Very Scared!!!!

Hi!

I was wondering if someone could help me out. I am freaking out because for the past couple of months I have had bright red blood and occasional clear mucous (sorry for the graphic content) in my stool. It started off being occassional and recently has been more often at times for weeks. I went to the doctor and she checked to see if it was hemmroids or fisures and it was neither. She sent me for a blood test and 2 procedures, still waiting for results. People have been filling my head with all sorts of possiblities from Crohn's, to Cancer to Ulcerative Colitis. Are my symptoms consistent with any of the mentioned possiblities and are they treatable? Please help!!!

It sounds just like the condition I have.... ulcerative proctitis.  It is like ulcerative colitis but only in the lower part of the colon.  Only the rectum is affected. 

Do you get serious stomach pains and bloating as well? Some times it gets so bad that I am crouched over and can't move from the cramping.

Yes, and because it has been several months that you have been suffering it is getting worse. When you start treatment, then that will hopefully subside. Interestingly enough, I stopped doing accupuncture because it was getting too expensive. My bleeding started back up again (within 2 weeks of stopping treatment). And then, about 2 months later I went into remission again. Currently in remission with NO meds.... for no reason whatsoever. I know people with colitis say that stress makes their symptoms worse but I think with proctitis is might be different. I'm under a great deal of stress right now and it hasn't affected my proctitis at all.

Also, one other observation. I have been suspecting that the sulfites in bagged lettuce might be a problem for me, so I stopped eating it about a month ago. Still eating veggies, washed, etc., but no bagged lettuce. Don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. The allergy testing can't test on chemicals......

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Diagnosed with severe ulcerative proctitis - 2003.

In regards to the stress factor, it happens to me wether I am stressed or not Or it could be that I am so overly stressed that I am stressed even when I don't think I am. Who knows!?

I just read the post right below mine and funny enough I quit smoking in June and shortly thereafter, I started seeing the blood. I was told that smoking masks the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis and my symptoms are similar to those who have Ulcerative Colitis.

I have proctitis as well and sounds like my symptoms, when in a 'mild' (for me) flare. Push your Doc for a diagnosis. Have you asked about a colonoscopy? What kind of tests did they do? Are they giving you any meds now?

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Beth, 32

I had a Barium Enema done (what an awful experience) and I am going for tests for my small intestine where I will need to ingest some sort of liquid. If anyone has had this procedure done, can you advise me if it is painful as the previous procedure had me doubled over with major cramps. I also went for blood tests. Since I have yet to go for the second test this coming Friday, my follow up appointment with my doctor is only Dec. 13th. I will not know till then for sure what it is I do have.

I'm surprised they haven't at least done a flex sig. The pain and cramping and mucous could be irritable bowel syndrome which is much less serious than the inflammatory bowel diseases - Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. If hemmorhoids have been ruled out, the bleeding could indicate a more serious problem. However, worrying about the worst case scenario is going to be counterproductive.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

Hi - You'll need a colonoscopy, but it sounds like ulcerative colitis to me (had same symptoms along with diarrhea for 3 months before going to the doctor). The colonoscopy was no big deal, really. Medication for UC is specific for ulcers on the colon and very effective. The secret is to get a very good gastroenterologist.

Really? Even if I already had a Barium Enema? Can you advise how do these procedures differ?

sorry, I am not familiar w/a barium enema. The colonoscopy, you have to drink stuff and emty out your colon, which for me was mostly aggravating, not really painful to do (you do get really tired at the end of the prep and a little sore) and the test and everything after the prep I thought was better than the prep.

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Beth, 32

Barium enemas are most commonly used to check bowel health; they can help diagnose and evaluate the extent of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Polyps can be seen, though not removed during the exam like with a colonoscopy. Other problems such as diverticulitis (small pouches formed on the colon wall that can become inflamed) and intussusception can be found. An acute appendicitis or twisted loop of the bowel may also be seen.

A colonoscopy is more refined... it allows the doctor to see exactly what's happening on the inside wall of the colon. It also allows them to take biopsies and remove polyps.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

These were the first tests they gave me also. Horrible aren't they? It sounds like the second test they will just have you drink barium (pretty gross but nothing for a medical test is gonna taste good) and pretty much take xrays of it going down. Now I was 7 when I had my first one of these and the last one was about 15 years ago so the process may have changed. But it was pretty harmelss.

With the barium enemas they are only looking at xrays, a colonoscopy and flex sig will actually let them see the insides of the colon witha camera.

This is a hard process. Try not to freak out (i know, its hard). You will get through this! Good Luck!

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, 15 mg pred. until immuran kicks in...
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---bumped to 100mg 10/8/07
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

I've had it done and it's not painful at all, not pleasant, but not painful. You just have to drink a lot of really chalky liquid and get a lot of X-Rays.

If it were me, I would insist on a colonoscopy. If you have a lot of red blood coming out, I doubt it would be from your upper GI tract. You would have to be bleeding pretty bad for it to be coming from there I would think.
Like someone said already, the prep is the worst part of a scope. If you get one, I'd suggest that you insist on Miralax for the laxative. It is much easier on you than Fleet's Phosphosoda, doesn't have a disgusting flavor, and doesn't cause cramping like other laxatives. It also works very fast, so you don't end up sitting on the commode most of the evening.

Don't worry about being graphic in your descriptions here. Most of us have not only heard graphic, but seen graphic. When I was diagnosed, every time I went to the bathroom it looked like mashed strawberries, so I know graphic.

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Each day is a gift, make every one count.

Thank you all so much, you have all been so helpful and the information and suggestions given are priceless. I will definitely speak to my doctor about all this.

Just one last question, simply out of curiosity... What causes the development of Ulcerative Colitis? Is it brought on my stress? Is it the food you eat, is it a genetic predisposition?

Hi, Wreck. Sorry you're going through all of this. I know how scary it can all be. I was just diagnosed in March. I also had blood and mucous in my stools that started out just once in a while and then started happening more frequently. I had that horrible abdominal pain, too. Since I've been on meds, I've had minimal pain...none of that doubling-over-and-can't-move pain anymore, so that's good. Maybe once your doctor figures out what your diagnosis is, he will start you on some meds...hopefully, that will be before your Dec. 13 appt.

Researchers and doctors don't know the cause of Ulcerative Colitis (UC for short). They do not believe it is caused by stress or food. There are some differing theories about what could possibly cause it, one of those involves having a genetic predisposition, but they do not know for certain what causes it. A good Web site for UC info. is www.ccfa.org. The site has 2 paragraphs talking about possible causes, including this excerpt: "Studies indicate that the inflammation in IBD involves a complex interaction of factors: the genes the person has inherited, the immune system, and something in the environment."

Keep us posted as to how you're doing. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want.

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23 years old
Diagnosed with UC March 2007
Current inflamation in the rectum
Asacol 4 tablets 3x/day

Thanks so much for the info, I will go through the website thoroughly and see what I can find. I will keep you posted in regards to diagnosis and take it from there. Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to answer my questions and for being so informative, I really appreciate it.

The cause....? No good reasons... which is why there are no cures... just meds to control the symptoms until they mysteriously disappear again. Some people go into remission for years.... notice I say remission, not cured or healed. A healthy body is a huge part. I think the body is trying to tell you something... whether unhealthy liver, or spleen, or whatever...

Good luck. The bright blood is definitely a sign that it is proctitis.

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Diagnosed with severe ulcerative proctitis - 2003.

I just read up on proctitis and it is a sexually transmitted disease. The non-sexually transmitted version is apprently less frequent. I have never engaged in any activity that would cause it to be sexually transmitted and I have been tested for all STD's and all clear, I have also been in a monogamous relationship for the last 3 years. Is it the "bright blood" only associated with proctitis? Is it not a symptom in related to Crohn's and UC as well?

It can be UC as well. AND I need to make this very clear.....Proctitis can be explained for people that have anal sex and/or are homosexual. However, it is NOT always a sexually transmitted disease. I have never had anal sex, have been married for over 12 yrs and no other partner. The fact that "they" say its a sexually transmitted disease is only the case for the cases that they can actually explain or have a reason for the persons having it. Many, many people have proctitis with no history of anal sex, homosexuality, etc. I remember reading that as well. It made me angry to think that the doctors are just "writing us off" as someone who was promisuous. It's not true and I bet other people on this forum will agree.

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Diagnosed with severe ulcerative proctitis - 2003.

THANK YOU!!!!! I appreciate the reassurance and the confirmation!!! Like I said I have tested negative for all STD's and have only been with my husband for the last 3 years. Thanks again!

An STD? Proctitis?

Ridiculous statement. Unless I'm the Virgin Mary of STDs. <-- not meaning to disrespect anyone's beliefs, of course

Mitz

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Sporadic proctitis since about 1985. Mother had J-pouch surgery 1983.
DX'd with clostridium difficile in 2000. Pred, two courses of Flagyl, then Vancomycin finally got rid of it. 2001 colonoscopy dx'd left-sided UC. . Treated with prednisone, Rowasa, Asacol. Asacol not working, switched to Imuran. Three small flares since in 2002, 2005, and 2007, brought under control with steroid and Rowasa enemas. Lap Chole performed October 26, 2007, after gall bladder attack in June, '07.
Daily meds: 100 mg Azathioprine and 225 mg Effexor XR (for chronic, longstanding depression), many vitamins and Primadophilus Reuteri

Thanks MitzMN!!!

I have proctitis and I can guarantee I did not get it from sex.  I don't believe it is caused from food either.