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Heavier rectal bleeding during period?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/14/2008 11:39 AM (GMT -5)
Sorry for all the posts. I really feel in a downward spiral right now. I have had bad problems with nausea my past two periods while taking Canasa and Lialda, so this period I'm taking no mesalamine and wouldn't you know it, I feel much better. BUT my UC symptoms (blood, mucous, # BMs) seem to just keep getting worse while on Proctofoam. My next step is to try Rowasa enemas along with an anti-nausea medicine if needed, but I am dreading the thought of feeling so sick again, potentially losing even more weight, and not knowing whether they'll even get me to remission.

Anyway, my question is: I have been having a fair amount of rectal bleeding in the past 24 hours. It's enough to make me even more anxious. Do any of you experience more rectal bleeding while you're having your period?

Thanks for humoring my request for yet more information --
emory
Posted 9/14/2008 11:52 AM (GMT -5)
No worries about asking too many questions. When I was having periods, I could guarantee that I would bleed heavily from my Uc too. I was in a vicious cycle of hormonal flares that I opted to have an endo ablation. Well also too because my periods were excruciatingly painful. Usually I would up or start rectal meds a week before my period until about a couple days after per my GI's instructions. But that is when I was using Rowasa. Since I could not longer tolerate mesalamines, I couldn't keep doing that with steroid enemas so that I why I chose to have the ablation. Just curious - have you ever tried Colazal? It seems you may have an intolerance to mesalamines. I do too but I found that Colazal doesn't seem to bother me.
Posted 9/14/2008 12:06 PM (GMT -5)

Sure happy I don't have periods to deal with also. 

As for Red_34 comments about Colazal - probably worth a try.  You know that I could not tolerate it.  Doctor had given it to me because he thought it would be better than Asacol or similar melasamine. However, apparently I am sensitive to ALL 5ASA medications - helped for a while and started causing side effects I could not tolerate.  I tried!

ElaineNY

Posted 9/14/2008 12:12 PM (GMT -5)
No, haven't tried Colazal, but it's on the list. It's still not entirely clear whether or not mesalamine is giving me side effects, so Rowasa is next on the list (since my proctitis is just the distal 3-5 cm, or at least I hope it still is!).

You've reassured me about the bleeding. Thank you. Other than headaches, my periods have never been very painful, and in fact, they're pretty light -- making the rectal bleeding seem that much weirder.

It sounds like you built up an intolerance to mesalamine with time. What were your symptoms?

Thanks, Sherry!
emory
Posted 9/14/2008 12:16 PM (GMT -5)

My symptoms from Colazal and Rowasa increased like every day until Ihad to quit..

Nausea, sweating (with chills) at night, headaches, dizzy (woozy feeling), aching - much like the flu!

ElaineNY

Posted 9/14/2008 1:07 PM (GMT -5)
yup, me too with the periods.... I can almost pinpoint when my period is coming based on my UC symptoms. The week before I get it, I bleed more, have more frequent & looser stools. When I do get it, the bleeding lessens, the frequency lessens.... It's a pain. I think most every female on here experiences more symptoms during that time of the month, or just prior to getting their period. The worst is menstrual cramps with bad UC symptoms.... someone save me! shocked
Posted 9/14/2008 2:47 PM (GMT -5)
My intolerance to mesalamines are a flu like feeling, severe abdominal cramping/pain, increase D and bleeding.
Posted 9/14/2008 3:21 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks, helps to know that --
Posted 11/24/2008 9:40 AM (GMT -5)
I have recently learned that my sister, in Australia, has this same problem.   She, too, has started down the long path of doctors, specialists, colonoscopy, etc.   So far all of this has excluded cancer and endometriosis but not found anything else.   However, just last week she was talking to a doctor at the hospital where Mum was operated on for bowel cancer and she asked him about her own problem.   His answer sounds very logical so we would like to share it with all you women who are in the same boat.   The doctor explained that my sister no doubt has some extremely tiny hemorrhoids which normally do not bleed or give her any trouble.   However, just before her menstrual period begins, the changes in hormone levels cause the veins in the colon to swell enormously.   Since my sister suffers from constipation the result is bleeding from these hemorrhoids.   Once her period is over, the hemorrhoids return to their normal size and the bleeding stops – until the following month.   For the past few months, to help her constipation and irritable bowel, she has been taking psyllium husks.   The result is that the stools are much softer.   An additional, unexpected result has been the absence of rectal bleeding during her period!   So the doctor’s explanation certainly seems to make sense.   My sister asked me to share her experience hoping it may be of help to some of you.
Posted 11/24/2008 10:06 AM (GMT -5)
I definitely have heavier UC bleeding and symptoms during my period. Also, when in remission, I often feel shakiest stomachwise and am nervous that I might start flaring again. Anyway, you are definitely not the only one who notices this. I hope you are feeling better soon!
Posted 11/24/2008 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
Hopethiswillhelp, thanks for sharing what your sister learned. It's always helpful to hear a logical explanation for what could be happening! And perach, thank you for the reassurance as well. By coincidence, I've been using psyllium husks (smooth texture Metamucil) for two months now, and I haven't had rectal bleeding during my period, a big relief!
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