Red stool :-(

[Moominmama0]

I'm currently freaking out right now. I had a red stool earlier and red mucus which I can only assume is blood. I don't know if I should ring 111 or call GP tomorrow? Of course I'm thinking the worst. I am so scared. I have children.

I have been taking some elderberry syrup but I can't see anywhere that would cause red stools. The fact that there's also the bloody mucus I don't think it would be that.

Try not to panic.
I once spent a whole 13 months waiting for a colonoscopy after bleeding so much the toilet water was so red I couldn’t even see the bottom of the toilet. The reason for the wait was because the faecal calprotectin test was normal, as was my colonoscopy, despite bleeding the whole time every bowel movement.

If the syrup is new it is likely that, it works as a laxative so the extra mucus could be in response to the speed everything has gone through. Wait for a GP appointment, 111 won’t be able to immediately help in this instance as you need stool sample results.

Stop the syrup and see if everything returns to normal.

Of course, if it gets worse today ring 111 otherwise ring the GP tomorrow and they will do a test of your faeces and may do blood tests. They do take this type of thing very seriously.

If you are going for a colonoscopy, your are told not to take any red or purple coloured drinks prior to it as it can stain your colon and mimic blood. So, even if it doesn't say on the bottle it might be something to do with your elderberry syrup.

You haven't had any beetroot have you?

The most likely cause of this is either piles or an anal fissure, neither of which are concerning.

There's no need to phone 111. Just make an appointment with your GP or nurse practitioner.

Thanks everyone, that helps a bit. I made he elderberry syrup myself and only been taking it for the last week.
I have had some bloating / constipation last couple of weeks ago but that's kind of normal for me as I have IBS.

My dh was literally bleeding from his backside recently, it was a pile - something grim had happened to it. Go cut a v long story short he had a colonoscopy within a few weeks and all was fine - he’s got bad internal piles but that’s it.