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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea And IBS

Posted on Wed, 26 Jul 2017

Question: From time to time I have trouble with IBS. Usually a heating pad and pain medication helps me thru it. I had an attack yesterday which extended into today, but last night around midnight I noticed that on one trip to the bathroom I was wiping a bloody discharge instead of loose stool. This happened repeatedly for the next several hours. It was bright red and was rather thick like mucus, but I wouldn't say there was a lot of it... just enough to be alarmed. I don't think there is any urgency to go to the emergency room at this time, but told my husband I would ask you what this might be. Tell me also if you think I should go to the emergency room. It's a weekend and I would rather not.
Also, I probably should mention that I had a Colonostomy a couple of months ago and a polyp was removed.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
NO, need for emergency ER trip now!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

I have reviewed your information fully. Because the bleeding has stopped and there are no symptoms related to excessive blood loss, there is no need to go to the ER.

With a colonoscopy a few months back that had no other concerning issues, it is unlikely that a removed polyp or any other pathology is the cause of this.

At this time, monitoring is all I recommend. If symptoms recur, then a visit would be advised. However, signal this to your doctor when you go in for a routine visit for review.

I hope this guides and helps. I wish you well.
Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (17 hours later)

I shouldn't have said the bleeding had stopped. Instead of blood only there is blood in the stool. After eating dinner yesterday my lower abdomen hurt so bad I couldn't clean up the kitchen. Instead I went to bed with a heating pad and a pain pill. The rest of the night there was only minor discomfort, but it was bad enough for me to remove any elastic around my waist. The elastic wasn't tight but it was also causing discomfort.
I'm having a Chemical Stress Test for my heart in a few days. Should I go ahead with it? I do plan to tell my Cardiologist and Gastroenterologist about what has been going on this weekend, but as much as I don't want to do the stress test I want to get it over with.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, go ahead with the chemical stress test!

Detailed Answer:
HI,

This in no way impacts on the ability to do your test. Like you have rightly mentioned, inform your doctor about this as it will offer another opportunity for evaluation and treatment.

I wish you well.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T