Constant pain!

[Sweetness1]

I have had bright red blood on the stool and of course when I wipe for atleast a year now accompanied by abdominal pain and bloating radiating to the back...Sometimes it's so bad that I cannot stand too long...  The pain lets up if I press on my stomach, but when stopped it just starts hurting again...The bloating..looks like I'm pregnant. It's mainly all the time, but is sometimes worse after eating.  I do have a 16 month old son and thought maybe the blood is from a hemorroid but the pain and bloating is puzzling me...
I have been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 10 years ago but my gastroenterologist does not think it's that so he said it was IBS... My medical doctor had a CT scan done on my abdominal region and a Gastric Emptying scan, and and Upper GI, Ultrasound on the pancreas area, and out of all those tests they found a small Hiatel Hernia.  These tests were performed a while ago..maybe 10 months ago or so...
This pain and blood in the stool is really scaring me!   I am going back to my gastroenterologist Feb 29th but I will no longer have insurance after that appointment so no tests can be done.  So if you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!
I have been on Amoxicillan for atleast 7 months for cystic acne, I take Vitamins, I have changed my diet....Before Amoxicillan I was taking Bactrim, that was for 2 months.  I am not on any meds for IBS, or UC which the last Colonoscopy (6 yrs ago) indicated that the colon had healed and I was,persay,in "remission" ...  
I thank You Very Much in advance!  

[gem4]

ive got ibs too, i frist found out i had it when i was carrying my son the pain i get sounds just as bad as yours. ive also been having blood in my stools at the moment im waiting for a scan to see whats causeing it. the doctor says ive got nothing to worry about but i cant get bowel cancer out of my head im so scared. but like you i havent long had a baby so the doctors say its most likely piles, when i looked it up on the net it told me to eat better dont take pain killers and try not to hold it in when you need to go. so far its seemed to work they hasnt been no more blood. has for the ibs i got told that it can flare up if you eat to much sweets and chocolate stuff like that, or if you eat to much fruit or veg. and when you find which one flares it up it will soon carm it down. mine was eatting to much fruit and veg and getting to stressed.

[reflect8ion]

I believe antibiotics caused my UC. I was on them about 10 years ago for two years. Antibiotics destroy fecal flora. You shouldn't be taking them for acne.

You need to see a doctor ASAP. I too didn't have insurance. I was bleeding 1 1/2 to 2 cups of blood a day for three months before I went to see a doctor. My doctor did a Sigmoidoscopy instead of a Colonoscopy. All he needed to do was look at the last part of my colon to make a diagnosis. It sounds like that might be all you may need too, because the blood is bright red and on the stool, not in it. The medicine is very expensive, but it's cheaper than having colon surgery.

I also suggest looking into fecal transplantation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_bacteriotherapy). It could help restore your fecal flora if you've been taking antibiotics, although there is no guarantee. Fecal transplantation put my Colitis into remission (the medicine didn't), but then I had been on antibiotics for a really long time. I had to do the fecal transplantation at home, because I couldn't afford to go to Australia, which is the only place that is doing it. I used one to two syringes filled of stool from my six month old granddaughter. I used it immediately, before any of the bacteria died. I did it once a day for five days. I know it sounds gross, but it wasn't nearly as gross as the blood, gas, and diarrhea I experienced during my Colitis flareup.

As for acne, I've had horrible bacteria infections for most of my life. I've been told by doctors that they've never seen anything like it in their life. My horrible bacteria infections went away after I stopped reusing my pillow cases and towels. No one told me that I was supposed to have a pillow case and towel for each day of the week. However, I still have acne, and I'm in my mid 40s. There seems to be no cure...

[deni55]

If you were correctly diagnosed for UC, then why is your Dr. simply stating it's IBS.

Bloody stool is NOT a symptom of IBS unless of course you're suffering hemorrhoids, or you've gone so much and wiped so much that the delicate skin down there has been irritated enough to bleed.  That's not what your explanation sounds like.

You did not mention your BMs.  Are they 'normal', or do you suffer from diarrhea?  What is a 'normal' day BM number wise for you.

It's great if you were in remission from your UC, but as you know remission is not a cure.

I think it's imperative that you have that colonoscopy with numerous biopsies sites to make sure that your UC is not flaring. Also, if you've been on an antibiotic as long as you have been, it could have done quite a number on your GI tract.  Microscopic colitis comes to mind to start with.  Did anyone ever warn you about extended antibiotic use, and what you could do to try to prevent damage?

If you're without insurance, many clinics and hospitals have special financial help/programs...they just don't 'advertise' them (understandably).  Wherever it is that you get your doctoring, ask their financial aide office what might be available to you.  If nothing else they could possibly set up an installment type plan for you to pay back the cost of testing according to your financial ability/budget.

Hormones can do quite a number on the GI tract.  Could be that while pregnant, your GI issues went into 'remission', and are now slowly going back into a flare.  

If it's not your UC, and it is IBS, you have to remember that rectal bleeding is NOT a normal symptom of IBS and needs to be checked out ASAP by a qualified GI specialist, not your regular physician.

Let us know what you find out.

[Sweetness1]

Thank You so Much!   I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question!
I havent had any polyps in the past...I have been back to my gastroenenrologist and he said he would like to do another Colonoscopy but no insurance so that will have to wait!
About the Vitamins....I shouldnt take them?  Or just maybe every other day?
Thank You!

[loostacoosta]

Maybe you do have IBS if you have stomache pain after eating dairy especially or spicy foods, in changing your diet did you happen to cut out dairy and switch to a soy product, they are actually finding that might not be such a good idea afterall. limit your intake of dairy and onions,peanuts,if you can try yogurt (live cultures) you don't have to get the expensive kind try dannon harvest peach. no milk, icecream and try to excersise... IBS is painful but the symptoms can match Lactose intol. but either way limiting your dairy intake and watching nuts may be helpful.no tylenol or asprin, caffeine.lots of greens and fresh fruits and veggies also sounds weird but try not to eat so much bread whole grain or otherwise, secret dairy componets.foods high in starches too can bother your stomach .did you have pollyps.also slow down on the vitamins unless directed by your Doctor. eat a healthy balanced diet limit your caffeine try to get sunshine everyday (watch dairy) and smile sometimes stress can trigger stomache pain. good luck and write again if you need more advice..Lacy