Black stools and been sent to A&E what to expect? **possibly TMI***

[TiredmumwithMS]

Hello
I spoke to a GP as I have been having black poo and they have sent me to A&E. I’m on my way now. I have anxiety. What should I expect to happen when I get there? What tests will they do?

Don't know OP. Whatever they are I'm sending u my best wishes

I had that and the doctor suspected it was a stomach ulcer. I wasn't sent to A&E but was told to come off a painkiller I was on and to take Omeprazole every day.

(My doctor had been giving me Diclofenac for arthritis without anything to protect my stomach - hence the ulcer.)

It essentially means you're likely bleeding slowly from somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract, like from an ulcer. Not sure why they sent you to A&E rather than refer you for endoscopy/colonoscopy. Are you in severe pain?

How do they find out if it is cause by an upper? What tests would that involve? I’m getting myself into a panic and want to be prepared for what tests they’ll do x

No and I was expecting to be referred and that’s it 🤷🏻‍♀️

The way a&e is currently, half of me thinks you'll be sent away to see your GP for a referral.

However when I worked at a&e 7 years ago, you'd have bloods/cannula and a doctor exam including a PR exam (rectal). Depending on what your bloods say, you'd be discharged and advised to see GP for gastro referral or admitted for further testing.

to expect - a long wait

black stool can be from a bleed - but sldo from diet (beetroot, black kale) or iron supplements.

I haven’t had anything like beetroot etc. I have had dark chocolate?
two weeks ago I started an 800 calorie a day low carb diet and started exercising ever day and that’s the only change really

800 calories every day? I do intermittent fasting but make sure I eat a decent amount on the other days.

good luck.

Good luck op! Make yourself comfortable for a wait.

To the previous poster - 800 calories a day ("fast 800") is an established dieting approach by Michael Moseley.

I did the Michael Moseley 500 intermittent fasting, is the 800 instead of that or is it daily? As I’m getting older I’m struggling more on the 500 IF and do 600 or sometimes 700. 800 is more doable. I don’t know if I could do it daily.

Good luck op 💐

Have you drank Red wine?

It looks like I’m being sent back to the GP as I’m not in pain. I suppose I’m hoping for reassurance as my anxiety is now all over the place!

No. I’ve never drunk it, it makes me sick!

Are you taking a multivitamin with iron?

Did you have an appt with your GP or did you just "speak to a GP" like a friend? I'm surprised a GP would send you to A&E without referring you for blood tests etc first. How old was the GP? If young, perhaps inexperienced.

I'm surprised the GP sent you to A&E. They should have done a PR (finger in your bum), bloods, and a referral to Gastro.

I spoke to a GP on the phone as in a telephone appointment not a friend

I'm not medical but if there are no other symptoms (how long have you had black poo?) then I think the role of a GP is to do investigative procedures first.

I don't think this is an A&E matter at all. Am I wrong?

Have you been taking ibuprofen? I was told to go by 111 a few weeks ago. I'd been very ill with flu and the ibuprofen had caused a bleed in my stomach. Diagnosed very quickly and sent home with no invasive checks!

I think you’re right. I didn’t think I should go to A&E but I didn’t question a GP. I’m back home and will contact the GP tomorrow again!

How have you been?

Having seen patients come in with black poo in hospitals that then go on to have a huge bleed I would not want to be sent home. I think your GP acted appropriately and would have sent you it too. Takes 6 months to get an urgent endoscopy where I am.

GP has asked for FIT sample and bloods and has referred to gastro. He does think that I should go back to A& E if I get pain though. Thank you for asking x