Bleedy & Bloody Stool Following Chemotherapy

NATSGSG

Hello Ladies:

Just wanted to share this article with you...4 days after my 1st chemotherapy, 4 of 5 bowel movement I had were bloodied. Twice this morning, again, the stools were bloodied somewhat heavily, like heavy menstration...So, was told to head for the emergency ward for check up now. Suspects low platelets due to bleeding. Before I go to the hospital, thought I copy below info for you....Have a great day...NS

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Bleeding during cancer treatment                      Your bone marrow makes cells called platelets. These cells keep you from bleeding too much by helping your blood clot. Chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants can destroy some of your platelets.

If you do not have enough platelets, you may bleed too much. Everyday activities can cause this bleeding. You need to know how to prevent bleeding and what to do if you are bleeding.

Self-care

Talk with your doctor before you take any medicines, herbs, or other supplements. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or other medicines unless your doctor tells you it is OK.

Be careful not to cut yourself.

• Do not walk barefoot.
• Use only an electric razor.
• Use knives, scissors, and other tools carefully.
• Do not blow your nose hard.
• Do not cut your nails. Use an emery board instead.

Take care of your teeth.

• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Do not use dental floss.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any dental work done. You may need to delay the work or take special care if you have it done.

Try to avoid constipation.

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Eat plenty of fiber with your meals.
• Talk with your doctor about using stool softeners or laxatives if you are straining when you have bowel movements.

To further prevent bleeding:

• Avoid heavy lifting or playing contact sports.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not use enemas, rectal suppositories, or vaginal douches.

Women should not use tampons. Call your doctor if your periods are heavier than normal.

If you cut yourself:

• Put pressure on the cut with gauze for a few minutes.
• Place ice on top of the gauze to help slow the bleeding.
• Call your doctor if the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes or if the bleeding is very heavy.

If you have a nosebleed:

• Sit up and lean forward.
• Pinch your nostrils, just below the bridge of your nose (about two-thirds down).
• Place ice wrapped in a washcloth on your nose to help slow the bleeding.
• Call your doctor if the bleeding gets worse or if it does not stop after 30 minutes.

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• A lot of bleeding from your mouth or gums
• A nosebleed that does not stop
• Bruises on your arms or legs
• Small red or purple spots on your skin (called petechiae)
• Brown or red urine
• Black or tarry looking stools, or stools with red blood in them
• Blood in your mucus
• You are throwing up blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds
• Long or heavy periods (women)
• Headaches that do not go away or are very bad
• Blurry or double vision
• Abdominal pains

References

National Cancer Institute. Chemotherapy and you: support for people with cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/chemotherapy-and-you.Accessed May 7, 2014.

National Cancer Institute. Radiation therapy and you: support for people with cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/radiation-therapy-and-you.Accessed May 7, 2014.

Perry MC. Approach to the patient with cancer. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI.Goldman's Cecil Medicine

Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.  Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000022.htm

wrenn

I had rectal bleeding a few days after chemo and it was diverticulitis. Taxotere is known to cause bowel perforation so my oncologist stopped chemo. I had had it before so it probably was more likely to happen. Interesting about the platelets. thank you

NATSGSG

Hello again:

I just got back from the hospital emergency..wow, what a long wait...but the good news the results of is from the results of the Full Blood Test, everything is within normal - RBC, WBC, platelets etc. However, I got a few small hemorrhoids in my colon, thus the bleeding... Dr. re=emphasized I need to try to consume more soft and full of fiber food and drink lots of fluids (which I am already doing)...So I can breathe better that it has nothing to do with platelets. Wheeew....

I was prescribed Proctosedyl that I am supposed to use every night before bed to stop the hemorrhoids from bleeding.

@wren...my Dr. said the same thing as well...so I'll be sure to keep an eye on it. Thank you for sharing.

NATSGSG

Hello - this is follow up after use of prescription last night before sleeping...had bowel movement again, and no blood in stool....so the prescription cream seemed to work, at least for now...

Gonna head for Chemo #2 shortly. Just finish a big bowl of baby oatmeal so stomach isn't empty..hehe

Have a great day....