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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
ulcerative colitis- consistent bleeding for 1 yr
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
ulcerative colitis- consistent bleeding for 1 yr
by gradstudent24, Apr 11, 2007 12:00AM
I assume since there is no patient-physician relationship here it's ok for me to write on behalf of my husband. I have his permission- he is just busy.
About one year ago my husband (25 yrs old) started having significant bleeding with bowel movements. He had a partial colonoscopy where his dr discovered inflammation of the colon, but not into the intestine. He was taking hemorrhoidal suppositories, which did not help, and now he has been taking melamine enemas for the past few months. He is not entirely consistent with his doses. He has not tried any other meds or treatments. His bleeding has not stopped or gotten significantly better, although- perhaps there is some abatement with the enemas.
His cousin has been recently hospitalized for ulcerative colitis.
My husband has no ulcerative colitis symptoms other than the bleeding.
A few questions: 1. Is it normal for bleeding to occur for this long in ulcerative colitis pts without significant improvement?
2. Should he switch to a different medicine?
3. We have been thinking of mailing in this stool and saliva test where they check for parasites; it is expensive and not allowed in many states- so it's not covered by insurance. Is this sort of test legitimate?
4. Would further testing be a good idea?
5. Could this be something other than UC?
Thanks!
About one year ago my husband (25 yrs old) started having significant bleeding with bowel movements. He had a partial colonoscopy where his dr discovered inflammation of the colon, but not into the intestine. He was taking hemorrhoidal suppositories, which did not help, and now he has been taking melamine enemas for the past few months. He is not entirely consistent with his doses. He has not tried any other meds or treatments. His bleeding has not stopped or gotten significantly better, although- perhaps there is some abatement with the enemas.
His cousin has been recently hospitalized for ulcerative colitis.
My husband has no ulcerative colitis symptoms other than the bleeding.
A few questions: 1. Is it normal for bleeding to occur for this long in ulcerative colitis pts without significant improvement?
2. Should he switch to a different medicine?
3. We have been thinking of mailing in this stool and saliva test where they check for parasites; it is expensive and not allowed in many states- so it's not covered by insurance. Is this sort of test legitimate?
4. Would further testing be a good idea?
5. Could this be something other than UC?
Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
To answer your questions:
1) If the ulcerative colitis is not appropriately treated, continued bleeding can occur.
2) The next step in treatment would be steroids or immunomodulator therapy (i.e. azathioprine or 5-MP).
3) Testing the stool for ova and parasites is a routine test and should be covered by all labs.
4) The colonoscopy is the best test. If the initial one was incomplete, you can consider repeating it.
5) Difficult to say without evaluation. A polyp, cancer, diverticulosis or hemorrhoids can all cause bleeding. A complete colonoscopy would shed more light on the cause.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
1) If the ulcerative colitis is not appropriately treated, continued bleeding can occur.
2) The next step in treatment would be steroids or immunomodulator therapy (i.e. azathioprine or 5-MP).
3) Testing the stool for ova and parasites is a routine test and should be covered by all labs.
4) The colonoscopy is the best test. If the initial one was incomplete, you can consider repeating it.
5) Difficult to say without evaluation. A polyp, cancer, diverticulosis or hemorrhoids can all cause bleeding. A complete colonoscopy would shed more light on the cause.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
