THROWING UP BLOOD.

[design112]

Hi everyone!  It's Karen. I've had issues keeping my yahoo id, and I had signed out and not remembered my password. When I went to yahoo to pull it back up under yahoo and designgyrl, I was unable to.  So, this is Karen.

Now to my issue.  I'm having surgery next week for a EUS, where they go in and look at all my organs, take any biopsies that they need to, drain fluids if they need to and basically come up with the definite answer if this is chronic pancreatitis.  I haven't felt good the last few days but have made it through with working, etc.. and I've taken off Wednesday and Thursday to work the weekend.  It's less stressful than the week day and I was throwing up yesterday and didn't think much of it. This morning I woke up at 3 am and started throwing up black stuff.  I looked down and there was actually blood in the bowl where I was thowing up in.  Anyone think I should be super worried.  I have a hernia, so they say on top of the gallstone that he took out and then the 2nd surgery to correct some of the first one.  I'm feeling ok today, just tired as normal but I figured that is due to the fentanyl patch since I've only been on it for a couple of weeks.  But I didn't know how worried I should be about this?  What do you guys think?  I'm glad to be back on the forum and hopefully this will be my last change.

Love to you all,

Karen

[flower12345]

Hi. I haven't been on as much because I have been overdoing it:(

I'm so sorry that you're going through all of this. I don't know anything about throwing up blood, but I read about it a little bit.

Can you go to the ER? I know that you've spent a lot of time in hospitals, and that you don't want to go back, but please, go! I don't want to worry you, but I really think that you should go. I read about it on the Mayo Clinic website and it looks like it can be serious.

Please go to the emergency room.

Hugs,

Flower

[design112]

Flower,

I'm feeling ok now, I haven't thrown up since this morning but am wondering if I should get checked out before next Wednesday.  I think I'll do some of my own research and possibly go to the ER.  You are right, I'm afraid to go to the ER, it seems lately that everytime I've been sick and had to go to the ER, I've been admitted and it's not been an easy time.  Each time I've been admitted for 5 or 6 days at a time. I'm just ready for this illness to be over with.  I really am.  Thanks for your advice!

Love,

Karen

[mkh9]

Hi Karen,
Yes, throwing up blood can be serious. Having you been taking aspirin?  I was taking aspirin and had/have a migraine variant which used to make me throw up all the time at night. After taking aspirin for a couple of months I threw up blood. They did an endoscopy and it was a tear in my stomach. But it can be something else. I would have to say I agree you need to go to the ER and they will probably do the same, an endoscopy.  They gave me valium for the endoscopy and it didn't bother me. Let me know how it turns out. I'm really sorry about all the other stuff you are going through as well. Is your blood amylase or lipase high? Those are usually up with pancreatitis. I am sure you are in a lot of pain and the tiredness can be from blood loss. Have you noticed any blood in the stool?  I'm worried for you and I hope you will go ASAP. It may be an ulcer too. At least they can find out.

Mkh9

[mellie4]

Karen, so sorry to hear this.  You have been through the ringer!  I think you definitely need to see about this before next week.  Tomorrow's Friday.  See if you can get in to see your doctor tomorrow.  If they can't see you, they could tell you whether it would be safe to wait until Wednesday or whether you need to go to the ER.

I don't blame you for not wanting to go to ER, especially after your experiences.  But please don't take a chance with this.

[optimus22mac]

Karen! I agree that with everything that has been going on, that you should definitely get this checked out...don't need to be taking any chances with you!! When do you work tomorrow? Can you go get checked tonight? I'm just worried...it sounds like there was a significant amount of blood...and even if it wasn't, I think you need to go to the ER.  It could be so many different things.  I did look up a few things and researched it a bit, and I think you should go to the ER.  YOU are the most important thing in this equation...I know it's so hard when you think about being admitted and about work and stuff, but you need to go.  Please let us know what happens or what you plan on doing....
Love, Alison

[JadedSweetheart]

Hopefully you are at the ER getting checked out, but if not, I definetly agree with everyone else that you should go to the ER!  There's no telling what's going on and they could run some tests and at least know if you're okay or not.  
It may be something simple, but it may also be something serious.  Also, you probably know but blood in your stool looks like coffee grounds, they say.  If it's red blood/tissue then it's usually hemerroids or rarely other things but coffee grounds is bleeding in your digestive system for sure.
I hope you get checked out!  At least call the Dr.'s office (if they have an emergency/after hours service) and find out if you should go in.  

[design112]

Just wanted everyone to know that I'm hanging in here. I only have had the blood in my throw up this one time.  What I am throwing up is dark brown and almost black, but I can actually see the red tint to it.  There was a tiny bit.  I thought maybe I had broken a blood vessel and that's why I had blood.  But I do have an ulcer and I have been incredibly stressed lately so it wouldn't completely surprise me.  I have not seen any blood in my stools, thank goodness.  I haven't thrown up today at all, but will see how I feel and if needed will do the appropriate thing, no matter how much I dislike going to the ER.  Thank you all for all your advice and kindness.  I don't know what I'd do without you.

[Jaybay]

Karen, my mother died of a GI bleed and that didn't show up in her stools either.    She had been slowly bleeding internally for several years and refused to see a doctor until she nearly bled out.  The last year of her life was transfusions every one to three weeks until the final hemorrhage.  

The dark brown/ black material you are bringing up IS blood that has been collecting in your stomach, and you need to get to an ER NOW.  I am not kidding.  This is not something that you should take a "wait and see" attitude with.  At the very least, call your gastroenterologist tonight.  If he isn't on call, someone else will be covering for him.  Please don't wait!

[design112]

Jaybay,

You have convinced me, and so has everyone else.  I'm getting off the site and will call my doctor right now....

[melissaky]

Hi Karen I am sorry I am so late to post but I agree with everyone .You need to go to the ER and get checked out .Jaybay and the others are right this could be very serious .With all the problems you have had be safe and make sure it's nothing drastic going on .I hope you let us know how everything goes .Take care
Melissa

[jamlws]

I really think you need to get checked out but I know we both took long naps today and how that goes. I really think you should call your dr and let them know what is going on. I know how much you have been thru and how stressful it is to still be having problems but you need to stay on top of them so they don't get out of control. I wish you nothing but the best and you know I am always here for you.
Love
Jamie

[Jaybay]

Oh thank the Lord!  At the very least you need a quick hemoglobin check.  I'm seriously worried about you!

[optimus22mac]

Thank goodness...I hope you are getting checked, and let us know the outcome please:)

[perch101]

Jaybay is right about you needing a hemoglobin check - throwing up blood and feeling tired can = low hemoglobin which can need a transfusion to correct.
Last year I went through a period where I was throwing up alot (daily) and I noticed it was sometimes black too. And then one night I started throwing up blood - bright red, I threw up about a litre (I was very alarmed!) My partner took me to the ER. I threw up another litre as they were admitting me - they took my hemoglobin and they were alarmed at how low it was. Within 15 minutes of walking into the ER I was having an emergaency blood transfusion.
They did an endoscopy - it turned out I had an osophoegeal tear - they repaired it with an endo clip. I ended up having 4 blood transfusions and was in hospital for a week.
I guess I'm telling you this because if you have ANY more vomit that has blood in it (black vomit is often old blood) please go straight to the ER.
Good luck, hopefully we hear back from you soon saying you're okay :-)

[mellie4]

Hoping to hear some good news, Karen.  Glad to hear you're getting this checked ASAAP!  Thoughts and prayers are with you.

[mellie4]

Any news on this???  Karen, I hope you got this checked out and are doing okay.  Maybe I just can't find the update.

[optimus22mac]

I'd love an update also...we were all so worried! I know you've been having computer problems, but it's been a few days since you started this thread, and we all just want our minds eased a little:) I'm hoping and guessing that no news is good news??

[GSWsurvivor]

Im sorry to hear that i hope you feel better and good luck in your surgery!

[opus88]

I'm thinking she must have been admitted?......sending you my prayers Karen..♥

[flower12345]

Prayers from me too.

Hugs,

Flower

[melissaky]

I hope she is okay .Does anyone have a way to get in touch with her ? I too have been wondering how it all came out .
Melissa

[Jaybay]

I'm guessing Karen is back in the Klink again, which is a good thing.  If she needed a transfusion, it isn't exactly a quick "hang the bag and turn on the hose" proposition.  It can take hours to type and cross, and longer if certain antibodies need to be matched.  Then the blood bank has to "make" the blood for the individual patient.  Depending on antibodies present, that process can take quite a while.  

The blood bank folks have a pretty interesting and involved job to do.  They do a whole lot more than just store and dole out bags of blood.  The patient gets only what he needs, which usually isn't whole blood.  In the case of a slow bleed, it's usually just packed cells.  Some people only need plasma, and so on.  With each successive transfusion, the patient can pick up new antibodies which means he has to be typed and crossed every time, unless another transfusion is needed within a couple of weeks.  Typing and crossing results are only good for 72 hours, so if the transfusion can't be done in that time, you start all over again.  There are some rare antibodies that require the blood to be run through a wamer as it's being transfused.

Each unit can take a few hours to transfuse because if it's done too quickly you risk heart attack or stroke.  The floor nurses take a whole lot longer with transfusions than most outpatient facilities who deal with transfusions, chemo and other infusions every single day.  My mom would do anything to avoid having to be admitted for a transfusion since it took twice as long as her usual Monday through Friday outpatient facility.  Besides, we got to know the nurses there so very well that it made the day go a whole lot faster.

Sorry to ramble on so much.  This thread is about Karen and her symptoms remind me so much of my mother's.  I HOPE Karen is in the hospital!

[JadedSweetheart]

I hope Karen is doing well.  I'm sorry if she had to go to the hospital again.  Goodness, no one would want to be in the hospital that much.  It must be hard.  I will keep her in my prayers.
Jaybay, that was really interesting about transfusions.  I never knew all of that.  I always wondered why they check my blood type every time there was a thought of admission or a new condition.  I tell them I'm O neg, it's on the charts, now I understand a little better.  It makes the job they do sound much more interesting!

[Tuckamore]

Sorry I am late to this thread. I've had some huge issues at home. Looking after my mother increases my pain, I have relatives visiting... which increases my pain....and well...you know!!

Anyone heard from Karen? Black emesis IS indicative of blood. Ppl are under the misconception that you should only be worried if it's red...actually not so. The gastric enzymes turn the blood from red to black...or even a dark brown. When you have an upper GI bleed it will often look like coffee grounds.  

So I am very worried about her. Please post if anyone hears from her.

Thanks,
~Tuck