Bleeding Ulcer

Updated on September 25, 2012
♥.O. asks from Parcel Return Service, DC
5 answers

My father was taken to the ER yesterday with a low blood count (4.3) & MRSA. This is his second time being infected with MRSA. (By the way, in case anyone is wondering, I do know the difference between being infected vs. simply being a carrier. His culture confirmed MRSA infection. He is also a carrier.) They performed a scope and found the internal bleeding which was a large bleeding ulcer (also found a small non-bleeding uler). They were able to stop the bleeding (can't remember the actual term they used...coulterize,maybe??) and are trying to get his blood count back up. We were shown pictures of the bleeding ulcer and that is one scary looking thing! Once they get his blood count up some more they will start treating the MRSA.

So my questions are: is it likely that the ulcer will start to bleed again? do ulcers go away?

I know nothing about ulcers and even less about bleeding ulcers.

Any advice and/or personal stories would be much appreciated.

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So What Happened?

They took the culture on Friday because he has masses in both lungs and we were waiting to find out if he had lung cancer - he does not. They (specialist team) suspected at that time it was MRSA. He went back in to the specialist on Monday and they informed him then that they did not find any indication that he had cancer, that the culture was positive for MRSA & they also informed him about the low blood count and told him to go straight to the ER. I don't know about open wounds but he has what looks like ugly purple brusing down one side of his body and part of it is raised.

Initially, he was told that he had a staph infection and was given antiboitics and then when they took his blood sample again after the course of the antiboitics he still showed an infection somewhere in his body. So we already suspected MRSA as did the doctors. It was confirmed with the culture.

That's how it started the first time around to - diagnois of staph not responding to treatment. Last time it put him into septic shock (or something did anyway).

More Answers

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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I had bleeding gastric ulcers at the ripe old age of 39. I had a 4.1 and was admitted on the spot for blood transfusions. When I was strong enough and they could see I wasn't having a negative reaction to the transfusion they scoped me both ways. Nasty pictures for sure, they cauterized (high temperature wand thing to stop the bleeding). I was on Nexium for a while. I have never had another relapse but I learned not to take so many anti-inflammatories.

Did they transfuse your dad? That made me feel so much better and strong!!

Also to address an earlier poster, they can run the MRSA test using the PCR method and that is very fast.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

I know some. My mom had them and almost bled to death. Yes, they can start bleeding again. Ulcers are caused by many things, but there is evidence that they are caused by a bacteria in the stomach. They can treat him with medicine for that and hopefully that will eliminate his problems. Also, a change in diet will be necessary. My mom had to give up alcohol, juice, anything that is acidy. Stress can also be a trigger as well. It will take a bit of time for him to recover. He lost blood so he will be very tired and weak. I'm sure they are giving him transfusions at this time to build up his blood count.

My mom was in the hospital the first time for over a month. It took her about a year to fully recover. She had a couple of relapses. She didn't take her diet seriously and she missed my engagement party and Christmas. She was in the hospital for 10 days. She seemed to relapse around the Christmas holidays. She loved the holidays and would get all worked up. December - February were bad for her. After all this, every time she said her stomach hurt we all held our breath! She did take the medicine and it did eliminate the bacteria but she would NEVER take a chance and eat what she shouldn't. After her couple of relaspes she was very faithful to her diet.

I don't know much about MRSA. However, with your dad being in a weakened condition, that to me would make it a little more serious.

PM if you have any questions. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

1 mom found this helpful
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D..

answers from Charlotte on

I don't know anything, so I can't be of help, but I wanted to say I'm so sorry and that I hope they are taking excellent care of him.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

My question is how did they dx MRSA so quickly. Cultures need to grow for
48 hours. Does he have open wounds or is it a blood culture. I would hate
to see him being treated for something that is not active. I have had MRSA many, many times so I am curious. Someone called me about MRSA last
night.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Portland on

This is something that you need to talk with his doctor about. The doctor knows your father's condition and has experience with many people with ulcers.

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