I noticed this afternoon that I have bloody diarrhea- very bloody... no severe abdominal pain, just wide-spread discomfort.
Let's just say I thought it necessary to go to the doctor ASAP.
The NP ordered a CBC and iron studies, and I have to do fecal occult stool tests for the next 3 days.
I see a gastro on Wednesday at an ungodly hour in the morning. In the meantime, I don't have to go to the ER unless I have severe abdominal pain.
Obviously, I'm just thrilled about all this.

When I got home from having my blood drawn, I opened a letter from the pdoc's office: more abnormal results, this time on the CBC drawn on the 15th. Only the lab results were in the envelope- no note. Yea.
I guess I'll just have to ask the NP when she calls tomorrow. I'm curious if those abnormal values will be the same or worse, and if they may have anything to do with what's going on now.

I am really sorry that you are having to deal with this much stress. I don't know how you are coping.
I am sorry about your GI issues...
((((HUGS))))
bizi

I am so very sorry you are having all these problems....my first thought is that it isn't fair...my next thought is how do you take these in stride which you seem to do or are you a pressure cooker...i hope you have some good news soon....
bobby

I don't know how well I cope...

I like to convince myself that things aren't really happening, so now I keep thinking I imagined it, or mistook something else for blood, and all the tests will turn out fine and I'll be embarrassed I even went to the doctor.... But when I go over it in my head, I know it was blood. Pretty unmistakable. And it happened 5-6 times yesterday.

So, I'll just keep going back and forth like this until I know more.

In the meantime, I'm afraid of going to the bathroom and having it happen again.

Dear Kay,

I can see why you are afraid.

I hope very much that this is something that the mdocs can handle so that you are reassured soon.

M.

good luck with your GI doc appointment tomorrow!
sorry that you are going thru all of this.
((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))
bizi

Oh dear

i'm so sorry

that must be so scary and i know the feeling of being scared and yet you have to go through with it some how

hang in there.

eat bland foods ~ avoid things that will irritate the bowels and you might feel better. there may be some torn lining that will heal or something. they never do seem to want to interpret results in writing best in person otherwise by phone.

(((( hugs ))))

~ waves ~

Kay I hope it is something easy to address, you certainly do not need more stress or health problems.
Maybe if it is lower, like red blood it is a tear and the bleeding is affecting the blood work. Gosh if it isn't one fret it is another.
But I hope that it is resolved asap.
Good luck & hugs
di

That's awful Kay! I hope that they're able to take care of it for you or that it stops on its own. I am so sorry, you must be really worried. I am glad you posted, we're here for you!

Thank you for your support everyone!

I had diarrhea 3 times today, but no obvious blood. I'm relieved, but at the same time it makes me think all that blood yesterday was in my imagination.

I had to catch some poop and smear some one a card with a little stick (so they can test for traces of blood). I've done that a million times with other people's **** when I was a CNA, but somehow being my own **** made it even grosser. Also, I've been out of practice

No word today about the labs they drew yesterday- I'll take that as a good sign.

I spoke to the pdoc tho and she is putting me on 450mg of extended release lithium. I take 300mg of regular lithium now, but my numbers are below the therapeutic range. I guess I'll start that tomorrow. I see her the 31st.

I'll let you all know how it goes at the gastro tomorrow.

Thanks again!