Bleeding After Bowel Scope

[237SJ]

Has anyone here had any bleeding after a bowel scope? (I know that there will only bleeding if a polyp is removed) Just wondering how long the bleeding lasted

[Buenchico]

If I've read this correctly, bleeding can occur up to 14 days after the procedure (although that doesn't mean that it will last that long once it's started):

Quote:
"Removing polyps causes a risk of bleeding, which can occur immediately or up to 14 days after the procedure. This generally stops on its own but very occasionally requires a further colonoscopy or a blood transfusion. There is also a small risk of causing a hole in the bowel wall (perforation). This happens in approximately 1 in every 500 patients who have a polyp snared or 1 in every 100 patients having EMR. This may require treatment through the endoscope, by antibiotics or rarely, by an operation"

Source:
http://www.pat.nhs.uk/downloads/patient-information-leaflets/gastroenterology/803%20Bowel%20polyps.pdf

If the bleeding is severe, accompanied by pain or otherwise giving you cause for concern, I suggest calling 111 for advice.

[albaqwerty]

Mr Alba had a slight bleed for a few days after his first one, the doc said that due to it being his first one and polyps removed, he wasn't to worry unless more severe and heavy blood loss was involved.

[237SJ]

Thanks Chris. I have read that. Alba - I had a polyp removed some years ago and there was an awful lot of blood. I guess I`ll have to keep my fingers crossed

[Sqad]

I wouldn't have thought it at all unusual, biopsy or no biopsy, depending upon the skill of the endoscopist and it may last up for at least a week.

As long as you don't experience abdominal pain....then no big deal.

[237SJ]

From what I understand, there is only likely to be bleeding if a polyp is found and removed during the procedure. I`m presuming I can go back to straight back to work if no polyp is found. The NHS say that I should stay off work for 14 days if a polyp is removed but I am just wondering if that is a very conservative estimate

[Sqad]

237....I am a bit confused....have you had the Colonoscopy or are you about to have one?

[237SJ]

Neither Sqad. It`a new test called Scope and it is routine

[Sqad]

I am even more confused......what is the difference between a Colonoscopy and "Scope" "whatever that is."

[Buenchico]

Info for Sqad, to accompany 237SJ's answer:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/bowel-scope-screening/

[Sqad]

Thanks Buenchico.....seems to be the same thing, except with a flexible colonoscope.

[237SJ]

I think a colonoscopy can look into the bowel but the scope can look and remove polyps if found

[Sqad]

They are both flexible colonoscopes with cameras, both enabling biopsies to be taken.

I will leave this now as i think that colonoscopies and Scope are the same procedure performed by basically the same instrument.

[237SJ]

I think the scope test takes away the polyp rather than a biopsy. That is how I understand it

[anneasquith]

" thin flexible tube "

[ethandron]

In this relatively new 'scope' test, which is being rolled out as a screening for bowel cancer, a flexible sigmoidoscope is used and only views the sigmoid colon, which is the left hand side of the colon. A colonoscope goes right the way round the entire colon as far as the terminal ilium. The instruments used are different.
I have had both done a few times as well as a rigid sigmoidoscopy.

[jennyjoan]

Colonoscopy (not nice) scope (not nice). Hope you are ok 237

[jennyjoan]

Err 237 were you knocked out for this procedure