hello - had j pouch surgery 20 years ago for UC - over the years pouchitis a few times which went away w/ cipro //// problem now is some rectal bleeding which has been occuring the last 8-9 weeks / I see blood in the stool about once about every 3-5 days, never more than once a day - considering I have 7-8 BMs/day I'd say I see blood once about every 25 BMs or so - hard to see my GI guy - will not not see him for 3 more weeks /// never bled before w/ pouchitis that I remember / anyone else ever have this problem?
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I think its time for biologics at this point, maybe Remicade?
@vince66 A few more weeks shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re talking about a substantial amount of blood. The most common cause of rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids. If that’s what’s going on you can treat them conservatively, avoiding straining on the toilet, softening up the stool if it’s firmer than applesauce, and perhaps sitz baths. Other things can bleed of course, and your doctor can help you sort that out. Good luck!
not sure how much blood loss (my blood tests exactly a month ago showed a hemoglobin of 12.4) / also I do take 81mg aspirin daily for aortic valve replacement 4 months ago (also double bypass) / I do feel pretty good and walk 5 mi daily and have mowed my lawn the past 3 weeks feeling no fatigue at all and work a part time job in which I am almost constantly moving 5 days a week - but the somewhat infrequent blood in stool concerns me
@vince66 posted:not sure how much blood loss (my blood tests exactly a month ago showed a hemoglobin of 12.4) / also I do take 81mg aspirin daily for aortic valve replacement 4 months ago (also double bypass) / I do feel pretty good and walk 5 mi daily and have mowed my lawn the past 3 weeks feeling no fatigue at all and work a part time job in which I am almost constantly moving 5 days a week - but the somewhat infrequent blood in stool concerns me
NSAIDS are not recommended for Jpouchers.
I've heard that / guess I may have to decide what's more important, my heart or my j-pouch? //// probably my heart
@vince66 posted:I've heard that / guess I may have to decide what's more important, my heart or my j-pouch? //// probably my heart
Good point lol! Maybe blood thinners might be better/safer than Aspirin?
If you are having GI bleeding while taking low dose aspirin, I think it is time to talk to your cardiologist about it. There are so many choices available for anticoagulation, there is no need to choose your heart over your gut. But, unless you discuss this with your cardiologist he will assume everything is perfectly fine.
Jan 
thanks a lot Ms Dollar - waiting to see what my lower GI guy says the 5th - I am concerned about the bleeding but the low frequency (once every 25 BMs at the most) has me a little puzzled
@vince66 posted:thanks a lot Ms Dollar - waiting to see what my lower GI guy says the 5th - I am concerned about the bleeding but the low frequency (once every 25 BMs at the most) has me a little puzzled
Okay, keep us updated! Edoxaban is a great blood thinner. I would bring it up to him and see what happens.
In the mean time be careful dear!
Yes, your bleeding is infrequent, at least what you can see. The fact that you see it periodically on an ongoing basis means that it is active. If your low dose aspirin is short term, then I would not be too concerned. But, if you will need long term anticoagulation, then other options may need to be explored. Your hemoglobin is a little on the low side, but I don’t know what your level was after your valve replacement and bypass surgery.
Jan