Plavix & Rectal Bleeding


HopefulWife

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I would like to know if anyone has experienced this. My husband stroked July 31th & after being on Plavix for 3-4 days he bleeds rectally. He has been hospitalized two times this month for this problem. Every imaginable GI test has been done & no doctor can figure out why this is happening. We are being referred to the University of Miami for a consultation.

 

Nicole

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Hi, Nicole, Your post kinda scares me. My husband has been on Plavix and Aspirin for about 6 months now. I have not noticed any bleeding but he does have diarrhea all the time. I have to give him Lomotil at least three times a week to bring it to a bearable state. I have kept food diaries to try to determine a pattern but nothing. Like your husband all the test have shown nothing. We've done cultures, upper and lower GI (scopes) even a CT Scan of the abdomen. Nothing. I would definitely ask his Primary Care Physician to change him to another blood thinner. There are several out there and maybe Plavix is just too harsh for him and turns loose a small bleeder that closes up by the time they do their tests.

 

Keep us posted on his progress and whatever you find out. There are lots of interested people here.

 

Joy

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Thanks for your reply Joy.

My husband has had severe rectal bleeding with blood clots. We have had every test run-including swallowing a camera pill that transmits images every 2 seconds to a computer. Everything is coming up negative. The bleeding stops after a few days when we discontinue Plavix. He needs to be on a blood thinner due to the stroke & a stent in his heart, but he is allergic to Aggranox & Coumiden is a stronger blood thinner then Plavix. The doctor's are stumped & so are we.

 

Nicole

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OK NICOLE, I'LL APPROACH THIS TOPIC VERY CAREFULLY. A FEW MONTHS AGO, I HAD AN EXAM WHERE THEY TOOK A SAMPLE AND FOUND A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLOOD. THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO CALL ME BECAUSE I WAS SCHEDULED FOR A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT. I CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT AND RESCHEDULED. AT THAT APPOINTMENT, THE NURSE CASUALLY MENTIONED IT AND THE DOCTOR DIDN'T SEEM CONCERNED. I HAVE SINCE LEFT HIS CARE AND FOUND DOCTORS I HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN.

 

ANYHOW, I SCHEDULED MYSELF FOR A COLONOSCOPY. ALL NEGATIVE. SO I QUESTIONED THE TUSHY DOCTOR. I TOO TAKE ASPIRIN AND PLAVIX AND HE EXPLAINED THEY COULD CAUSE SOME RECTAL BLEEDING. DIFFICULTY IN GOING TO THE BATHROOM COULD CAUSE A HEMMEROID TO BREAK. ALSO THE REAR END WAS NOT MADE FOR TOILET PAPER AND THAT CAN CAUSE IRRITATION WHICH CAN LEAD TO A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLEEDING.

 

WELL NICOLE, I NOW FEEL WE HAVE BECOME VERY INTIMATE AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE. SERIOUSLY, I HOPE I PROVIDED SOME INSIGHT INTO THIS TROUBLING PROBLEM. THERE ARE SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS WHEN DEALING WITH A STROKE.

 

JUST ANOTHER PAIN IN THE ASS.

 

MARTY smile.gif

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Thanks Marty smile.gif

 

What I'm talking about is severe..almost needing a blood transfusion..bleeding. The clots are coming from high up...like upper intestine.

 

Since you got personal I'll now tell you that my husband has a new appreciation for "that time of the month" alot of us ladies face every month. huh.gif

 

Thanks for sharing your story

 

Nicole

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NICOLE,

 

JUST TO ADD, MY FATHER-IN-LAW IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAVE RUN EVERY POSSIBLE TEST ON HIM AND CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. AUTO MECHANICS HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF FINDING A PROBLEM IN A CAR ENGINE.

 

MARTY smile.gif

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I used to take Plavix (and aspirin). I never had rectal bleeding, but I did pass blood in my urine. This is reported in the thread on Son: Plavix + Bad Bruising which you should read. The bleeding that I experienced was extensive and stopped after I was taken off Plavix. I think that would solve your problem Too. Good luck.

hoststephen

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest ssanchez
I've been on plavix for about 4 years now never experienced any rectal bleeding or any other serious bleeding yet, I only bruise easily .
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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Nichole,

 

To ascertain the cause of the bleeding, first determine whether the blood is light or dark red. If the blood is light red or the color when you cut yourself, the probable cause is from the colon or rectal area. If its dark or black, it could be from any place in the digestive track. Plavix and aspirin should be taken with food, and plenty of water. Sometimes a pill can get stuck in the esophagus and cause bleeding. If your husband has frequent heartburn, this can also cause problems.

 

Small ulcers which heal rapidly, and do not leave a trace can also be the cause of the bleeding.

 

You should review his medical condition prior to the stroke and taking plavix. This may help the Doctor evaluate his condition.

 

Shayle

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  • 1 year later...

I would like to know if anyone has experienced this. My husband stroked July 31th & after being on Plavix for 3-4 days he bleeds rectally. He has been hospitalized two times this month for this problem. Every imaginable GI test has been done & no doctor can figure out why this is happening. We are being referred to the University of Miami for a consultation.

 

Nicole

i was on plavix for only two weeks, i did not have rectal bleeding , although i did develop an allergy to plavix. i had terrible leg cramps and had total body itching and hives.

 

I would like to know if anyone has experienced this. My husband stroked July 31th & after being on Plavix for 3-4 days he bleeds rectally. He has been hospitalized two times this month for this problem. Every imaginable GI test has been done & no doctor can figure out why this is happening. We are being referred to the University of Miami for a consultation.

 

Nicole

i was on plavix for only two weeks, i did not have rectal bleeding , although i did develop an allergy to plavix. i had terrible leg cramps and had total body itching and hives.

 

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hi nicole, i too am on plavix and aspirin but have not experienced any bleeding, just bruising, but i think one of the side effects is diarrhea, sorry to be so blunt, but hey, i do hope your husband has improved, since you posted this topic.

 

hostkimmie

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i am taking plavix and aspirin i have had rectal bleeding, but not a lot, and only after i have been a little constipated, i go back to taking my good friend metamicil and it is soon gone, a always figured i had strained a liitle hard and didn't worry to much about it. mine was bright red so i knew it was fresh and not from higher up. also it would soon stop, only several times lasting several hours and never any volume. i hope the docs are able to find out for ya'll what is going on.

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  • 1 month later...

anytime you have bleeding from a medication, there should be a concern. From a health care professional's standpoint of view (notwithstanding the bleeding), post stroke patients with stents should be on plavix and aspirin as the data indicates in favor of it. However, there are risks with it as the MATCH trial indicates.

 

I quickly read this forum and my question is directed at the person who said they were "allergic" to Aggrenox. What type of allergic reaction did you have? This, unfortunately, is a very common problem with patients. I see this all the time.

 

Patient is allergic to Penicillin

And without questioning it, many physicians will prescribe an alternative antibiotic and does NOT choose any penicillin derivatives including cephalosporins. They generally prescribe an alternative antibiotic which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic - leading to the current resistant strains of bacterias we see today. And if they had just asked - What happens to you when you take Penicillin? - and if the response was "I get a tummy ache", then this is NOT a true allergic reaction. The right answer would be "take your penicillin with food".

 

My point is this - What type of reaction do you have to Aggrenox? (as I think this is a good medication for ischemic stroke). The combination of aspirin + plavix can be dangerous - especially if you're bleeding! Also, evaluate what you're eating. Greens such as spinach promote the coagulation cascade and may help. But first off, let's not try to fix something with another fixer when the original problem can be resolved by itself.

 

EDIT: I recently joined this website. I just noticed they labeled me "survivor" (I don't recall inputting that) - I am a health care professional (United States)

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Guest lwisman

FYI. The default is Survivor. A member has to select another option or they will automatically be labeled a survivor. Often this is missed, and members are mislabeled.

 

Everyone who reads this, please check to be sure that your association is correct. It is listed on the left of each post, under your userid, avatar, etc. If not correct, please edit.

 

Thanks.

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