Has anyone had internal bleeding due to anti inflammatory drugs?!
Question: Has anyone had internal bleeding due to anti inflammatory drugs!?
I have recently been very poorly, the doc says its due to internal bleeding possibly due to diclofenac!. I wanted to know once the drugs are stopped will the bleeding stop on its own!? i am having further tests soon!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Hi,
Diclofenac is a potent anti - inflammatory drug and great for pain - but it is very acidic and can create so much acid in the stomach that the stomach starts to digest itself!. The stomach is a remarkable organ because it contains enough acid to digest our food - say a great big beef steak - without digesting itself!. Sometimes medicines or other factors interfere with the stomachs ability to protect itself and an ulcer forms!. If the ulcer erodes an underlying blood vessel - bleeding will occur!. If a major blood vessel is involved this can be very serious and even life threatening - but in most cases the bleeding is slight and often only noticed when a blood test shows the patient to be anaemic!.
Withdrawing the Diclofenac will help the stomach to start to heal, but normally the sufferer would also be given ulcer healing medicines such as Lansoprazole (or similar Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugs which all have names that end in prazole)
It is likely that a Oesophagoduodenoscopy (OGD) will be required - which is where a flexible tube is passed into the stomach via the mouth so a doctor can have a look to see how severe the ulcer is!. This is a straight forward procedure and easy to do (often under sedation) the back of the throat is sprayed with anaesthetic so the patient can't feel the tube - so they don't gag!.
When the OGD is performed a small biopsy is often taken to test for Helicobacter Pylori bacteria - because if this germ is present it can delay healing!. If it is found to be present a combined therapy of anti biotics and Proton Pump Blockers will eradicate the germ and heal the ulcer!.
Meanwhile if you smoke - try to stop or at least cut down, because smoking delays ulcer healing!. Likewise if you like a tipple, cut back on your alcohol intake too!.
I hope this info reassures you!.
Regards
IvanWww@Answer-Health@Com
Diclofenac is a potent anti - inflammatory drug and great for pain - but it is very acidic and can create so much acid in the stomach that the stomach starts to digest itself!. The stomach is a remarkable organ because it contains enough acid to digest our food - say a great big beef steak - without digesting itself!. Sometimes medicines or other factors interfere with the stomachs ability to protect itself and an ulcer forms!. If the ulcer erodes an underlying blood vessel - bleeding will occur!. If a major blood vessel is involved this can be very serious and even life threatening - but in most cases the bleeding is slight and often only noticed when a blood test shows the patient to be anaemic!.
Withdrawing the Diclofenac will help the stomach to start to heal, but normally the sufferer would also be given ulcer healing medicines such as Lansoprazole (or similar Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugs which all have names that end in prazole)
It is likely that a Oesophagoduodenoscopy (OGD) will be required - which is where a flexible tube is passed into the stomach via the mouth so a doctor can have a look to see how severe the ulcer is!. This is a straight forward procedure and easy to do (often under sedation) the back of the throat is sprayed with anaesthetic so the patient can't feel the tube - so they don't gag!.
When the OGD is performed a small biopsy is often taken to test for Helicobacter Pylori bacteria - because if this germ is present it can delay healing!. If it is found to be present a combined therapy of anti biotics and Proton Pump Blockers will eradicate the germ and heal the ulcer!.
Meanwhile if you smoke - try to stop or at least cut down, because smoking delays ulcer healing!. Likewise if you like a tipple, cut back on your alcohol intake too!.
I hope this info reassures you!.
Regards
IvanWww@Answer-Health@Com
The bleeding should slow down once the diclofenac is stopped, but if you've developed an ulcer, you may need to get this fixed before you'll stop bleeding!.
You may need an EGD, where the doc puts a scope down into your stomach and part of your small intestine!. He can cauterize any ulcers there to stop the bleeding!.
If you're bleeding from your large intestine, you'll need colonoscopy- basically the same thing, but from the other end!.
Hopefully, though, the bleeding will stop on its own!. I'm guessing the bleeding isn't extremely serious (by that I mean, you aren't in danger of bleeding to death) because you'd have already been in the hospital to get it treated by now!.
You'll feel better after your blood count gets back up to normal, even if you need a blood transfusion to get you there!. Take care!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You may need an EGD, where the doc puts a scope down into your stomach and part of your small intestine!. He can cauterize any ulcers there to stop the bleeding!.
If you're bleeding from your large intestine, you'll need colonoscopy- basically the same thing, but from the other end!.
Hopefully, though, the bleeding will stop on its own!. I'm guessing the bleeding isn't extremely serious (by that I mean, you aren't in danger of bleeding to death) because you'd have already been in the hospital to get it treated by now!.
You'll feel better after your blood count gets back up to normal, even if you need a blood transfusion to get you there!. Take care!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It is a usual result of taking inflammatory drugs that you get some bleeding of the stomach walls!. However, if there is more than a small amount (but it is difficult to define a small amount for you) then go and see your doctor!. The bleeding should stop after you have stopped taking the inflammatory drugs, but in some cases the stomach walls take a while to heal!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yes!. When I was first diagnosed with arthritis I was prescribed Voltarol which caused bleeding of the stomach and led to me being diagnosed with pernicious anaemia for which I am now on vitamin B12 injections for the rest of my life!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Are you sure you are having them AFTER food!? They will cause bleeding of the stomach if you take them on an empty stomach!. You must eat first!. If this doesn't help, see your doc again!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
How long have you been taking them for!? And what were your symptoms!? I only ask because I've been on diclofenac for about 12 months now! Www@Answer-Health@Com
Me thinks you best phone NHS direct and ask the professionals!.Www@Answer-Health@Com