Scared Stupid

[Whitestar]

Hi

Panicing here, have had black feaces(sorry for such a disgusting subject) for 2 days now and it is really freaking me out , to scared to go to docs but know deep down that I have too. Has this happened too anyone else?

Whitestar

[YoungAtHeart]

Scared Stupid

Hasn't happened to me, Whitestar, but I do encourage you to go to the doctor. You need to get it checked out. Please go and check back in with us, okay??? Don't worry about being gross. All of us have scared ourselves and grossed ourselves out with our drinking. Just go take care of yourself, okay??

Hugs,
Kathy

[Guest]

Scared Stupid

Hey Whitestar,
Sorry to hear about this happening to you, but you could potentially have reason for concern. Doctors look for black tarry stools as a symptom of blood in the digestive tract. OR you could be drinking too much red wine! That makes your poop black too sometimes. I'm NOT a doctor. Just something I'm aware of.
Get it checked out for sure, just to be on the safe side, esp if you are not doing the red wine thing. Any other symptoms? A simple culture will be able to detect anything wrong, Whitestar, and ease your mind or get to the root of the problem and get you fixed up.
Thinking about you!
Take care.

[Whitestar]

Scared Stupid

Thanks

Hi

Its definatley not red wine, cant stand the stuff!! Have done some research on the net and am aware of the possibilites However I have also discovered that asprin can cause this ,recentley I have been taking medication for an upset stomach which contains asprin, if things are still the same tomorrow I will make a doctors appointment,still scared but feeling a little less alone,thanks

Whitestar

[Guest]

Scared Stupid

OH! Whitestar, are you taking Pepto Bismol or any Bismouth medication????? That for SURE turns your poop black! I think it might even say it on the label...
glad you are going to see the doctor anyhow. I had stomach problems FOREVER this summer. I feel for ya. Hope you feel better soon.:l

[Quiescent]

Scared Stupid

Hi Whitestar,

Yes,

I would be concerned about blood in your digestive track with black tarry stools.

Just so you know. Symptoms of liver failure are pale stools and dark urine.

I just copied and pasted what I found when I googled black tarry stools.

Bloody stools often indicate an injury or disorder in the digestive tract. Your doctor may use the term "melena" to describe black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools or "hematochezia" to describe red- or maroon-colored stools.

Considerations Return to top

Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract, from mouth to anus. It may be present in such small amounts that you cannot actually see it, but is only detectable by a fecal occult blood test. When there IS enough blood to change the appearance of your stools, the doctor will want to know the exact color to help find the site of bleeding. To make a diagnosis, your doctor may use endoscopy or special x-ray studies.

A black stool usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Blood will typically look like tar after it has been exposed to the body's digestive juices. Stomach ulcers caused by ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin are common causes of upper GI bleeding.

Maroon-colored stools or bright red blood usually suggest that the blood is coming from the lower part of the GI tract (large bowel or rectum). Hemorrhoids and diverticulitis (inflammation of an abnormal pouch in the colon) are the most common causes of lower GI bleeding. However, sometimes massive or rapid bleeding in the stomach causes bright red stools.

Consuming black licorice, lead, iron pills, bismuth medicines like Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can also cause black stools. Beets and tomatoes can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood.

Brisk bleeding in the esophagus or stomach (such as with peptic ulcer disease), can also cause you to vomit blood.

Common Causes Return to top

Upper GI tract (usually black stools):

Bleeding stomach or duodenal ulcer
Gastritis
Esophageal varices
Mallory-Weiss tear (a tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting)
Trauma or foreign body
Bowel ischemia (a lack of proper blood flow to the intestines)
Vascular malformation
Lower GI tract (usually maroon or bright red, bloody stools):

Hemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Diverticular bleeding
Intestinal infection (such as bacterial enterocolitis)
Vascular malformation
Inflammatory bowel disease
Tumor
Colon polyps or colon cancer
Trauma or foreign body
Bowel ischemia (a lack of proper blood flow to the intestines)
Call your health care provider if Return to top

Call your doctor if you notice blood or changes in the color of your stool. Even if you think that hemorrhoids are causing blood in your stool, your doctor should examine you in order to make sure that there is no other, more serious cause present at the same time.

In children, a small amount of blood in the stool is usually not serious. The most common causes are constipation and milk allergies. But it is still worth reporting to your doctor, even if no workup is necessary.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, focusing on your abdomen and rectum.

The following questions may be included in the history to better understand the possible causes of your bloody or dark stools:

Is there blood on the toilet paper only?
What color is the stool?
When did it develop?
Have you had more than one episode of blood in your stool? Is every stool this way?
Are you taking blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)?
Have you ingested black licorice, lead, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries?
Have you had any abdominal trauma or swallowed a foreign object accidentally?
What other symptoms are also present -- abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or fever?
Have you lost any weight recently?
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the bleeding. For serious bleeding, you may be admitted to a hospital for monitoring and workup. If there is massive bleeding, you will be monitored in an intensive care unit. Emergency treatment may include a blood transfusion.

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

Blood studies, including a CBC and blood differential
Colonoscopy
Gastroscopy or EGD
Bleeding scan
Angiography
Barium studies
Stool culture
X-rays of the abdomen
Tests for the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection
Prevention Return to top

Eat vegetables and foods rich in natural fiber and low in saturated fat. These may reduce constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and colon cancer.
Avoid prolonged, excessive use of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These can irritate the stomach and cause ulcers.
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Large amounts of alcohol can irritate the lining of the esophagus and stomach.
DON'T smoke. It is linked to peptic ulcers and cancers of the GI tract.
Try to avoid too much stress -- a possible factor in peptic ulcer disease.
Your doctor may recommend antibiotics to prevent a future bleeding ulcer if you have been diagnosed with a helicobacter infection (often related to ulcers).
The earlier you detect colon cancer, the more likely that treatment will be successful. The American Cancer Society recommends one or more of the following screening tests after age 50 for early detection of colon cancer and pre-cancer:

Fecal occult blood testing every year.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy or barium enema every five years.
Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Screening tests should be started earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps. Tests should also be performed more often if you have had polyps, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.

References Return to top

Green BT, Tendler DA. Ischemic Colitis: A Clinical Review. South Med J. 2005; 98 (2): 217-222.

Cappell MS. The role of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy in the diagnosis and management of lower gastrointestinal disorders: technique, indications, and contraindications. Med Clin North Am. 2002; 86(6): 1217-1252.


Update Date: 10/27/2005

Updated by: Courtney W. Houchen, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

[Guest]

Scared Stupid

or it could be the upset stomach medication...does the color change coincide pretty closely with the time you started taking that?
Oh brother! ok, you will find out tomorrow. try not to stress out right now until you find out.

[Whitestar]

Scared Stupid

Hooray

Hi
Thanks Imagine,Becca and all who care, have just been taking pepol-bismal as mentioned in your post have thrown bottle away and will keep an eye on things , thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much:h

Whitestar

[bestlifeldms]

Scared Stupid

Call Doc

If it is black and of a tar-like consistancy, it can be the sign of a dietary body change, which is a good thing. It could also be that you are eating things that are high in iron. Are you taking an iron suppliment? Not to scare you, but it can also be a sign of blood high in the GI tract. I would definately make an appt. to see the Dr. Ask when you make the appt. if you should bring a stool sample, and if it should be refrigerated. Gross stuff, but it could save your life. Don't procrastinate! XO
:h

[gabby]

Scared Stupid

Whitestar I hope you are ok. But I gotta share a stupid story that this reminded me of like 18 years ago. I was preggos with my first baby. And my husband and I were at a big gonna have a baby thing at the hospital. And for some reason (i am laughing a gut right now) I raised my hand in front of everybody which was at least 200+ people and admitted I was constipated really bad and could I take something without it hurting the baby.
My husband was gonna die and couldnt leave fast enough. Never really wanted to go to those things with me anymore as I had to pretty much drag him in after that.
So dont feel embarassed Whitestar.
Everybody here really understands.
There isn't a bunch of dumb husbands here.
I really hope this is just nothing and be sure to let us know. gabby

[Whitestar]

Scared Stupid

LOL

Hi Gabby

LOL great story ,feeling better ,an pretty sure was the stomach med I was on , Will keep you all posted tomorrow
WS:l

[gabby]

Scared Stupid

Oh good Whitestar. I'm relieved for ya. gabbs

[mojomuppet]

Scared Stupid

you scared the crap out of me (making fun now but i was realy concerned till i got to the end)

[Whitestar]

Scared Stupid

Iam OK

Hi to all


Seen doc this morning and she has confirmed that it is the stomch med that is causing the problem thanks too all for your support:thanks:

Regards Whitestar

[Quiescent]

Scared Stupid

:good: