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Original poster

Blood in diarrhoea - what do I do?

41 replies

pleasebeokkk · 01/07/2022 21:46

I had a rumbling stomach and the feeling of urgently needing to go to the loo earlier, but I was an hour away from home so had to wait until I got in. I went to the toilet and first I passed a normal poo, followed by some watery diarrhea that was like complete liquid. I had stomach cramps and had awful cold sweating and the feeling like I was going to pass out. I felt ok afterwards, then around half an hour later I felt the need to go to the loo again and this time it was a small amount of bright red soft poo and when I wiped the tissue was pink, like it is at the start of a period.

I feel ok now, no stomach ache and I still have an appetite. I'm not sure what to do, whether I need to call 111 or just see how it goes? Can I wait until Monday to speak to my GP?

I'm in my 20s, only medication I'm on is sertraline and the only thing I've eaten today is a packaged salad and some toast. I don't eat meat.

OP posts:
YourLittleSecret · 01/07/2022 21:49

Don't ring 111. Sounds like you ate something dodgy or have a bug. If it continues tomorrow you could get something from a pharmacy. If still bad Monday ring GP.
Drink lots.

MeridianGrey · 01/07/2022 21:51

It can’t do any harm to ring 111 for advice, that’s what they are for. Either way make sure it is followed up, you shouldn’t have blood in your poo.

Joyfultoes · 01/07/2022 21:52

You did a bright red poo? Or there was some blood in your poo? Latter sounds normal with a bug but fOrmer sounds very odd

Mememene · 01/07/2022 21:53

Call 111, they can refer you to an out of hours doctor.

If you see blood in your poo, it's probably nothing but don't ignore it. Either call 111 today or your GP on Monday.

SQLserved · 01/07/2022 21:55

Actually you should ring 111, as directed by the NHS website:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bleeding-from-the-bottom-rectal-bleeding/

“Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

your poo is black or dark red

you have bloody diarrhoea for no obvious reason”

I hope you feel better soon @pleasebeokkk

Original poster
pleasebeokkk · 01/07/2022 21:55

Joyfultoes · 01/07/2022 21:52

You did a bright red poo? Or there was some blood in your poo? Latter sounds normal with a bug but fOrmer sounds very odd

On the Bristol stool chart it would be type 6 which was red in colour (a bright red/postbox kind of red), it was only a small amount at the bottom of the toilet so was hard to see whether it was just mixed in or completely red, but it was definitely red in colour

OP posts:
Original poster
pleasebeokkk · 01/07/2022 23:57

It’s happened again, a small amount bright red blood. I’ll ring 111 in the morningg

OP posts:
justasking111 · 02/07/2022 00:01

Bright red sounds like piles. You can get sick from a salad. Try not to worry.

Wouldloveanother · 02/07/2022 00:04

I wouldn’t panic about this. If my loo habits hadn’t gone back to normal in about a week I would call the GP but it just sounds like food poisoning or a tummy bug. Drink lots of water!

Justwingingit2005 · 02/07/2022 00:06

I had something similar. Had to hold it in and then had blood in it.
Dr told me something holding it in can irritate.
I did a FIT test and a blood test for anaemia and Dr said all was OK.

b0wser · 02/07/2022 00:08

Don't panic tonight over one instance.

It could be anything, piles, fissure, infection.

See how you are tomorrow and keep a very close eye on all bowel movements and take it from there.

But there would be nothing atall wrong with seeing the GP for reassurance if you are worried.

Original poster
pleasebeokkk · 02/07/2022 00:55

Thank you all, I really appreciate it. I’m trying not to panic. I think the fact I had diarrhoea before the bleeding started and felt dizzy and faint is making me think it is some kind of food poisoning or infection that has then caused the bleeding afterwards. The only thing is I feel fine, no stomach ache or nausea and a normal appetite. Can food poisoning cause just one bad bout of diarrhoea?

OP posts:
b0wser · 02/07/2022 01:00

pleasebeokkk · 02/07/2022 00:55

Thank you all, I really appreciate it. I’m trying not to panic. I think the fact I had diarrhoea before the bleeding started and felt dizzy and faint is making me think it is some kind of food poisoning or infection that has then caused the bleeding afterwards. The only thing is I feel fine, no stomach ache or nausea and a normal appetite. Can food poisoning cause just one bad bout of diarrhoea?

In my experience food poisoning has given me a good 24 hours of miserable vomiting and/or diarrhoea, never just one bout then that's it.

That's not to say it isn't just a bit of a funny tummy though, it might not be foot poisoning but just something a little past it's best or didn't agree with you.

b0wser · 02/07/2022 01:01

Food * Grin

ihateendometriosis · 02/07/2022 01:14

Sertraline is notorious for causing diarrhoea too. Obviously it won't happen with everybody and it depends on how long you've been taking it, dosage etc. but I had to come off it due to it causing diarrhoea. I would inform the doctor tomorrow about this just incase x

ApplesinmyPocket · 02/07/2022 02:16

Oh poor OP, how worrying, but hopefully this will be of some comfort to you: I took my child (6) out for the day and just as we left we went to the loo, and she passed pure blood. I felt dizzy and sick with panic but managed to drive the 50 miles home. Called the GP as soon as I got home and he asked a few questions, 'how did she seem in herself' etc (she seemed fine) and said it sounded like food poisoning, and to call again in the morning if nothing/anything changed. (I could hardly believe he was so calm about it, but.. again, that is reassuring, hopefully.)

In the morning she passed a little more brownish bloody stuff and that was an end to it.

I'm hoping all will end the same for you. Packaged salad I believe is notorious for causing food poisoning.

Catclown · 02/07/2022 02:18

Have you eaten anything with red dye? Like beetroot or cranberries or similar?

If it happens again see if you can take a pic, sounds gross but could help the dr to see iykwim?

Is your bum sore? Like when you wipe or sit down? That could indicate piles or a small tear but these could also not cause any pain.

If its lile coffee grounds and dark then I would phone 111.

Try and not worry though, hard I know but it could be many reasons and the feeling faint and sweating while on the toilet is more common that you would imagine, to do with the vagus nerve and straining.

Monty27 · 02/07/2022 03:00

Could be a fizzure as you had to hold it in for a while.

Joyfultoes · 02/07/2022 10:45

Campylobacter gave me horrific diarrhoea but a normal appetite. Was really annoying

i really don’t think you need out of ours care for a small amount of red blood in poo. If it’s bright red it’s coming from near the exit as it were so likely irritation, a tear or piles

Mememene · 02/07/2022 10:56

Joyfultoes · 02/07/2022 10:45

Campylobacter gave me horrific diarrhoea but a normal appetite. Was really annoying

i really don’t think you need out of ours care for a small amount of red blood in poo. If it’s bright red it’s coming from near the exit as it were so likely irritation, a tear or piles

There is no harm at all in calling 111, if they think you don't need out of hours care they won't refer you.

Blood in poo and I've had it more times than I can remember is normally harmless especially when red. Fissures or piles from straining, diahorrea is really common.

BUT - my son had it many years ago and it was an intussusception he was in surgery the next day.

I don't wish to scaremonger, blood in poo is so very common, and normally nothing at all but I'd never advise against calling 111 it's what they are there for so they can assess and refer if it's needed. Plus it can just be reassurance that ti's nothing to worry about which can help enormously.

alexdgr8 · 02/07/2022 12:20

exactly.
hopefully, by now OP has indeed called 111 and has made some progress.
hope you are ok OP.

alexdgr8 · 02/07/2022 12:20

exactly.
hopefully, by now OP has indeed called 111 and has made some progress.
hope you are ok OP.

alexdgr8 · 02/07/2022 12:20

exactly.
hopefully, by now OP has indeed called 111 and has made some progress.
hope you are ok OP.

Original poster
pleasebeokkk · 02/07/2022 16:45

I've not had the courage to call 111 yet, I know it's silly but I have a really stressful work day on Monday and I just can't face it all at the moment. :(

I've been too nervous to eat all day as I don't want to go to the loo again in case there's more blood, but I've just eaten some plain toast. My stomach has felt quite rumbly and bloated today so I'm hoping it's just an upset stomach from eating something that doesn't agree with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
pleasebeokkk · 02/07/2022 21:39

So far I've not had another bowel movement today so not sure if there's still blood but hoping it was just a one off. I did have to hold it in for over an hour so hoping that's what caused the blood. After some googling though I think it wasn't bloody diarrhoea but bloody mucus or at least the consistency of mucus. I feel so anxious about it

OP posts: