Wellness

[EastCoastGal]

First .. l don't have a PCP. I've lived here for about five years. Did have one for two years but wasn't happy with that office.

My problem... A few months ago, out of the blue l had a bad stomach ache. Went in to the bathroom and had blood and blood clots come out my rear. It kept happening every 15 or 20 minutes. Then l threw up clear liquid over and over in a waste basket. This just happened one time.

The blood and blood clots kept happening all evening and the next day for a total of between 40 and 50 times! I took a picture to show my colonoscopy doctor. He was very concerned and asked when was the last time I had a colonoscopy. I said almost five years ago. He did say there are other parts of the colon that could cause this bleeding. Told him l was afraid it was colon cancer because my older brother had it 20 years ago. He scheduled my next colonoscopy a few weeks later..which was due anyway.

Had the colonoscopy and l was a wreck before it thinking l would be told the worst possible news. My blood pressure went way up and had to be monitored during the procedure. After the doctor came to me and said l was fine!!! I was so happy! He said he really didn't think the bleeding and b.clots were from the colon...and said I'll see you in five years!

So yes I was happy but where did all of that blood clots come from. Each time l bled there were two blood clots equalling about 100 blood clots in two days!!!!!! Wouldn't he be the doctor who would do more testing to find out where this came from?? He did seem puzzled when l told him about it and gave me an internal.

He works in an office with a senior partner whose been there 20+ years. My brother had him 20 years ago when he had colon cancer. The doctor l had that day for my procedure has been there 4 years.

My question. Should l call the senior doctor and tell him what happened...that his younger colleague showed no interest in finding out why l had these two days of bleeding and blood clots at least 40 to 50 times??? OR would you go to another specialist in this type of problem. I forgot the correct specialist but it's the same office as doctors 

[CalminHeart]

Most doctors who perform colonoscopies refer people to other specialists if problems are found. Do not call the senior doctor.

Did the colonoscopy dr refer you to someone? If not, get the results on paper and call your own doctor for a referral or recommendation.

IMO, I'd have gone to the emergency room the first day if I had clots and blood like you describe.

[on the bay]

@EastCoastGal,

Did anyone mention internal hemorroids perhaps?😐 

it's a good idea to ask that sr dr. I hope he'll be able to explain something! 

[50Mickey]

Usually you are still a little out of it right after a colonoscopy from from the anesthesia. But did you ask the doctor what could have caused the bleeding? Did you receive a written report with findings and recommendations? If not you need to contact the office and ask for this.  

Not being a doctor but if the blood was bright red my guess would be hemorrhoids. But I would not ignore this. I can't imagine a doctor just blowing this off without an explanation or a recommendation for a followup appointment.   

[EastCoastGal]

---

@CalminHeart wrote:

Most doctors who perform colonoscopies refer people to other specialists if problems are found. Do not call the senior doctor.

Did the colonoscopy dr refer you to someone? If not, get the results on paper and call your own doctor for a referral or recommendation.

IMO, I'd have gone to the emergency room the first day if I had clots and blood like you describe.

---

@CalminHeart ... My sister did tell me to go to the emergency room but l thought what are they going to do to stop the bleeding? I thought only the colonoscopy doctor could help me because l went to him for an exam and he told me l had a hemorrhoid. I must have bled some for me to make that appointment. Then a few weeks later is when l had the bad bleeding. He seemed confused as to why l bled so much. I took a picture of how it looked in the toilet and he was glad l took a picture. He scratched his head when l told him l threw up clear liquid several times! He scheduled the colonoscopy. No. He didn't refer me to anyone. He completely dropped the subject after he told me my procedure was fine. He said he didn't think the bleeding was from my colon after all. I was very groggy from the medicine they gave me so l didn't think of it then. 

l haven't had any bleeding since and this happened about 3 months ago. It has been on my mind a lot because l really thought there was something wrong. You know how you get the feeling something is wrong? 

[LTT1]

@EastCoastGal 

I'd definitely call the senior doctor.

'Why not? You don't have a PCP (let them know this) and you have nowhere to turn for your concerns with this.

When I had my last colonoscopy, I explained my concern after it about my abdominal feeling of twisting and in knots. My GI doctor said "I think we ought to do a CT scan, don't you?" [He was so nice]

It turned out there was nothing to be seen involving the intestine, HOWEVER, he pointed to my liver and told me "you have NAFL" [non alcoholic fatty liver disease].

So I feel I gained valuable information. Also, for the symptoms, he told me I need to eat higher fiber in my diet.

[EastCoastGal]

---

@50Mickey wrote:

Usually you are still a little out of it right after a colonoscopy from from the anesthesia. But did you ask the doctor what could have caused the bleeding? Did you receive a written report with findings and recommendations? If not you need to contact the office and ask for this.  

Not being a doctor but if the blood was bright red my guess would be hemorrhoids. But I would not ignore this. I can't imagine a doctor just blowing this off without an explanation or a recommendation for a followup appointment.   

---

@50Mickey ... I was out of it when the doctor came to see me. He said "Everything is fine and you didn't have any polyps this time and your hemorrhoid looks fine." I think l mentioned wasn't there any bleeding in my colon? He said... "No and l really didn't think there would be. Okay? So I'll see you in 5 years." He smiled and walked away. I was very happy with that news because I thought I had colon cancer! 

About a month later l received a report that my colonoscopy was normal or whatever term they use. Nothing was ever mentioned about the bleeding in that report or anywhere except he took notes about it when l went to see him about it. 

The blood was bright red and that was my first thought... I'm bleeding from the hemorrhoid. He said no that the hemorrhoid is small and l lost a lot of blood...especially having about 100 blood clots !!! So where the heck did all this come from??? 

[EastCoastGal]

@50Mickey  @LTT1  @on the bay  @CalminHeart 

I think l have all your nics correct who posted to me. 
l haven't even been to bed !!! 

There was something else that happened that l didn't do anything about yet. I bled one day from my ******. Is that word allowed? It wasn't much. Just a little blood in the toilet and my toilet paper was pink.

Since l stopped going to my other PCP my niece said to call her PCP that day. I didn't and l haven't... l have pretty bad depression and anxiety that l take medications for. I guess l just wanted to forget this was happening to me. First bleeding from the back...now the front!!

FYI... I'm 75.

l haven't had any blood work from a doctor in a few years. I've been given paperwork but never went. Haven't had a mammogram in at least three years either.

I'm a mess! 

Edited to add: A year ago l started breaking out in a rash all over my body...but this happened at night so l didn't have it during the day to show a doctor...so l took pictures to show an allergy doctor. I was tested and l was told l was allergic to grass, dust and dust mites. Second time l went to him he gave me paperwork to have my thyroid, etc checked to see if that was the cause because the rash happened out of the blue. Well... never had that bloodwork done and l go back to him December 1st.

l also have COPD mild or my allergist said it may be asthma and not COPD.

I also have a belly button hernia or whatever they call it so l have to watch that. Is that a possibility where the blood is coming from??? I just thought of that !!!!

[LTT1]

@EastCoastGal 

At our age things start to go wrong!

Your symptoms might be a side effect of any meds you are taking?

Could be supplements or aspirin ... or maybe even food.

The fact that this is happening in two places makes me think perhaps mucous membranes are too dry or having an autoimmune issue.

Don't immediately think cancer. In fact, I would GUESS that this being in both places might indicate NOT CANCER. 

Can you do one of those at home colon cancer tests for now?

[LTT1]

@EastCoastGal 

You might try looking up your depression Med online and see if that is a side effect?

Now is not the time in life to be putting this off. How about calling in? Perhaps even the PCP you were recommended would do a televisit to allay your fears?

Get a new PCP pronto!

(PS I am not a doctor!)