PLEASE HELP What do I do ? GP ? NHS24 ? A&E?!

[Watercolourpencils]

Posted yesterday but posting again sorry

for the last day I’ve been passing stools that are very dark- possibly black- and extremely sticky. It started randomly yesterday (without any cramps or vomiting) and has continued again this morning and this afternoon.

I don’t have any other symptoms but for context, I have IBS and get bad diarrhoea a lot. I sometimes get bleeding but it’s usually red. I’m on the waiting list to see the hospital for this. My blood tests and poo tests and piles/fissure exams were all normal.

I very rarely get black stools but for the last day it’s been really bad. It’s extremely dark, strange looking texture (possibly gritty but im not sure) and very sticky.

I have absolutely no idea what to do. I tried to contact my GP earlier but couldn’t get through. Im worried that im starting to seem like an attention seeker with all these symptoms yet my tests are all normal, but I know im not imagining this poo. It’s definitely black.

what do I do in this situation? Do I keep trying to get through to the doctors? Or do I call NHS 24? I don’t want to make it a bigger deal than it is but im starting to get worried about it because it’s still black today and not just a one off last light.

I spoke to my parents who insisted on NHS24 but I don’t want to be a timewaster when I don’t have any other symptoms

I’ll keep trying to get through to the GP for an appointment today but im starting to get worried in case I can’t get through. It’s a good surgery but just really busy but that’s not their fault so I’ll keep trying to call.

Has anyone been in this situation before or have any advice?

OP have you had further tests like a colonoscopy? I’ve never heard of anyone having black poop as a result of infection, obviously I am no doctor 😄 but I would be on my GP’s door asking for a referral to a specialist to check this out in more detail.

Posting in the hope that someone is still about

So the black poo has stopped which is a big relief! But I’m still getting cramps and a horrible sickness feeling. I’m not having normal poos yet either- thankfully they’re not black anymore but they’re now a very very yellowy brown colour. I didn’t eat anything in hospital because I wasn’t hungry at all and also because I wanted to try and stop the black diarrhoea so I let my tummy have a break and didn’t eat. I still don’t really feel hungry but I’ve been trying to eat small amounts of bland food but it’s sending my tummy crazy. I didn’t eat breakfast today and had half a dry cracker for lunch and I had to run the toilet straight away. It’s not completely liquid diarrhoea but it’s not solid either, it’s like gritty sludge, same looking texture as last week except now it’s yellow not black. It also leaves a layer of something on the toilet water (sorry TMI), like the shiney layer when there’s petrol in a puddle and it’s like a layer on top of the puddle, sort of like that!

I don’t know if the cramps and sickness and yellow diarrhoea is just the ibs now rather than related to what happened this week or if it’s all part of the one thing. Or maybe it’s yellow because I haven’t eaten much? I had blood tests at the hospital and apart from the one low thing which they weren’t concerned about (the red blood thing) , there was nothing else at all so I know there’s nothing else going on. I just want the cramps and sickness and the diarrhoea (whether black or yellow!) to stop

Sorry I also meant to add (just in case it’s relevant at all) the yellow sludge/diarrhoea smells so strongly of vomit, it’s so strange and horrible! I don’t know if it’s maybe just because I haven’t eaten much and my tummy is clearing itself out but it smells exactly like sick

You are very keen to go into explicit descriptions of your poo, aren’t you. Posting photos and all that. And having such trouble asking for help, it must be very difficult for you.

Maybe ask about that infection that was the problem.

I would call 111 again.

I would be calling the hospital and talking to the ward you were on. See what they suggest.

Something isn't right .If it were me I'd be ringing out of hours GP or 111.
Sorry you're having so much trouble .

What the hell? I’ve posted describing the problem again because it’s different from how it started and because I’m not sure if it’s normal or not. It’s easy to make things a bigger deal in your head when you’re tired and not feeling great so I wasn’t sure if I was just doing that and making it a bigger deal than it is or if it’s normal or not. I’ve never had anything like this before and unsurprisingly didn’t know if it was normal or not, but some people might have had it before and might recognise or have advice for something I can do to help it. With hospitals and doctors so busy right now I didn’t want to be wasting their time by contacting them again if these new changes are just typical of an infection or bug, so I posted again to see if anyone knew. If anyone has any concerns or problems with this post then feel free to report and I can speak to whoever necessary to prove I’m being serious. I know it’s all a bit gross but I only posted here because I’ve seen people post similar and get help and advice and I thought it was worth trying.

Im not very keen to go into explicit details, I’m actually pretty miserable with it all going on and am describing it exactly as it’s happened because what’s the point in posting half a story and wasting peoples time asking for advice when I’ve left out facts. It’s pretty hurtful to suggest what you seem to be suggesting and if you have any concerns feel free to report or whatever

No it's not normal and when DH had stools like that it indicated a problem with his bile duct. I would call 111 again.

Call 111 and be forceful!

Greasy stools can be caused by bile duct or pancreas problems (as you'd have found had you googled?). Or if you've eaten a lot of fatty food.
Have you called 111 yet?

OP, I'd be querying your IBS diagnosis with your collection of symptoms. It could be something else. The wild variety of poos could be something like Crohn's, coeliacs, diverticulitis, something gall bladder related, etc etc.

You definitely need to see a gastroenterologist - GP can refer you and ought to do so urgently.

But if you're ever not sure what to do e.g. today, ring 111. They'll assess over the phone and recommend self care, book an out of hours GP, or tell you to go to A&E. I recommend this because then it's not your decision - you're following medical advice. Just make sure you're very clear about your symptoms, writing down a list before you call could help.

Ignore the snippy comments OP. It must be quite an upsetting situation - not only putting up with your symptoms but also not really knowing the cause. I would agree with previous advice and call 111 - for reassurance if nothing else.

Thank you very much! I was actually quite upset because it’s a horrible thing to post about and I had tried so hard to not go into too much information but also to explain it exactly as it is in case anyone reads it and knows of something that would help😣

I think I was just so hesitant of calling 111 for help again because I had several blood tests in the hospital and they were thankfully all clear so I know there’s nothing wrong with me which is a big relief, but I was just confused about why it’s happening!😩 I wish it would just stop!

I can't see why you describing your symptoms would be such an issue for some people (I mean......they always have the "don't bother to read" option easily available!). I hope you get some improvement or some answers soon.🤞

Did you have a test for H Pylori infection?
Did you ask why you were not given a colonoscopy?

Are you scheduled for a scope?

The fatty stools that smell foul sounds like steatorrhoea to me. Your food not being properly absorbed.
These can be a sign of coeliac or IBD.

I would ask the GP if you can have a fecal calprotectin test done.

Oh you poor thing OP 🌷🌷🌷

I'd also push for further investigations, coeliac and crohns spring to mind based on family members with these and some overlap of symptoms with yours.

Meanwhile I'd take regular rehydration salts as your poor body must be dehydrated and salt-imbalanced.

The reason people pick up on the details is that they are wary a certain poster or posters with a fetish.

Blood tests don't rule out everything. There is definitely something going on and if I were you I would be pushing to see a specialist. I'm suspicious of them saying you have an "infection" without being more specific. Sounds like they were fobbing you off to me.

I would ask for an urgent GP appointment to arrange for a full range or tests and/or referral to someone who specialises in this area.

It's reassuring that initial tests have been clear but I wouldn't be happy that you're still not back to normal.

Ignore the posters being unkind they can't have much better to be doing with their time.

greasy poo is a sign your not digesting the fat in your food, can be caused by diet, infection, problems with your bile duct, diseases like chrons, and ulcerative colitis.
Again if you are concerned and you cant get a GP appointment for further investigations, then dial 111 you arent time-wasting, they will direct you to the appropriate health care. whether that's talking to a doctor or going back to A and E it's the sole reason they exist. For advice on where to go depending on what the problem is.

@Watercolourpencils I think you should ask / insist on a colonoscopy. I assume they have tested your poo for blood? If you are anaemic it could be blood loss internally and there can be many causes for that.

Agree you need a colonoscopy and an endoscopy asap

sorry I meant to say, I’ve had calprotectin tests in the past which were thankfully negative so they’ve already ruled out crohns and other serious things like that.

I haven’t been eating very much because eating definitely flares it up, but even on an empty stomach I’m still getting the cramps and it’s still yellow and I definitely haven’t eaten anything yellow to change the colour😕

i was just so reluctant to get back in touch with 111 or anyone else because I don’t want to waste their time for an upset tummy when my tests in the hospital were fine last week. I’ll try and go to my GP this week if it’s not improved. Usually I eat loads but I’ve hardly had an appetite at all this past week, probably because I know as soon as I eat it sends my tummy crazy again!

is there any foods that are best for an upset tummy? I’ve tried things like rice, dry toast, banana, but everything is just going straight through me and causing really bad cramps. The only thing I’ve been persevering with is drinking water which even still makes it worse but obviously I want to drink so I’ve been persevering with that. I don’t think my body has ever gone this long without proper food, I usually eat like a horse!