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, please don't ignore the advice from pps to ring 111 it's there for just this kind of situation.

Honestly I think you could be right- I was so worried and embarrassed I might have missed out the details. I remember telling them it was black and totally different to normal and diarrhoea like, and I’m certain I told them it was like sticky tar, but I’m thinking about it so much now that I’m questioning if I forgot something or missed a part out. Im awful on the spot especially when embarrassed and I’ve probably made such a mess of this all!

Wtf do not take immodium! That’s the last thing you need!

i would not leave this as call back tomorrow, that's not good enough! i think you should call 111at the very least, the advice given by your surgery does not sound like good advice. i hope you feel better soon.

Honestly I think you could be right- I was so worried and embarrassed I might have missed out the details. I remember telling them it was black and totally different to normal and diarrhoea like, and I’m certain I told them it was like sticky tar, but I’m thinking about it so much now that I’m questioning if I forgot something or missed a part out. Im awful on the spot especially when embarrassed and I’ve probably made such a mess of this all!

Don't get upset with yourself. Phone appointments are tricky for many of us. Have another go and getting through and tell that that the pharmacist said you should; the opinion of a medical professional should carry some weight with them. If you can't get through to them, how about calling 111 and explaining events to them?

Phone back and tell them what the Pharmacy said - that should get attention. You need seeing I'm afraid.

Have you been constipated? I only ask because old, stuck poo can be very dark.

Just phone 111. Black stools are a sign of bleeding in the gut higher up. It's digested blood.

It could be bowel inflammation from your ibs, have you been investigated for Crohn's, diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis at all (scope up bum )
I wouldn't piss about waiting for a GP appointment, just call 111 they will advise. but you have to be honest with them about your symptoms.
Did you actually speak to your GP or was it the receptionsist? because they arent medically trained and might not understand the significance of black poo. BTW does it stink? because Malena (bloody stools) has a smell you never forget.

Have you taken Pepto Bismol lately? I don't know if they sell it there, but it's stomach medicine with bismuth in it? Bismuth can make your stools black and tarry.

Will you please take the advice of nearly everyone on here and go to A&E !

Don’t take Imodium! Go to A&E!

This needs to be seen to urgently.
You shouldn’t worry about wasting time by calling NHS 111, that is what the service is there for.
Make your way to A&E now OP or call 111 and they will direct you to where you can be seen.

Pharmacist here - 100% the right call from the pharmacy. Imodium or buscopan is not needed and would do nothing in this instance.

Can I ask, have you done anything different recently? Change in meds? Had the covid vaccine? Only because my grandad had his booster on Saturday and has also had black stools.

Black stools can be a sign of GI bleeding, and given your history of IBD it would seem this could be the case. I would advise you to go to A&E and take a stool sample if you can. It could be something minor, but it may also be something severe. A GP would only be able to take a stool sample and send it off. So safe option, A&E.

you can phone your GP for this. It’s classed as urgent. it can be a sign of internal bleeding. But your GP can help for it. They might send you there. I imagine though they’d take blood tests first. Internal bleeding doesn’t normally just happen in a otherwise healthy adult.

Immodium shouldn't be taken if anything infective is causing the diarrhoea. Have you been given any antibiotics fairly recently?

Pharmacy was right. You need to insist on GP appointment today. Like I said. It would be urgent GP appointment and no. Don’t stop it.

You seem determined not to go to A&E or call 111 OP, but as more or less everyone else has said, if it were me I'd have called 111 by now at the very least, but I would most likely have taken myself straight to A&E.

Why are receptionists giving advice these days? Really.

Op my friend had this recently and it was from a long term ulcer. Sorry to worry you but it needs looking at.

This is incorrect

a receptionist shouldn’t be triaging patients. They aren’t medically trained to do so.

even with no appointments they should be speaking to a dr

ring back and insist. You can be persistent about this. Perfectly ok to do so.

if they still refuse you. Ask to be put through to the practice manager and explain the same thing to them. That you don’t feel comfortable leaving it and you really should speak to a GP today.

I have raging IBS beyond anything I'd wish on my worst enemy but I have never experienced what you're describing - that is not normal and you should not wait until tomorrow to be seen.

If you have a perforation or internal bleeding, time is of the essence. Please go to A&E.

They shouldn’t be triaging patients!!!

they are not medically trained to do so.

There was a news story over the weekend about a woman who was vomiting black coffee ground vomit, who died. I know it's the other end but it's a known indicator of bleeding.

Honestly I would get myself to A&E if I was you.

If there isnt any appointments it means there isnt any appointments.
Though maybe they meant no routine appointments.

If you dont want to go to A and E.

Ring 111. But they will send you to A and E. And the later you leave it the busier A and E will be.

I’m honestly not determined not to go to a&e or call 111, and I’ve read and taken onboard every single comment but I’m just worried about going and looking like an attention seeker 😥 I don’t have a temperature or fever at all and I haven’t been vomiting or had any other symptoms like that. I’ve felt pretty shit for the last week or so but I’ve been so busy with work and it was my period so it’s hard to tell if the ‘feeling shit’ is because of that.

im going to try and get a sample if I can, and if it’s still black or dark then I will definitely go and seek help.

sorry I hate when people ask for advice and then ignore everyone, and I’m aware I’m becoming that poster (sorry!) but I’m just so worried about going to a&e for nothing! I really appreciate everyone helping and giving advice and I promise I’m listening to everyone x