Gastrointestinal bleed?

[CountessDracula]

My mother has just been taken into hospital with a suspected GI bleed. She had bad diarrhoea and vomiting at the weekend and has been feeling lousy ever since, had a temp of 103 today and the dr came to see her and said he suspected this.

Anyone know what causes them or how serious? I can't go down (she lives 1.5 hrs away) as dd is v ill too and I don't think I can drag her all teh way down. My brother's gf is with her.

argh

oh dear - could it be a bleeding ulcer? If that is the case, although it can be nasty, it is normally very treatable.

Does she take any medication that's harsh on her tummy (for something like arthritis etc.)?

No she doesn't foxy, just something for an irregular heartbeat, not sure what.

If she had been necking the NSAIDs i wouldn't be surprised but she has never exhibited any ulcer like symptoms

i have Crohn's which produces bleeding ulcers in teh colon I wonder if she may have that...??

sorry to hear this. Sounds like she is now in the best place though. good GP. If it IS that, they will need to find out the cause of the bleed, then stop it. My H had an ulcer which was discovered when it started bleeding - not pleasant - but was put right when he was admitted to hospital (had to have a couple of cameras inserted (IYKWIM). Both my DSs have had gastro probs too (unlrelated) so I fully understand your concern/worry. I hope they can put her right v soon. Keep in touch.

I don't know if that's hereditary but I imagine it's worth you phoning brother's gf (or the doc at the hosp) and telling them you have that (just to cover all bases!)

There are so many things that could cause it (don't google it whatever you do because you'll give yourself nightmares) - I imagine once they've had a look inside they should be able to tell fairly quickly what's happened. Fingers crossed for her.

thanks naswm

I may pop down when dh gets back from work if they are keeping her in or in the morning if dd is feeling better.

Typically my dad and her best mate who both live in her village are away on holiday. I just feel awful tha tI am not there with her. Brother's gf is fab though and they adore each other so I hope she is feeling ok about it.

foxy I did call her and tell her to mention it. I don't think it would be that or she would still have the diarrhoea though. (fingers crossed)

let us know what happens

don't feel bad - nothing worse than taking a sick child in a hospital and it would be a nightmare for you.

hopefully she's just got a good and cautious GP who wants her checked out properly and quickly.

anymore news CD?

hi foxy I just called the hospital and she is being sent home so I guess she didn't have this bleeding thank goodness!

Thanks for your concern x

Only just saw this CD- there is a genetic component to inflammatory bowel disease so it might be worth mentioning. Unusual to develop it late in life though, I'd have thought. Hope she feels much better now

tamum my great aunt on my mother's side had crohns very mildly so I always assumed I got it from her.

Does this mean I can have dd screened for it? I dread her having it too, but if she was pre-disposed I guess I could try and do something dietary or??? god knows

is it worth knowing?

oh thank goodness for that!

think doctors are generally quite cautious with older people and funny tummy turns (because of things like bowel cancer etc.)

very good news! :D

CD, there isn't a straightforward genetic test because there isn't just one gene. There are a few that have been identified that are major players, but it's not precise enough to use as a test. I think just being aware is probably the best bet for now, but I can easily ask my colleague who is a world expert in this if you like?

tamum that would be great

Not sure what i could really do though if it did come back positive (were it identifiable)