How long until my stomach blood leaks out my butt?

buz · May 13, 2012

So I've got this sinus infection. Have had. It feels like my skull is trying to claw its way out of my face through my nasal cavity. If I'm not working and I get to lie down, it's tolerable, but if I'm at work walking around all day, it gets to a point where the pain makes me a little lightheaded and swirly and I desperately want to punch everyone in the tit for so much as saying "lovely weather" to me. (It's not lovely IT'S BRIGHT AND HORRIBLE)

...Unless I take ibuprofen. Which is a sparkly magical panacea of love. Unfortunately, it's been over two weeks now, and according to the Official Health Recommendations, you're not supposed to take it that long without Doctor Supervision (which I do not have insurance for), lest your stomach bleed everywhere and you throw up blood and poop blood and tears of blood stream from thine eyes and whatnot.

But, how serious is that ten-day mark? (Obviously not that serious because it's been like fifteen--BUT.) I mean, I don't have any 'risk factors' for internal seppuku, I don't drink, and the only other drugs I take are caffeine and phenylephrine (just straight decongestant, not even pre-meth decongestant, nothing else added). And I'm talking one pill a day, 200 mg per 24 hours. That's the difference between staggering around wanting to shove a screwdriver up my face to release the pressure and being functional. I am a tremendous pussy.

On the other hand, I'd like my internal organs to stay intact for a while yet.

Anyone ever rebelled against the man and taken Advil for more days at a time than you're supposed to and had their stomach explode? Should I just stop taking it and stumble around the workplace being an incoherent half-sentient asshat (which, actually, isn't that far off from my usual behavior)? Am I a tremendous pussy or moderate? Am I an idiot or just a doofus? And what exactly does the pharmacist do when you want to buy Sudafed and they make you ask for it at the counter? "You gonna make meth with it?" "Uh, no" "Well okay then, here you are"? Do they make you sign something? A pledge? Urine test? Pap smear? Sign a pledge with your paps?

(stfu self)

WildScribe · May 13, 2012

I take two tylenol and an Aleve (because Tylenol makes my hips feel better but not my back, and Aleve makes my back feel better, but not my hips) EVERY freakin' night for the last... month, at least.

You're not supposed to do that, but I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I'm otherwise pretty healthy. I figure I'll keep it up until I get jaundiced or start vomiting blood or something.

Really, I think they're just trying to prevent lawsuits, but I'm no doctor, so don't sue me.

alleycat · May 13, 2012

Been there, done that.

I can't give you medical advice, but have you tried a neti pot, or just holding a hot cup of hot salt water under your nose to breath in the steam?

DeleyanLee · May 13, 2012

When I was on worker's comp for tendonitis, I was on roughly 2-3000 mg of NSAIDs a day for over a year, nearly two. It varied day by day, but the pain was bad for a long time and there it was.

Unless you're susceptible to internal bleeding, it's unlikely you're going to have it. The warnings are there to protect the manufacturer in case it does happen to someone.

But, seriously, any infection needs medicine that you're not likely be able to find over the counter. Especially an infection that's causing you pain for that long. Taking care of the pain is only temporary, not curing the problem.

And from my experience among the uninsured, most doctors will charge less than a "doc-in-the-box" clinic (usually by half) and if you need antibiotics, many large chain pharmacies give huge discounts on those, if not for free (my local supermarket chain gives antibiotics for free).

Check into the possibilities. Being in pain that long is not good.

Perks · May 13, 2012

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Also, that's the grossest thread title I've ever seen here.

Siri Kirpal · May 13, 2012

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

I didn't know I wasn't supposed to combine Ginkgo (which I take for Raynaud's Syndrome) and aspirin (which I was taking for dental pain---I had a tooth pulled and the bridge the dentist put in was too big for my mouth). I was normally extremely healthy, don't drink alcohol, or smoke, or even drink caffeine.

But I ended up bleeding out the back end so badly I had to be hospitalized. The doctors assumed it was food poisoning of some sort. I didn't realize until later that I did it to myself.

I now have to be extremely careful what I eat.

So, yes, please be careful!

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

backslashbaby · May 13, 2012

My neighbor's ulcer just broke open to her intestines last week, now that you mention it. It's not a funny thread title, but it's certainly a warning.

It took my NSAIDs at least 5 years of multiple times a day use to give me a serious ulcer. That's no promise it'll take you a long time, but this was completely under doctor supervision. I have a chronic pain problem, and my NSAIDs are crazy strong (and just one of my many meds, but they are the ulcer culprit).

A bigger risk in a short time period is liver damage if you also drink alcohol or similar liver-hurting things. But do watch for the bleeding ulcer signs. Usually there are signs, although this perforated ulcer thing has me jumpy now!

eta: watch the caffeine while you take them, actually. I'm supposed to not have it due to my ulcer. And acid foods can be quite bad, but I have been known to eat them and take an acid-reducer (before I was put on prescription acid blockers).

Ari Meermans · May 13, 2012

Like AC said, I can't give you medical advice. Having suffered the same thing chronically for years, I can suggest something that will give you relief for a day or so at a time. Goofy as it sounds, you need to make your head sweat. Very warm (not hot) compresses on your forehead over your eyes until your scalp starts to sweat heavily will open up those sinuses, relieving the pressure and the pain.

You are going to have to bite the bullet and see a doctor, though. If you do have a massive infection, only antibiotics are going to knock that out.

As far as the Advil goes, if you're prone to stomach problems (high acid, acid reflux, heartburn, etc.) you really shouldn't take ibuprophen for any longer than 2 weeks or so. Even if you aren't prone to stomach problems, extended usage can compromise liver function and screw over your immune system. (Yep, been there, done that. Not supposed to be here now.)

buz · May 13, 2012

DeleyanLee said:
But, seriously, any infection needs medicine that you're not likely be able to find over the counter. Especially an infection that's causing you pain for that long. Taking care of the pain is only temporary, not curing the problem.

Well, most infections I've experienced have cleared up on their own (all minor)...but...I do realize this, and if it goes on for too much longer I will go see about it. Apparently, most sinus infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and they can last a few weeks before fixing themselves...but yeah. If nothing changes soonish, I'll go *grumble grumble doctorbarf*. I just get paranoid about em, the warning labels on things.

I can't give you medical advice, but have you tried a neti pot, or just holding a hot cup of hot salt water under your nose to breath in the steam?

Yes...although...the irrigation thing I just...mixed bottled water with salt and tried dumping it in my nose and may have choked on some of it; not quite sure if that was a fail or not.

The congestion (at least some of it) is quite amenable to stuff like that and it makes it much easier to breathe for a while, prevents the sore throats and coughing and all that noise. Doesn't seem to have much effect on my head, though. No idea.

Really, I think they're just trying to prevent lawsuits, but I'm no doctor, so don't sue me.

I asked for purely anecdotal un-suable evidence.

Plus, I am way too lazy to litigate.

Ari Meermans said:
Like AC said, I can't give you medical advice. Having suffered the same thing chronically for years, I can suggest something that will give you relief for a day or so at a time. Goofy as it sounds, you need to make your head sweat. Very warm (not hot) compresses on your forehead over your eyes until your scalp starts to sweat heavily will open up those sinuses, relieving the pressure and the pain.

Interesting.

Will give that shot. Thanks!

You are going to have to bite the bullet and see a doctor, though. If you do have a massive infection, only antibiotics are going to knock that out.

Eventually...*rabblerassafrackinsnarklebargle* (I know.

I'll get around to it.)

buz · May 13, 2012

Perks said:
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Also, that's the grossest thread title I've ever seen here.

Thanks. I try.

My neighbor's ulcer just broke open to her intestines last week, now that you mention it. It's not a funny thread title, but it's certainly a warning.

Jaysus.

But I ended up bleeding out the back end so badly I had to be hospitalized. The doctors assumed it was food poisoning of some sort. I didn't realize until later that I did it to myself.

Again, Jaysus. I'm sorry...that sounds wildly unpleasant.

eggs · May 13, 2012

I assume you are either a desperado on the run from the law and therefore unable to visit a doctor, or live in one of those bizarro nations that have cheap and easy internet access, but no cheap and easy public healthcare access.

Have you tried taking plain old aspirin instead of ibuprofen? They're both NSAID's, but many people find aspirin works better for inflammation, which you have. They have about the same risk for gastro-intestinal bleeding (i.e., real, but low). If you want to get relief from inflammation, you are better off taking a proper dose of the anti-inflammatory every 4 hours for a couple of days, rather than one a day for weeks on end. By keeping the inflammation low for a few days you are giving the tissues time to heal, rather than just keeping pain at bay for a short period of time. Steer clear of long term usage of the acetaminophen (a.k.a. paracetamol) drugs like tylanol/panadol as those are the ones that kick your liver around.

Frankly, if you have had a sinus infection for this long, you need antibiotics. I don't know where you live but in many countries the basic antibiotic Amoxicillian (penicillin family) is available OTC and would be the first port of call in your situation. In some countries it is illegal to buy it for humans without an rx, but perfectly legal to buy the same thing without an rx from the pet supply supply store for your cat or dog. Google your own country's situation. Some survivalists even make their own penicillin, but that's only for real desperados!

regdog · May 14, 2012

In internet forum is not the best place to get medicinal or medical information, your doctor is.

Stacia Kane · May 14, 2012

*raises hand*

I had a ruptured ulcer back in October which required emergency surgery, cuz I could have died. People have died from those. Please don't mess around with NSAIDs--that is what caused my ulcer (I didn't even know I had one; I had pretty much zero symptoms beyond the occasional mild stomachache.)

I also cannot give medical advice, but taking them with food will be a help toward alleviating any potential issues.

Also, there is someone who CAN give you medical advice about this, for free, and that is your local pharmacist. Just walk up to the counter and ask. They'll recommend you see a doctor, yes, but they CAN advise you on the potential risks, they can recommend ways to help, and they can recommend other medications for you as well. It's what they're there for. (My brother is a pharmacist.)

My doctor told me that the trouble with NSAIDs is you never know who it will affect or how or why. He said someone can take ten a day for years and not have a problem; another person can take two for two days and develop an ulcer. (I was taking several a day.) It's a crapshoot, really. But again--and again, not medical advice--they say on the package to take them with food for a reason, and that reason is because it *does* help make a difference.

But hie thee to the pharmacy asap! (Incidentally, there are quite a few pharmacies in the US that have opened Minute Clinics which are VERY inexpensive (it's usually about $20-$30); they're usually staffed by ARNPs, who can't prescribe narcotics over a certain level but CAN prescribe everything else, and can help you. So it's worth looking into that as well, if even a doc-in-a-box is too pricey.

Take care.

Old Hack · May 14, 2012

I agree with regdog.

I'm locking this until the mods who look after Office Party arrive. They will reopen it at their discretion.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · May 14, 2012

Nope... no, they won't.

We've said it before; we'll say it again: Absolute Write is NOT the place to get or give medical advice. See your/a/someone's doctor/pharmacist. Clinics are a good choice, too... or, you know, just suffer until it gets so bad it costs twice as much to fix and causes other problems.

Your choice.

poetinahat · May 15, 2012

"Fecal tongue"? I prescribe a crate of Listerine. *shudder*

How long until my stomach blood leaks out my butt?

buz

can't stop hemorrhaging emojis

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

alleycat

Still around

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

Perks

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

backslashbaby

*

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

buz

can't stop hemorrhaging emojis

buz

can't stop hemorrhaging emojis

eggs

regdog

The Scavengers

Stacia Kane

Girl Detective

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

Ol' Fashioned Girl

Hand? What hand?

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

How long until my stomach blood leaks out my butt?

can't stop hemorrhaging emojis

Slave to the Wordcount

Still around

Writing Anarchist

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Swan in Process

~~~~*~~~~

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

can't stop hemorrhaging emojis

can't stop hemorrhaging emojis

The Scavengers

Girl Detective

Such a nasty woman

Hand? What hand?

Numbers are beautiful

*