my only symptom. When I had a colonoscopy, I did have some signs of active colitis through sigmoid but the doctor removed two polyps and thought those were actually the cause of the blood streaks in my stool. He must have been right because I no longer had the streaks after polyp removal.

i definitely understand wanting some solid answers - you just have to weigh the cost vs benefit -

time for a new GI doc ?

maybe focus on a fun-filled-fiber diet for a couple weeks - i'm trying to really shovel in all the fresh fruits and veggies that i can before it's all over for another 8 months - although i'm done with summer, i do hate giving up all the fresh local produce -

TT

sounds like a good plan (imo anyway)

good luck

TT