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What Causes Blood In Stool While Having Hemorrhoids?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say I am not very supportive of that management strategy, at least with the information you provide. It is not common practice to start treatment with antiepileptics after only one seizure. That is because one seizure doesn't mean you will develop epilepsy, at least two seizures are needed for that. About 10% of people have one seizure in their life, but only a small portion of that develops epilepsy. So medication is not started after only one seizure (in particular one like Lamictal which dose is raised very gradually and several weeks are needed to reach a therapeutic dose) unless the tests show a clear cause which is though to be associated with a high risk of causing further seizures (such as a tumor or infection on MRI). If there is any such cause on the contrast MRI please let me know. Also an EEG is necessary to see the type of epileptic activity.
There can be many causes to seizures such as stroke, infection, inflammation, tumor, trauma, metabolic issues etc. So blood tests for infection, inflammation, metabolic changes are needed as well as the MRI and the EEG. A description of the seizure, the circumstances in which it happened as well as other possible prior conditions would also be useful.
As for the blood it shouldn't be related neither to the treatment nor to the MRI. It could be a coincidence given that you have suffered hemorrhoids in the past. Could be a completely unrelated bowel issue as well. At times it can also be in the setting of tumors or autoimmune inflammatory conditions which can affect both the bowels as the nervous system, but these are rare cases. So to create a complete picture the results of your tests are needed.
I remian at your disposal for further questions
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say I am not very supportive of that management strategy, at least with the information you provide. It is not common practice to start treatment with antiepileptics after only one seizure. That is because one seizure doesn't mean you will develop epilepsy, at least two seizures are needed for that. About 10% of people have one seizure in their life, but only a small portion of that develops epilepsy. So medication is not started after only one seizure (in particular one like Lamictal which dose is raised very gradually and several weeks are needed to reach a therapeutic dose) unless the tests show a clear cause which is though to be associated with a high risk of causing further seizures (such as a tumor or infection on MRI). If there is any such cause on the contrast MRI please let me know. Also an EEG is necessary to see the type of epileptic activity.
There can be many causes to seizures such as stroke, infection, inflammation, tumor, trauma, metabolic issues etc. So blood tests for infection, inflammation, metabolic changes are needed as well as the MRI and the EEG. A description of the seizure, the circumstances in which it happened as well as other possible prior conditions would also be useful.
As for the blood it shouldn't be related neither to the treatment nor to the MRI. It could be a coincidence given that you have suffered hemorrhoids in the past. Could be a completely unrelated bowel issue as well. At times it can also be in the setting of tumors or autoimmune inflammatory conditions which can affect both the bowels as the nervous system, but these are rare cases. So to create a complete picture the results of your tests are needed.
I remian at your disposal for further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thx for your answer. Am living with a lot of stress in life. CT test came out ok. MRI was this morning; they did a contrast one. EEG on Monday also blood tests. Supposed to have a sleep study, but not scheduled yet.
Am 59; in menopause age; do not sleep or eat well most of the time.
I worry a lot and know the blood is prob not a problem, but I did let the doctor know about it.
Supposed from what I hear, I need to be on medicine for 3 months; do not drive for 3 months; and maybe medicine longer.
Questions or thoughts you have would be great. Will write back re MRI, etc.
God bless you!
Am 59; in menopause age; do not sleep or eat well most of the time.
I worry a lot and know the blood is prob not a problem, but I did let the doctor know about it.
Supposed from what I hear, I need to be on medicine for 3 months; do not drive for 3 months; and maybe medicine longer.
Questions or thoughts you have would be great. Will write back re MRI, etc.
God bless you!
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
The fact that the CT was normal is reassuring. MRI will offer additional peace of mind.
From what you say if that was an isolated seizure my opinion remains the same, I wouldn't have started treatment. The normal CT, without a seizure causing finding such as a tumor reinforces that. Having such treatment for 3 months is not very sensible. Treatment with Lamictal is slowly increased, usual dosage is 100 mg/day which is reached after 6 weeks, so if it is really deemed necessary it is usually given for much longer.
Perhaps if the EEG shows marked epileptiform changes it might make more sense but you do not seem to have been told that. Perhaps if you have the report you can snap a photo and upload it here in the Reports section.
If you can I would gladly review it, the MRI report as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
The fact that the CT was normal is reassuring. MRI will offer additional peace of mind.
From what you say if that was an isolated seizure my opinion remains the same, I wouldn't have started treatment. The normal CT, without a seizure causing finding such as a tumor reinforces that. Having such treatment for 3 months is not very sensible. Treatment with Lamictal is slowly increased, usual dosage is 100 mg/day which is reached after 6 weeks, so if it is really deemed necessary it is usually given for much longer.
Perhaps if the EEG shows marked epileptiform changes it might make more sense but you do not seem to have been told that. Perhaps if you have the report you can snap a photo and upload it here in the Reports section.
If you can I would gladly review it, the MRI report as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Not sure re ct report; good thing to get. MRI report can send you tomorrow. Am sure if there is something serious, they will contact me today or tomorrow. Was told ct came out ok.
Supposedly I am at a peak of age where seizures can occur; which is why medication and contrast with MRI.
I do appreciate your thoughts and will send reports to you tomorrow. Will ask a relative who is also a dr as to why started on treatment.
Look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow! if you have anything else you need to know or are wondering about, feel free to write anytime.
Supposedly I am at a peak of age where seizures can occur; which is why medication and contrast with MRI.
I do appreciate your thoughts and will send reports to you tomorrow. Will ask a relative who is also a dr as to why started on treatment.
Look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow! if you have anything else you need to know or are wondering about, feel free to write anytime.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Actually I meant the EEG report more then the CT one, if you provide the MRI report the CT one is not necessary.
What I would like to know in addition is a description of the seizure, details such as symptoms you felt before losing consciousness, features (noticed from witnesses present at that moment) such as head turning, eye deviation, tongue biting, urinary incontinence, abnormal posture of the limbs or body, shaking of the limbs, urinary incontinence. Also duration of the seizure, possible triggers such as lack of sleep, consumption of alcohol or stimulants etc.
You can write them later if you want, when you get the MRI report, so that you do not waste your free follow-up questions.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Actually I meant the EEG report more then the CT one, if you provide the MRI report the CT one is not necessary.
What I would like to know in addition is a description of the seizure, details such as symptoms you felt before losing consciousness, features (noticed from witnesses present at that moment) such as head turning, eye deviation, tongue biting, urinary incontinence, abnormal posture of the limbs or body, shaking of the limbs, urinary incontinence. Also duration of the seizure, possible triggers such as lack of sleep, consumption of alcohol or stimulants etc.
You can write them later if you want, when you get the MRI report, so that you do not waste your free follow-up questions.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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