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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask if there's a Dr on here? DD has black poo (sorry if TMI)

21 replies

Tillymintsmama · 22/04/2019 16:28

My DD (age 10) didn't flush the loo and I noticed the poo she had done was very dark, almost black. I googled of course and 'black tarry stools' comes up as a symptom of colon cancer. She is not complaining of any pain or anything, no weight loss, she's really fine in herself.

She herself has not mentioned anything to me at all. Is this something I should do something about if she has no other symptoms?

OP posts:

PineapplePatty · 22/04/2019 16:30

Stupid question but she's not eaten anything like cake with black icing?

LabradorsandTiels · 22/04/2019 16:30

Not a doctor but I think it might be best to monitor it and see a doctor just to double check?

It's quite hard with stools to know whether it's really black or just dark so might be best to rule anything out if you are concerned

MangoBiscuit · 22/04/2019 16:32

Excess iron in your diet gets excreted, darkening your stools. Has she been on the Guiness?

nauseous5000 · 22/04/2019 16:32

Has she eaten any dark green veg recently? I get this after eating spinach or kale or when taking iron tablets

Prequelle · 22/04/2019 16:32

If it's melena (bloody stool) it will have a very distinctive smell to it. Might be worth getting a sample and having a sniff, I know that sounds weird but it will have an off smell to it

Has she been having any supplements lately? Iron? Any dietary changes?

ContessaIsOnADietDammit · 22/04/2019 16:35

Does she take an iron supplement? That can do it. Otherwise it may potentially be a symptom of bleeding in the upper intestine (lower is redder).

SleepWarrior · 22/04/2019 16:36

Did she eat blueberries yesterday by any chance?

Candleglow7475 · 22/04/2019 16:37

Has she had blueberries, beetroot, dark chocolate? Keep checking her stools and 🤞 it’s just a one off.

BananaFace5 · 22/04/2019 16:38

Could also be constipation but Id imagine if it was bad enough to be that dark she'd have complained about it in some way

unsuredd · 22/04/2019 16:39

I have this but I am currently taking iron tablets!

Original poster

Tillymintsmama · 22/04/2019 16:40

No she has not had any iron supplements, we have spinach every so often but not recently.

If I was going to take her to the GP, would I be best trying to get a poo sample? I don't want to scare her or worry her but it's unnerved me a bit. (Prob oversensitive as my mum died of cancer last year)

OP posts:

Prequelle · 22/04/2019 16:45

I would take a sample yes, the doctor should be able to tell the difference and not need to do a rectal exam. You might want to prepare her for the possibility of this if they do think it's melena. It takes seconds but obviously for a young girl it's not pleasant.

Theredjellybean · 22/04/2019 16:49

Hi, I am a GP, firstly bowel cancer in a young person of 10 practically unheard off..never heard of or seen a case in 28 yrs of being a doctor.

Black sticky smelly stools ( maleana ) is sign that some blood is being lost higher up the guts and excreted in the stools ( poo) , by time it is passed it has altered and is black.

so it is a sign of bleeding in higher guts not necessarily bowel cancer.

black or dark stools can be normal ,and due to diet

i would suggest you obtain a sample ( small steralised tupperware pot will do) and book a routine appt with your gp.

as she is well there is no need for an emergency or urgent appt, though i appreciate as a parent you will be worried.

it might be worth looking at a few more poos , to see if this was a one off !

ContessaIsOnADietDammit · 22/04/2019 16:54

OP, does she have any dietary intolerances? I've heard of cases where particular foods can cause bleeding of the gut lining. The GP may suggest an exclusion diet (or you could try one yourself)....

Seeline · 22/04/2019 16:58

How many Easter eggs has she eaten over the last couple of days? Chocolate can turn your poo dark.

steff13 · 22/04/2019 16:58

Do you all have Pepto Bismol there? It's stomach medicine. It turns your poo black. Has she had any of that, maybe?

TranquilityofSolitude · 22/04/2019 17:00

DD has had this when she has had a nosebleed, especially if it has happened in the night and she's swallowed some blood.

Frogshoe · 22/04/2019 17:12

Has she had those bright slushy ice drinks? MIL gave one to DS who is four and his poo for very dark green

Frogshoe · 22/04/2019 17:22

Has she had those bright slushy ice drinks? MIL gave one to DS who is four and his poo for very dark green

LegoCake · 22/04/2019 17:38

Oreos do this to me Has she had any in the last few days?

Loopylou6 · 22/04/2019 17:48

Has she drank alot of ribena? And as pp stated, oreos could be the culprit

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