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How to tell difference between Diverticula bleeding and hemmoid bleeding

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libralady13
libralady13

Hello  I am a member of several groups and find them very helpful.  Most people are very supportive.  I supposedly have had IBS for around 6/7 years.  I am 69 years of age.  Following a bad run of constipation and bleeding I had a colonscopy 3 weeks ago.  Results were diverticular all down left side sigmoid and descending colon ,small internal hemmeroids and one 6mm benign looking polyp removed from the ascending colon and the consultant said he would not need to see me again so no follow up appointment.  He also said the bleeding would be from either Diverticular or hemmeroids.   I now wonder if I ever had IBS. That aside I Did have some pain bloating after the scope but that seems to be much better now.  I take fybogel once aday and am able to go each morning.  Everything was ok with stools for the first 2 weeks now I am getting blood in stools again and when I wipe.  Although easy to pass they are starting to get like small balls stuck together rather than a smooth stool.  My questions are does anyone know how to tell if the bleeding is from the hemmeroids or diverticular and regarding diet.  I am pretty confused I know it is a matter of trial and error but you read so much about fibre too little and too much soluble and insoluble fibre not to mention low fodmap diet.  The pain I get is on left hand side usually because of wind or constipation but as I said much better this last week.  I  cannot get a gp appointment for another week but in the meantime I need to try and work out where the blood is coming from.  Added to all this is that I suffer from anxiety which of course does not help with bowel problems.  Any views or ideas would be appreciated.  

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  • lyn98093
    lyn98093 libralady13

    Posted

    Hi, I think that if the surgeon did not know where the blood is coming from, it may be difficult for you to get an answer.  When I have had bleeding it is the day after an attack of severe diverticulitis.  It sound more to me like haemoroids.  You have just had a thorough investigation so I don't think that there is anything to worry about.  Book your appointment with the GP and see what he says.  I know all about the anxiety, believe me, you are not alone. X

  • libralady13
    libralady13

    Posted

    I have seen my GP and she thinks the blood in stools is more likely to be caused by hemmerhoids, as she said I would be ill if it were a DD flare and there might be more blood.  I am very confused and frustrated.  She has said to try a second dose of fybogel in the eve, but have not done as yet because my stools seemed to be getting better, also it is hard to take a second dose as the fybogel with mebeverine needs to be taken before meals and long term  I think this would be very inconvenient when going out for meals, but I haven't ruled it out  She also said I could try some hemmerhoid suppositories although I am not sure either of us think they will heal the hemmies as they are far up in the rectum I believe, certainly she could not feel them with a rectal exam.  I started the suppositories 3 days ago so will try them for a week of so.  I still have some blood in stool but not when the stools are soft and smooth (sorry to be graphic).  Finally does anyone know what causes separate bristol scale stools 1 and 2 (which they class as constipation ).  Mine are sometime like that but easy to pass because of the fybogel. I can only think in my case it is the IBS possibly caused by anxiety or something I am eating or eating too much of.  Any ideas anyone?  My gp suggested I go back to hospital for banding but if I don't get the stools right surely they would come back and bleed at a later date. Feeling frustrated with it all.

    • susan95516
      susan95516 libralady13

      Posted

      I was told by my dr not to take mabeverine and fybergel only take one. So I take mabeverin 3 times a day before meals. I have albran on a morning and brown bread I no longer eat beef chocolate salad ice cream. I have found it hard to keep under control but I just persevere. It sounds like you are having a rough time at the moment I hope it sorts its self out and you feel better soon
    • libralady13
      libralady13 susan95516

      Posted

      Thank you susan.  The mebeverine  is included in the fybogel powder although you can get fybogel without.  The one with mebeverine is for IBS sufferers who need help with constipation and stomach cramps.  Before I had the DD diagnosed like you I tood mebeverine 3 times a day before meals.  The differnence between the fybogel with mebeverine and and the one without is that one with the mebervine is taken before meals like the tablets and the plain fybogel after meals.  Whether there is any difference in the dose I don't know.  I agree it is frustrating trying to find out what foods upset and those which don't and keeping to it.  There are also a lot of differering opinions on the subject.  Hang on in there.  I just want to find out whether the bleeding is hemmerhoids or diverticula.  I may have mentioned before that the surgeon who did the colonoscopy said it could have been from either.  I assume that after the colon prep cleared me out and the bleeding stopped for 2/3 weeks and then started again.  It's not much but worrying.  I had my colonoscopy 6 weeks ago but they have still not sent me a letter with the results of the polyp they removed even thought the doctor said that it looked benign and he would not need to see me again hence no follow up appointment.  Take care and look after yourself.

    • susan95516
      susan95516 libralady13

      Posted

      That's what happened to me was told polyp was ok multiple DD but no appointment needed referred me back to Drs I asked to see a gastro consultant finally got a appointment 6 months later after dozens of phone call. The consultant said nothing can really be done for DD and gave me a web sight for wind. My Drs is good if I need antibiotics or just a checkup they see me I hope you get sorted out soon. Are you in the U.K. X

    • susan95516
      susan95516 libralady13

      Posted

      They seam to do things differently in the US If you want a follow up appointment I would phone the appointments at your hospital and tell them you haven't heard anything yet. I think your dr will have the results of your polyp by know x

    • libralady13
      libralady13 susan95516

      Posted

      Hello Susan, Read your latest posts and sorry you are having a bad time at the moment.  Drives you mad doesn' it.  I meant to reply to you to tell that I did eventually get a follow up letter from the hospital consultant who did my colonoscopy.  As I already knew diagnosis of diverticulosis, small internal hemmeroids and one polyp removed.  The lab report was that it was benign no sign of malignancy and low grade dysplasia and in the view of the fact there was only 1 and it was under 10mm no further follow up needed as per UK guidelines.  

      Going back to you I now you said you have had trouble with the fybogel but take mebeverine and eat allbran to help you,

      I  think I may have mentioned it but I take fybogel with mebeverine in it as it is used for IBS cramps so maybe would help with diverticular as well.  The only thing is that you need to take it half an hour before eating (like mebeverine tablets).  I only take it once a day in the morning but sometimes I feel I need it evening as well.  Have held off so far because not always convenient to know what time you will be eating as we often eat with my daughter and family at weekends and going out would be a problem  You can hardy mix a glass of that up half hour before they bring your food in a busy restaurant.   I had been doing fairly well but last couple of days not so well.  No infection and don't feel ill but stools lumpy again.  Am blaming it on taking grandchildren out for the day and eating out also was at the hospital with my husband and we had to sit and wait for nearly four hours on the most unfomfortable seats.  I just wish I could work out when this happens if it is my IBS or diverticular.  I don't want to think it is IBS and not act in time getting antibiotics etc.  Just wish the medical profession would give you more information as you have to find everything out yourself.  I have not been told that I have Diverticulitis so fingers crossed it is the IBS.

      Hope you feel better soon.

      Carol

    • susan95516
      susan95516 libralady13

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. I am sticking with the mabevarine and fybergel. I see my DR on Friday So going to talk to him about anything else he can suggest. I am paying to see consultant next week to speak to him about it. I also had a small polyp it was benign so discharged and told to come back for a colonoscopy in 5 years. I think I have mentioned it before but I saw a gastroenterologist and she just gave me a web site for wind I have done a lot of sitting so in a lot of pain in my left hip and leg It does get me down sometimes but I am trying not to Hope you feel better soon I also have been told I have IBS x
    • libralady13
      libralady13 susan95516

      Posted

      Hi Susan

      I hope the consultant will be able to help you do let me know how goes. I had been feeling a lot better but feeling bloated last few days not sure if it is something I have eaten or my anxiety. I have been assessed for counselling. I am just waiting for an appointment to start seeing the counsellor. I sympathise with your pains in legs and hips me too. It does get you down. Good luck for next week. Best wishes Carol

    • susan95516
      susan95516 libralady13

      Posted

      Thankyou. I have woke up this morning with leftsided pain and feel like I need the loo all the time I have a Drs appointment in tomorrow so will see what he thinks I hope the consultant can sort me out. X
    • libralady13
      libralady13 susan95516

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that.  Good luck with doctor tomorrow and the consultant.  Hope you feel better soon. 
    • lyn98093
      lyn98093 susan95516

      Posted

      After my recent attack when I was admitted to hospital, I have started taking Regucol and doing lots of bending and lifting in my garden and allotment since my return from a short break to Ireland.   The last couple of days I have had mild all over stomach ache, but twinges of pain on my lower right side and loose, thin stools.  I am a, white, European, this is extremely unusual, left side is the norm.  I am phobic about visits to the doctor/

      hospital, but wondering, because of the right sided pain, it could be

      something more sinister.  A CAT scan and colonoscopy would ideal, altough

      the surgeon I saw at the hospital ruled out  a CAT scan but also said,

      worryingly, that it could be some other colo/rectal dsease.  I am fed up with whatever is going on, going through something that is as painful as child birth every four months is soul destroying and causes so much anxiety in my life.

    • susan95516
      susan95516 lyn98093

      Posted

      My DR told me he thinks I have IBS has well as DD that's why I have lots of different pains and problems. Maybe that's what going on with you Hope you get some answers

    • libralady13
      libralady13 susan95516

      Posted

      This is my problem as well trying to find out what pain is caused by what.  We all know that DD usually but always causes pain on the left hand side but IBS also causes ctamps and although the pain can be anywhere it is often on the left hand side.  Really frustrating.  I know that I have diverticular scattered all down the left hand side from where the descending colon joins the transverse colon going right down to the end of the sigmoid colon.  That is whay I was concerned about whether the bleeding was from the hemmies or right down in the sigmoid colon.  With my IBS I sometimes got pain low down on left hand side especially when constipated, lots of bloating and wind and pain in other odd places around the abdomen and lower back.  During the last year before the DD diagnosis I suffered bad constipation and the usual pain right down on the left hand side and also similar pain (cramp like) on the lefty hand side at naval level often relieved by passing wind but sometimes it went on for a few hours.  I think this may have been the DD but by no means sure.  I hope this might help you in deciding what is causing what.  I do realise that you are worse of than me as you have diverticulitis.  My GP said when I asked how I would know if it were DD then I would feel ill and have a temperature in addition to the pain.  Do let me know how you get on with the consultant.

      Have a good weekend and hope you are feeling better.

    • susan95516
      susan95516 libralady13

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. My DR gave me mabevarine for the IBS and it seams to work. Going through abit of a constipated faze at the moment but manageable x
    • Guest
      Guest lyn98093

      Posted

      Hi Lyn ,I get a type of stitch feeling on my right side even though I have multiple diverticular on the left, I'm now waiting for another colonoscopy as I have had very loose stools now for about 10 months and going about 4 times in about 2hrs very early on a morning.When I was originally diagnosed in 2014 I managed my looseness with Regucol and Lepicol for about 12 months but only Loperomide helps now ,if I don't take it I feel sick I can't eat and the cramps are horrible ,my GP says he's not worried and it's not an urgent referral then I'm getting to see a specialist ,how long this will all take  I don't know .

    • susan95516
      susan95516 Guest

      Posted

      I am the same so I am paying to see a specialist in 2 weeks just to ask if there is anything he can do to help me x
    • Guest
      Guest susan95516

      Posted

      Please let us know what he says,I hope he can help you.x
    • susan95516
      susan95516 Guest

      Posted

      I will do. I am going on Friday will post as soon has I get home. I really hope he can help So fed up of feeling like this x
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