Re: Anemia - Stomach or Colon

Posted By Nancy on June 23, 1999 at 14:53:04
I am a 53 yr old (pre-menopausal) female.  I had an endoscope last year  and the diagnosis was gastritis. The doctor said it had been there  awhile. Testing for hy-pylori, ulcers, reflux were negative.  He  prescribed prevacid which I took for a few months.  It came back with a  vengeance this past April.  Went back to the internist and he told me  it sounded like seasonal gastritis, to go back on the prevacid and to  take it twice a day for the month of May.  It seemed to work as I I  only have a slight burning when I wake up in the morning and sometimes  if I drink wine.  I am still taking the prevacid.
As a separate issue, in May, I participated in my company's wellness  testing.  My tests showed hemoglobin is 11.5; hematocrit is 35.6;  potassium is 5.5.  These are all out of the reference range, the blood  is low, the potassium is slightly elevated.  My other tests, WBC, RBC,  Liver, cholesterol are all within normal range.  Over the years, my  blood has always been on the low side of normal and it's been low  (below normal range) three times within the past five years.  Iron  supplements seem to bring it up.
The other symptoms I've been experiencing are frequent bowel movements,  just about every time I eat.  There is pressure and soreness in my  rectal area, particularly when I sit and the left buttock tends to  become numb.  The stools are normal although slightly dark due to the  iron supplements I've been taking.  I have some burning around the  opening of the rectum.  I've taken three colo care home tests and the  results were negative.  I've noticed some light mucus dripping when I  have a bowel movement that I believe is coming from the rectum but I  can't be sure - there is no heavy mucus, just a light watery white drip  (if that makes sense).  I also have this on and off again dull pain,  not sharp and not annoying, on the right side in the same line as my  belly button.
  My friend suggested I have a colonoscopy as I may have a right sided  tumor on my colon which may be causing bleeding and the pressure I'm  feeling may be an indication of cancer.  Of course, I am now very  anxious and don't want to jump to conclusions.   Do my symptoms point to this?  Can it be something else, maybe the  gastritis causing the bleeding?  Would I see this in my stools?   I would appreciate any input or suggestions on what I should do.  

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

Posted By HFHSM.D.-Gastro-RF on July 17, 1999 at 22:23:19
Dear Nancy,
The presence of anemia and blood in th estool necessitates an investigation for colonic mucosal abnormalities such as polyps or cancer.  Fortunately, these conditions are usually not found. In your case, the negative stool guaiac studies are reassuring.  Your other symptoms, however, should be checked out by yopur doctor.
I suggest that you meet with your doctor to discuss whther additional testing is needed.
This information is presented for educational putrposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHS_Gastro-MD-RF










Follow Ups: