Bloody diarrhoea with IBS? Anyone?

[l4k]

Does anyone else diagnosed with IBS have bloody diarrhoea ? I have painful cramps, yucky mucous(sorry) and occationally some red, pink or maroon blood . Today I had enough to colour the water , more than ever before.
Gp referred me back in the spring to colorectal man, I went for a sigmoidoscopy ( flexible) and all came back clear. Went back to gp last week and she just said I have food sensitivities and IBS. And the bad pain was probably my adhesions Should I bother worrying or accept what I've been told?
Sorry it's long. I just want it all to go away.
Tia

[EdMcDunnough]

No, it is not part of IBS to have bleeding.

You need to see someone different or if you have to, go back to her again, ask to be tested for infection, which can cause these symptoms.

It could also be cause by inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohns and so on - though I think something would have shown up on the sig if you had either of those.

Do you have a history of antibiotic use - I mean, anything particular before all this kicked off? Or more recently?

Also do you work in a hospital or an Old people's home, etc. as these places are obviously more likely to expose you to infections.

[l4k]

Thanks edMcD, I had loads of antibiotics both orally and via IV when I had an infected hematoma after a hysterectomy but that was before christmas last year, not recently.
I don't know what to think.

[SirGOLDBoobs]

I have IBS linked with my PCOS and ME / CFS. Have ocassionally had blood, variable levels like you describe. Doctors have never made a big deal of it, and kind of told me to stop making a fuss, frankly!

[SirGOLDBoobs]

Sorry just realised how that could sound - I'm not telling you that yoi're making a fuss, just repeating what I was told. Sorry!

[Princesslovelyboo]

Hiya, I have crohns disease and when I get bloody stools it is a sign of a fissure, I tear in the bowel, it is worth seeing a Dr about it.

[Trazzletoes]

Go and get checked out again.

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

Me! Only think that's worked is fybogel medeverine. I can't take it now as pg.

I poo multiple times a day when it's bad.

Dr said to me can you just not go!

[SoggySummer]

I am an IBS sufferer. I have had blood before but its not a normal part of my IBS symptoms.

I think you should go back to the Dr and if you feel the Dr you have been seeing until recently has been a bit dismissive try another one at your surgery. Bleeding is not normal and as far as I am aware its not a normal part of IBS. Its probably nothing serious but it does need to be checked out imo.

Its horrid when you have a bad phase and have to keep going back to the Dr. I know I have felt a pain in the arse (excuse the pun) and have even had a Dr just sit there and look at me blankly and say - and what do you think I can do for you???

My symptoms have improved alot (but I am never going to be "normal") with the daily used of movicol. I have 2 sachets most days (sometimes only 1) and have been on it for over 2 years now. My attacks are alot less now and my IBS is the best its been in 20 years. I know we are all different and have different triggers to our IBS etc but thought I would share. It may or may be not something you want to ask about trying once you get to the bottm of the bleeding issue.

[Princesslovelyboo]

Pickles what a stupid thing for the Dr to say. Last time I had bad fissure's I was given a cream for them, can't remember the name of it, but I got headaches from it. I put the cream on my bum where it was absorbed and narrowed the blood vessels so the fissure had chance to heal, but it traveled up from my bum to my head and narrowed them too and gave me the headaches

[Yourefired]

I have IBS and have twice had bloody stools. I was refered for a sigmoidoscopy which came back clear and a variety of blood tests alongside. Consultant said that bloody stools can happen occasionally and not necessarily the sign of a problem. After tests was put down as just one of those things. But I was very glad they did all the tests. I had a good GP.

My IBS is now much better managed, mainly through nutrition, and no repeat of blood for two years. Yes also to the mucous. In retrospect I think it coincided with a period of family stress and me getting run down physically. Rest is really important in controlling it also, and I have found that florodex iron supplement helps also.

Can you make an appointment with another GP in the same practice for a second opinion? Sorry you're going through this, it's horrible.

[EdMcDunnough]

Okay, well it all depends when it started happening and so on - but the fact you have had a lot of antibiotics fairly recently, might mean that you have a clostridium infection.

This is more common in the elderly but people our age can get it too.

It's notoriously hard to pick up from samples so you'll need to do three - they can all be from one day, or whatever - and the pot needs to be refrigerated till it's tested so if you can persuade the Dr to test for this, (and they might not as you're not a typical patient in an old people's home!) then you should keep it wrapped up well and keep it cool till it reaches the lab. I used to take them in myself and tell the people at pathology to refrigerate them.

I'm just telling you all this now, so that if you do get tested for it, you've the best chance of an accurate diagnosis and can get on with getting better.

It might well NOT be this, though - I hope it isn't - but it is definitely worth getting checked out again, because unless it's just a small fissure that's bleeding, which it doesn't sound like, then the blood is coming from somewhere and that warrants proper investigation. Especially as you're having some pain and so on as well.

Good luck and do see someone asap.

[narmada]

You mention adhesions . Do you have endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease?

[l4k]

Thank you all, it is reassuring that some of you have had blood and it's not turned our to be anything more serious.
Narmada , I don't think I've had either. I've had an abdo op as a baby and 2 c sections and vaginal hyster with pelvic floor repairs which have caused things to adhere to each other.
Ed, would it be better to see a gastro consultant? I could do it privately I think ( insurance )
Yourefired , did anyone help you sort the nutritional aspect? I eat gluten free at the mo (for over a year now)which helps but not solves the problem.
Thanks for replies.

[hungryallthetime]

I had been diagnosed with IBS but every so often would get symptoms similar to yours. I kept getting referred to the hospital and by the time the appointments came through and I had tests the symptoms would've gone and all the tests came back normal.

Finally I saw a consultant who said she only wanted to do the tests when the symptoms were present, gave me the specialist nurse number, and so when I had a sigmoidoscopy (I'd previously had 2 of these and other tests) I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I've been taking medication for 2 years and have been so much better- obviously was never IBS!

[l4k]

That is what worries me, I have felt fine when I've had the tests. Do you see a gastroentlogist ? I just want to get to the bottom of it and sort it out, I've deffinately lost my sense of humour with the subject. No one wants to hear about it when you crap yourself. I've got a lovely dh, but he really doesn't want to know.

[EdMcDunnough]

Yes, if you can, then see a consultant. I got very friendly with a consultant microbiologist but then we knew what it was by then.

I don't think IBS should ever really be left, unless it is really mild...there is always a cause, it's only a name for a group of symptoms, it doesn't tell you why you are getting them. Causes can be stress and so on but if it is this severe, then I think there's likely to be something else going on.

All the best, post again if you want any advice - loads of people with all sorts here.

[Yourefired]

Lots of advice from local health food shop (not chain) owner and trial and error. These things worked for me: cutting back on wheat, nut free, minimal red meat, no cereal. Lots of water, peppermint tea, good probiotic, increase fruit and veg. I also give my system a break occasionally when i can feel it getting spasmy by switching to soups (not tinned). GP did blood test for gluten intolerance but was negative. Hope you get a good night's sleep.

[l4k]

Thank you both, I feel a lot better today.
I think I have to stop putting it off and get a referral to see a gastroentlogist , privately if necessary .
This has been happening on and off for over a year now.
Thanks again everyone.

[EdMcDunnough]

That could point to the antibiotics perhaps - I don't know, but it's worth investigating.

Best of luck x

[l4k]

Just to update, I've had the (TMI) bloody stools thing twice more with lots of gurgling in my belly and bad, smelly wind , so I have just rung my GP's secretary and asked for a private referal to a gastroenterologist at the local hospital.Still in a bit of pain too,and feel pretty knackered but that's not so unusual for me.
So, it might be a waste of time and money but I'll see what he thinks.
thanks for following this far!

[l4k]

Been doing some research and I'm going to ask the consultant about the fodmap diet , as recommended by addenbrookes and kings college hospitals. Has anyone got any experiences with this?
I don't think it's supposed to address bleeding but I'm pretty desperate.

[hungryallthetime]

I've never heard of it, I would think you need to wait and see if your consultant actually thinks that your symptoms are IBS. If it's not then medication will work to stop the bleeding. Hope you get some answers when you get to see the consultant.

[tabbycat15]

I hope the appt goes well & they can diagnose you. The bleeding doesn't sound right & needs to be checked.

[l4k]

Thanks both, didn't see the replys.
I saw a gastroentlogist today.
I'm having an endoscopy with boipsys and a MRE (enterography ) a sort of MRI that looks at all the intestines. I think he wants to rule out crohns and celiac before looking at ibs and food intolerances
He actually mentioned the FODMAP diet to me so I was impressed.
But that's if the tests are all clear.
I have been in bad pain now since thurs evening . I really want. To feel better.

[tabbycat15]

I hope the tests can find out what's wrong for you. Let us know how you get on.