Page 2 | Black stools and been sent to A&E what to expect? **possibly TMI***

TiredmumwithMS · 2025-04-15T16:02:37+00:00

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?

NewAgeNewMe · 17/04/2025 09:33

good luck. I’ve remembered SiL had rectal bleeding and hers was caused by a medium size polyp which she’s now had removed.

Britneyfan · 17/04/2025 09:41

I’m a GP and just in response to the comments about it being the GP’s role to investigate, I’ll say that I would also have definitely sent you to A and E for this, not least because the wait for an endoscopy which is likely what’s needed is at least 9 months, and black stool like this can mean you are actively and significantly bleeding from the upper GI area (nobody wants to be the GP splashed all over the headlines for not taking it seriously when someone was bleeding to death from a stomach ulcer, and having that on your conscience). I also think that 10
years ago they’d have admitted you for this too for urgent investigations such as an endoscopy as an inpatient for sure, but I appreciate everything is under so much more pressure these days so not unreasonable of them to have sent you home if not horribly anaemic and not in pain especially if it’s settling for now, for outpatient investigations down the line (but please remember they have access to urgent on the day blood results there which your GP would not have had the benefit of, so would be able to know if you’re significantly anaemic or not which likely would have made a difference whether they admitted you).

MissyB1 · 17/04/2025 10:16

Britneyfan · 17/04/2025 09:41

I’m a GP and just in response to the comments about it being the GP’s role to investigate, I’ll say that I would also have definitely sent you to A and E for this, not least because the wait for an endoscopy which is likely what’s needed is at least 9 months, and black stool like this can mean you are actively and significantly bleeding from the upper GI area (nobody wants to be the GP splashed all over the headlines for not taking it seriously when someone was bleeding to death from a stomach ulcer, and having that on your conscience). I also think that 10
years ago they’d have admitted you for this too for urgent investigations such as an endoscopy as an inpatient for sure, but I appreciate everything is under so much more pressure these days so not unreasonable of them to have sent you home if not horribly anaemic and not in pain especially if it’s settling for now, for outpatient investigations down the line (but please remember they have access to urgent on the day blood results there which your GP would not have had the benefit of, so would be able to know if you’re significantly anaemic or not which likely would have made a difference whether they admitted you).

I would hope you would the GI protocols/guidelines from your local Gastro team, or use their advice and guidance service, or ring /email them. But setting eyes on the patient to assess them is the important thing that did not happen here. Telephone appointments are not always appropriate.

Gloriia · 17/04/2025 12:14

TiredmumwithMS · 15/04/2025 18:01

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

Please put a complaint in at some point this absolutely did not necessitate a&e wasting their time and yours. Your gp should've seen you, examined you checked BP and sent bloods off then referred you for tests.

What on earth is going on with GPs nowadays that they send everyone to a&e without even the most cursory of examinations. Yes of course black poo can indicate bleeding but the first port of call is to be seen by the GP. Good luck anyway!

Gloriia · 17/04/2025 12:20

Britneyfan · 17/04/2025 09:41

I’m a GP and just in response to the comments about it being the GP’s role to investigate, I’ll say that I would also have definitely sent you to A and E for this, not least because the wait for an endoscopy which is likely what’s needed is at least 9 months, and black stool like this can mean you are actively and significantly bleeding from the upper GI area (nobody wants to be the GP splashed all over the headlines for not taking it seriously when someone was bleeding to death from a stomach ulcer, and having that on your conscience). I also think that 10
years ago they’d have admitted you for this too for urgent investigations such as an endoscopy as an inpatient for sure, but I appreciate everything is under so much more pressure these days so not unreasonable of them to have sent you home if not horribly anaemic and not in pain especially if it’s settling for now, for outpatient investigations down the line (but please remember they have access to urgent on the day blood results there which your GP would not have had the benefit of, so would be able to know if you’re significantly anaemic or not which likely would have made a difference whether they admitted you).

You should see your patient, examine them and check their observations. Then you'd send bloods off for a hb check whilst referring to gastro, you would then tell the patient to seek further advice if they became unwell whilst waiting for an opa.
I'm surprised you don't know this.
A&E is not a GPs overflow department. You see them first. How on earth can you tell anything over the phone?!

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 17/04/2025 12:24

Do you take iron supplements or a multivitamin with iron in it? That can give you black poo. And if you're eating less it might be more likely to do so - higher concentration of iron in a smaller amount of food waste iyswim. I take a multivit with iron. It stopped causing black poo after a while, but when I tried intermittent fasting it did it again.