Black/partly black stools - awaiting colonoscopy appt.

Digestive health
1

Hi all,

After some reassurance whilst waiting on a date for my colonoscopy.

Although I have been suffering with bloating and indigestion for quite some time (talking years), I have recently decided I needed to attempt to cut lactose thinking it was part of the issue, but my symptoms continued.

I have a 4 month old newborn and a almost 3 yr old, so put my fatigue and needing to sleep down to that, and the warm weather.

However, last week I caught a haemorrhoid with tissue paper and it bled. When I looked at it, there was white mucus. So, I decided to keep a close eye because I have been struggling with my toilet habits…

In a nutshell I need to be around a toilet all the time as I feel constipated and not quite empty, but when I go it just happens really quickly, almost as if I have diarrhoea, but the stools are formed and not loose - if that makes sense? Anyway, I decided to keep an eye. I had a bit of a shock when I seen my stool was very very dark. So as grim as it sounds, I took a photo. Two hours later I needed to go again - this time the stools looked different, the toilet water was a dark brown and there was foam/bubbles around the edge.

I know haemorrhoids can cause bright red blood, but my stools are so dark it looks like old blood.

I contacted my GP yesterday, I have to do a sample tomorrow, as well as have bloods taken, and I will need to await an appointment for a colonoscopy.

I also suffer with a bit of pain and discomfort on my lower right hand side, and severe flatulence.

Can any of you tell me if this sounds like IBD? It is what my doctor wants checking?

Thanks in advance for any advice :slight_smile:

Cate, 32, UK

2

Hiya, have you been tested for coeliac disease?
My partner had pretty much the same symptoms and was tested for it which is a a simple blood test and it came back positive.
Definitely have a look into it as it sounds possible.
My cat actually has IBD and it causes a lot of rectal bleeding and diarrhoea.
You mentioned cutting out lactose, i cut out dairy and my digestive system improved so much!

Hope you get some answers soon and good luck with the colonoscopy they are absolutely fine.
Rachael (also in the uk =

3

Hi Rachael,

No I haven’t been tested actually. I just always assumed that’s one thing I would be sure of having if I had it, ya know? I should have my blood test results on Monday or Tuesday; not sure when my stool sample results come back, but fingers crossed I get some answers soon.

The bloating has been a factor for around 10 years at least. … but all my symptoms have gotten worse since the end of April.

I will continue to cut dairy I think! How is your partner coping?

Thanks for replying,

Cate

4

I know what you mean. My partner saw an improvement in his symptoms in the first week of cutting out gluten. He was really skeptical about the whole thing despite testing positive but seeing such quick improvement it has really encouraged him to keep at it.
I find taking a good probiotic really helpful for my bloating and digestive issues. I have ibs and slow bowel motility and take acidophilus and it has helped a lot with the uncomfortable bloating.
Fingers crossed you get some answers soon!
Rachael

5

Thank you :slight_smile: To be honest I don’t eat a huge amount of gluten, but I will try to exclude it completely.

Hoping I know more this coming week x