Bowel problems. GP or hospital (TMI)

[TestingTesting2020]

I normally hate these posts and I shout at the screen CALL A GP but my anxiety is high and with Covid I don't want to waste anyone's time.

I have had issues with stomach pain and diarrhea for a few months now. It seems really sensetive to anything I eat or drink.

I've come home today and had a really bad episode but also a lot of blood and clots. To the point where I thought it could be my period but it's definitely coming from my rectum and not my vagina.

When I've finished on the toilet, it's not constantly bleeding but the clots have concerned me.

Can you get clots with piles? If so, I'll wait for the GP. If not then I'll call 111.

I think you should call 111

I have a lot of bowel issues (IBS, liver disease and gall bladder problems) but ive never had bleeding so bad there were clots. Ive had piles bleed before but again there werent any clots and it wasnt excessive.

Call 111, or out of hours GP if your practice has one.

You definitely need to see someone asap, if you don't want to call 111 then please call your GP first thing tomorrow and tell them you need an emergency appointment. If the bleeding doesn't stop soon I would definitely call 111.

I'm so annoyed at myself. I called 111 but they started asking about aortic annuyrism and chest pains. I said I had a suspected one 10 years ago but nothing was found. I actually meant a Pulmonary Embolism and they asked about chest pains which I said I had because I'm anxious about the blood so of course the whole call was about my chest rather than the blood!

I've got a nurse calling me soon so hopefully I can explain my stupidity and I can talk about the actual issue.

I would definitely try and get seen. I wouldn’t worry about the nurse , I would also be anxious with what you’re describing!

My friend got pretty bad bleeding with colitis, so it could be that. Could you are talking to someone and I hope they can help.

Keep us updated OP. My mum had this about 6 years ago when I was still living at home and we called 111 and they sent a paramedic . She passed clots etc and it turned out she had internal piles and polyps which had caused it. It was so awful . Take care hopefully it’s nothing x

I would say UC or Crohns.

You’ll need a colonoscopy to diagnose. It took months (years really) to diagnose mine. Keep pushing for help! It will probably be GP for referral.

write down a few bullet points so you have something to refer to. Having spoke to 111 before, it can follow a script, but that's mostly the call handlers who aren't necessarily medically trained (although some are).

Maybe something like, 'The reason I called initially was....."

GP can refer you to gastroenterology, you'll need a colonoscopy to find the cause of bleeding.
If bleeding doesn't settle, you may need to go to A&E, and you'll be referred to gastro and may even have the colonoscopy as an inpatient.
Try not to worry about covid.
Most hospitals are getting less infections now, and they will keep you away from covid areas.

The nurse called back and she's booked me a telephone consultation with my GP.
She didn't seem too alarmed so I feel a bit silly!

Hi...
You say you had a PE? Are you still on treatment for this?
I think it’s really important that you get seen, as GI bleeding can be extremely serious.
Do you feel short of breath or anything?

I had this but I already knew I had internal piles. Eventually it started bleeding all the time and I ended up needing a haemorrhoidectomy. But yes there were clots and mine was definitely only piles because the specialist had a right good rummage around

It was a suspected pe. I had markers in my blood but after 5 days in hospital on heperin injections they scanned me and didn't find anything. The nurse said it could have been the heperin working or it could have not been one but I never got to find out.
I'm not feeling breathless now. That feeling was horrendous. I could bearly walk to the reception desk of A&E!

Lesley - thats reassuring to know. Hopefully it's just that.

Ah ok...
my concern was if u were on blood thinners and had a ‘leak’ which can obviously be catastrophic (the nurse in me worrying)
Really important to note tho, any shortness of breath, fainting, anything like that u either call 999 or go to a&e. You may have an underlying IBD which can be managed well with meds and or surgery.
Good luck ❤️

Thank you 😊 I've relaxed a little now thanks to you all.