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?

All the very best OP, hopefully just a stomach irritation that some antacids can sort but the sooner you get diagnosed and start treatment the better you will fell. God bless x

I would recommend not guessing where someone’s health is involved.

Really hope all ok OP

That poo photo does actually look quite bad - I am glad you’ve gone to a and e. Gritty texture isn’t good either

from a fellow ditherer. Hope everything turns out OK and you don't have too long a wait to be seen.

Upper GI bleed? My friend had this and her stools were the same. Good luck!

It’s really hard to go to a&e for some people so I’m glad you are finally going.

I agree GI tract bleed.

I can kind of see the logic here - if the wall of the intestine is bleeding then every time it contracts it will squeeze more blood from the wound into the digestive tract. If immodium slows down bowel contractions it's not inconceivable that it could slow blood loss.

But this is all uneducated speculation. It's not as stupid an idea as PP made out but it's not useful. OP has, thank goodness, gone to A&E and the HCP there won't be imagining or guessing how things work, they'll be using their proper medical knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat OP.

Aw I understand your faffing OP. I hope everything’s ok.

Crikey op. I hope you are ok this sounds like internal bleeding and us definitely a medical emergency

Hope you are OK OP? 💐

sorry, posted on the wrong thread!

I hope you are OK, OP. Have been following your thread this afternoon, and am glad you are getting help.

Are you on the right thread @daphneorvelma ?

Good luck op, hope it’ll be ok 💐

Who’s taught you that you aren’t worthy of seeking basic medical attention?
Shame on them.
Hope you are getting seen and sorted.

Hope your ok op sounds scary

yes, @RedDiamond , I posted on the wrong thread – apologies. See my previous message (overlapping with yours).

Hi OP, I haven’t RTFT past the point where you said you’d been taking Feminax. Feminax contains NSAIDS which can cause gastric irritation and occasionally gastric bleeding, which may be the cause. Dark, tarry stool can be digested blood. I hope you’ve gone to A&E!

Any chance you’ve forgotten to take a tampon out OP?
This happened to a friend once and was one of the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome.

Hope you're doing OK OP and have been seen already.

Good luck

Hope you’ve been seen, got a diagnosis or a plan of action at least.

fingers crossed for a positive update.

To hijack even more, a spoilt vote is a wasted vote. Women died to get the vote, don’t throw it away.