Bleeding with IBS
Hi everyone. I’m new to this group. But I’m desperate now.
I have had IBS for 10 years now, with the last 3 years becoming progressively worsened symptoms.
December 2020 I had stomach pains, diarrhoea and began bleeding a lot from behind. I went to my GP. She examined me- no piles etc, so she sent me to the hospital. They gave me a colonoscopy. This showed a small section of the end of the colon having ulcers and inflammation. The consultant doing the procedure thought it looked like Crohn’s. And referred me. He also took biopsies.
The biopsies came back negative. So why the ulcers? So I was referred back to the consultant as my GP wasn’t happy just to leave it like that. Been on the waiting list since.
Fast forward to October 2021... the worst flare up of my life. I was in absolute agony! Shaking. Vomitting. Sweating. A&E took me straight in and put me on morphine. I was loosing even more blood than before. They put me on antibiotic drip and gave me a CT scan.. all this showed was- inflammation in my colon. So the doctor said he was going to write to the consultant to speed things up.
Just had my colonoscopy Monday - even when on emergency list- and my colonoscopy was normal this time!?
Now I’m having the worst flare up again! I haven’t been able to keep even water down. I’m tired, weak, constant bowel movements. Just don’t know what to do anymore.
Does anyone else have all this with IBS? When I lose the blood the pains are the worst! I bleed approximately 5 times a year with it.
Doesn’t seem a lot but it goes on for approx 4/5 days each time.
If anyone has the same symptoms please reply.
X thanks; leanne
Thank you for sharing your story and reaching out. You are not alone here riding the roller coaster of IBS and just wanting to get off and find relief from these symptoms. IBS symptoms can vary so much person to person, which can make it extra difficult to predict and treat. I'd encourage you to speak with your doctor about any new, changing or concerning symptoms, if you haven't already. Especially seek help if you aren't able to stay hydrated. Sometimes a colonoscopy itself can cause a flare as the prep can be harsh. Have you ever made any correlation to your flares? Such as certain foods, increased stress, change in your routine? Something that could be a link. In addition to speaking with your doctor, this article from one of our contributors may be helpful to you: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/mixed-flare. Be persistent in seeking help and treatment. Wishing you some answers and relief very soon. Best, Kelly, Irritablebowelsyndrome.net Team Member
Hello, I am having an IBS-D for the last 7 weeks. Is it possible to have a flare this long?
I am also having blood in my stool or the toilet after I have gone 4 to 5 times in a relatively short time.
I am scheduled for a colonoscopy in 10 days.
I have suffered my IBS for almost 30 years. I have now googled some things and am very upset because a lot of the symptoms for IBS are the same for colon/rectal cancer. Needless to say, my anxiety is off the charts.
Though this is my longest flare yet. I have increased fiber and started iron pill for mildly low an'emia.
Any words of advice?
ChristaApologies for the delayed reply. Thank you for commenting and reaching out. Sad to say, but yes flares can last for extended periods. They often end as quickly as they started. I'd encourage you to speak with your doctor about any new, changing or concerning symptoms, if you haven't already. In addition to that, I'd encourage you to try and reduce your stress as best you can while you wait on your appointment. This article on IBS-D may be helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/urgency. Also, this article may be helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/ibd-signs. Wishing you some answers and relief ahead. Please keep us posted on how you're doing if you'd like. Best, Kelly, Irritablebowelsyndrome.net Team Member
Hi Christa, I don't know if increasing fibre is going to help much with the diarrhea. I know we are told all over the place to 'eat more fibre', and it's even recommended for the 'D'.
But oh no, that would not work for me. Fibre over stimulates my bowel. Definitely!
I wonder (unless this is overflow diarrhea from chronic constipation?) if you tried to eat simple gentle low fibre foods for a few days if it might help actually?
Some people get issues with resistant starch, so pass if you do, but something like white basmati rice, or plain boiled potatoes with a little salt only added might help. Peel the skins off the potatoes.
Eggs, chicken breast or white fish like cod, haddock, etc -not an oily fish - and cooked plain in a little water, or wrapped in tinfoil in the oven. Just a little salt added. No seasonings or spices. Those proteins work for me generally, and I have hard boiled eggs in a flare.
White bread toast. Do yourself a favour and find the tastiest artisan white bread if possible. But some of the supermarket ones aren't so bad. I have to avoid sourdough because it gets my gut a bit, but if you like that go for it.
Veggies....something like carrots, green beans, spinach, or peeled cucumber maybe. Those all suit me in flares. I don't know if they will suit you. Asparagus is also a low fibre veg and that suits me, but I actually peel the tougher ends. All veg, steamed at least 'al dente'. A little softer is gentler on the tummy. Don't waste any veg water left after steaming. Drink it.If I crave something sweet (yes that has been known for me, even in some flares when I can get massively hungry!) then some really plain sponge cake helps. Home made is best because you have control over the ingredients.
There's decent nutrition in that lot, and low fibre which might help calm your gut a bit?
Then there's the BRAT diet (applesauce, toast, bananas, rice.)
