How much bleeding is too much?

In my humble opinion your blood loss should be measured in too ways.  One is from a subjective point of view, meaning how do you feel?  Do feel tired, are you having heart racing, etc...? The second way is to having your blood loss measured objectively with a Complete Blood Panel which will give you very clear answers as to how your blood loss is really effecting your body.  It will give you measurements of your RBCs, Hg (heamoglobin), platelets, MCH, MCHC which will really give you an accurate idea of how your body is reacting to this chronic loss.  There can come a point where one will need a blood transfusion to keep up. 

In the end if it effects you in any way objectively or subjectively the blood loss is too much.  It means your UC is not being handled properly and different care needs to be done.

Hope this helps.

MyUC

Actually, I liked C_G_K's suggestion - enemas rather than suppositories might help more!

Heptacampeâo,

Few of us here are physicians, so we can't give you a definitive answer. All I know is that during my first flare, I was suffering from pan-colitis (entire colon involved) and I was passing bloody mucous 15-20 times a day for months before I was properly diagnosed and I didn't end up needing a blood transfusiion, although it was close according to my docs. Can you quantify the amount of blood you are passing? A few tablespoons? More? It's hard to get a picture from "a few squirts".

I'll be curious to see if you're able to quantify the amount of blood. That seems like it would be a difficult thing to do. :(

I'm with RJD about the ER ...if you're really concerned, it might be the best idea. Better safe than sorry, right?

I wonder if you went in, if they could get you some Rowasa enemas to help?

I just joined this forum but I have been suffering from UC plus a case of c. diff for the past 5 months and I can tell you that there really is nothing scarier than going to the bathroom and seeing that your whole toilet bowl is filled with bright red blood. So much so that you can't even see down to the bottom of the toilet. I had that happen quite a few times, the last time being a month ago, and I immediately called a nurse hotline as my GI office was closed. The nurse told me that if I already had a GI my best bet was to call them the next day and that's what I did. My GI started me on Prednisone which I was reluctant to take at first because of the known side effects. However, the bleeding dissipated after about 4 or 5 days after starting it. I was put on 60 mg a day to start and then was put on a taper down schedule. If you are already on Prednisone then I would talk with your GI about increasing the dose (as sucky as that is) because steroids have proven to be very effective with bleeding/inflammation. This is, of course, my personal recommendation for you and it is absolutely necessary that you discuss the heavy bleeding with your GI and they will be able to guide you on a better treatment plan. Good luck!

Thank you all for your replies; I was much better yesterday, almost no bleeding, and I called by GI today. Couldn't get a hold of him but his nurse got my symptoms and will call me back. I asked her about increasing the pred intake and we will see what happens. Thank you again; I'm fairly new to UC and I guess the beginning is always scary for everyone, but thanks for your experience and support!

Hi Hept:
I'm pretty new to UC and to prednisone as well (just started it 10 days ago, tried to taper from 30 mg to 25 but am going back up tomorrow). I've found it helpful to have it in the morning, as it causes insomnia. Also, be aware of mood swings, and warn your loved ones so they can be understanding.

Reading about your blood, I was reminded that when I first started testing for my condition, what actually got me to see a doctor was the amount of blood I was having. This turned out to be caused by hemorrhoids, which were bleeding profusely because of the frequent bm's. Could this be the cause of so much blood?

Best of luck!

RJD said...
Frankly if you are concerned I would go to the ER and let them at least check your blood levels. I would also ask your Dr about the hydro cort enema's...This thing may have spread alittle or other things could also be going on. You got nothing to loose with a trip to the ER..

Rod

Please do not use the ER just to get blood tests. That kind of behavior drives up health care costs for everyone.

I agree that your prednisone dose is probably too low.

Honestly I just don't get the logic of dropping the prednisone dose before getting into remission. Once you get into remission, then you can taper rapidly down to about 20 or so, then continue more slowly from there.

If prednisone can't get you into remission, then you might as well find out up front without p_ussy footing around with the dosage. The side effects of pred are bad, but most occur with long term use.