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Original poster

I have black poo!

30 replies

StillMedusa · 29/10/2015 10:25

Sorry gross topic.
What would cause that? I don't take any supplements or medications (barring one I have been on for years..defo doesn't cause black poo). I have IBS (allegedly) and pretty severe stomach pain at times but that's nothing new.

Had a quick google and all sorts of dire things come up, but I don't feel unwell , stomach pain is at usual levels ..ie discomfort , hot water bottle to cuddle, not agony. It's been like this a couple of days.

Do I need to see a GP or is it safe to eat really simply and see if it just goes?

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 29/10/2015 10:28

Black poo can be caused by bleeding in the stomach from something like an ulcer, so you do need to make a pretty urgent doctors appointment. I'd try to take a sample too.

PeaceOfWildThings · 29/10/2015 10:30

There are some foods that can cause this, but you should go along to the doc and get a stool sample tested.

Annarose2014 · 29/10/2015 10:30

You need to go to the doctor and get your haemoglobin levels checked.

GrinAndTonic · 29/10/2015 10:32

Black poo is caused from iron supplements and black tarry sticky poo is caused by GI bleeding and is not something you ignore. I would get yourself to the doctor.

Original poster
StillMedusa · 29/10/2015 10:34

Wow quick responses thank you. Damn it. I will make a docs appointment. Not that 'urgent' is a concept at the practice I go to. Two weeks time if I am really lucky !

OP posts:
Floundering · 29/10/2015 10:37

A lot of doctors do have appointments on the day that the booking system on releases that morning, ring as soon as it opens tomorrow morning & get one that day with either the GP or the Nurse Practitioner

ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 29/10/2015 10:39

You need to get seen today , explain the situation? Or what I'd say is "rang NHS direct and they said I need to be seen urgently today".
I had this - again no worse symptoms and it was a bleeding ulcer and I needed a blood transfusion. Wasn't until I had it I realised how poorly I'd actually been feeling if that makes sense? They can test a sample :) Flowers hope it gets sorted

Anastasie · 29/10/2015 10:42

Unless you have been eating a lot of Oreos or something, I think it's probably best to get checked out.

They will take it seriously. Mention on the phone that you have blood in your bowel movements and they ought to class it as urgent.

gamerchick · 29/10/2015 10:43

Seen today is alien these days. I've got an appointment for the end of November.

You do need it seeing to though but I would probably inspect further poos for a few days first.

ColderThanAWitchsMammaries · 29/10/2015 10:46

Not to alarm you but when I had that the GP called an ambulance and wouldn't even let me make own way to hospital.

Please explain and get seen today.

Pancakeflipper · 29/10/2015 10:48

You should get it checked out but there's foods and products that can cause black poo.
I know Peto bismol made me do black poo (sorry over-sharing)

Hornydilemma · 29/10/2015 10:50

Guinness (stout), red wine, and iron supplements are usual non worrying causes of black poo - you don't sound like you have any of these so I would get checked out really quickly if I were you.

ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 29/10/2015 16:30

Hope you've got checked out OP? Flowers

Original poster
StillMedusa · 30/10/2015 01:27

Not yet :/ NO last minute appointments available (I tried) I'm away all weekend, but as it happens I am visiting my newly qualified DD1... who is a doctor so I will ask her, and then get myself to the GP asap when I'm back.

I've been unwell with a virus or something all week... feel knackered with a headache and sore throat so maybe it's related. My poo is 'sticky' for want of a better word so I will take a (yuk!) sample with me...

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 30/10/2015 01:39

Tarry poo is not a good sign. Have you been taking any pain relief in the last few days?

I think you should call 111 or at least your surgery again in the morning and say it can't wait.

Anastasie · 30/10/2015 08:46

Yes please stop taking any medication unless essential - ibuprofen can cause bleeding - you may have an ulder and frankly if you can't get seen today you ought to present yourself at A&E, because this is, IMO, an emergency situation.

Anastasie · 30/10/2015 08:47

*ulcer sorry ds3 trying to BF

rainydaygrey · 30/10/2015 08:50

When will you see your DD? If it's not this am, then please go to A&E anyway. Otherwise you may well end up there regardless, and it could be rather busy on a Friday evening.

JustinsBeaver · 30/10/2015 08:50

You really ought to be seen Medusa . Hopefully it's fine but those symtoms can be indicate less pleasant things.

ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 30/10/2015 11:52

Hope your getting sorted, if you rang DD and told her I'm sure she'd say the same :)

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 30/10/2015 11:53

Not sure why you are ignoring people who say this could be very serious and need hospitalisation Confused

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 30/10/2015 11:54

GP did call ambulance when I had this and wouldn't even let me walk about

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 30/10/2015 11:54

Sorry.I scare because I care.

ConfusedInBath · 30/10/2015 12:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 30/10/2015 12:44

OP , phone NHS24 and seek advice. They may well get you an appointment sooner/refer you to hospital.