Health Scare Last Month

I had a health scare that I want to tell you about, mostly because of a few things I learned that I wish I had known.  I have been taking prescription NSAIDS (like Advil and Aleve) for a long time because of arthritis in my knees and tendinitis in my hip.  I had read about the risks of bleeding from NSAIDS but didn't think about them because my doctor had  prescribed the meds to me.  This is what happened: I am telling you because my doctor said that they are "classic" symptoms of internal bleeding in the GI tract.  

• Sudden extreme dizziness, followed by vomiting (Vomit looked like coffee grounds.  This is important.  That is what blood looks like.  I didn't know that.)
• I went to emergency clinic at our medical practice, where I was checked for a stroke, given meds for dizziness and nausea, and sent home to consult with PCP if symptoms persisted. 
• Two days later, I had extreme diarrhea, followed by a lot of clotted blood.  (My doctor said that blood is a great laxative.) That is when we went to ER at hospital.  I was admitted for two days until the bleeding from the colon stopped and sent home to see my PCP and get an upper and lower GI asap.
• I had upper and lower GI. They found inflammation in the stomach, but nothing of particular concern in the colon. I was told that the cause of the inflammation was probably the NSAIDS, and to stop taking them immediately.  Only take Tylenol for pain, and to be careful about dosage on that due to the possibility of liver problems.
• My only after-effects are tiredness, which may be anemia due to loss of blood.  Dr. said that iron pills are hard on stomach, so can't take them now.  I go back to PCP next week, but don't expect anything new.
• I was cleared to go ahead and leave on our long-planned trip to PA/Ohio the next day, which we did.

We had a great trip.  I'll write about it and put in some pictures soon.