I think I might have an upper GI bleed somewhere because my stools are raven black with a grayish tinge, kinda resembling tar. This all started this morning but I think that within in a day, it has even gotten worse because now I can even see blood. Has anyone experienced the same thing and is it associated to Lyme? I have had lyme, babesia, and bartonella for 3+ years so it wouldn't surprise me. Also, has anyone experienced the same thing who has lyme but it turns out it wasn't associated? I would really appreciate any replies. I know I'm not dying and also am aware that if I went to see a doctor about this tomorrow (Sunday), it would be the ER and they would just tell me to follow up with my primary doc. But I have to admit, this is starting to freak me out.
Thanks, K-lyme
Posted by breathwork (Member # 567) on :
Blood in the stool can indicate several conditions, however black tarry stools with even more blood in them today indicates an active bleed somewhere in your GI tract.
Please see your physician, a GI doc or head to an ER today. An uncontrolled GI bleed can become rapidly life threatening.
And, let us know how you are doing!
Carol Ann
Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :
I would go to the ER.
Let us know what happens.
DLL
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
They can do a test for blood in the stool at the Emergency Room or at the doctor's office. You can also buy stuff for this at the drugstore.
You'll probably get orders for a bowel xray. For this to be effective, you'll need to do a "bowel prep," which means you'll take a series of laxatives to purge all matter from the bowels. Otherwise the xrays cannot visualize the small and the large intestines properly.
So....if you go to the ER for this, they can test the stool for blood, but they won't be able to do a proper bowel xray, as you have not had a bowel prep.
Huh, if you go to the ER, you may as well plan to start handing out hundred dollar bills when you walk in the door. It's expensive.
At this point, this is not life threatening, although it is urgent that you see your doctor.
Black tarry stool means the blood is digested. Blood and mucous that are visible are from lower in the bowel, and have not had a chance to be digested. That might be from colitis, not sure.
You could even phone the drugstore and ask what they have available to test for blood in the stool. Although from your description, you will most likely test positive for blood.
However, if you should start to vomit blood, THAT is life threatening, and you should get to the Emergency Room immediately.
So....plan on spending Monday at the doctor's. Plan on getting prepped for a bowel xray, what fun. (The last bowel prep I had was for a kidney xray...the xray itself is a breeze.)
Good luck, and keep us posted. Carol
Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :
I vote for the ER today...It could be many things..And somewhere I have read of this before..Perhaps you could do a search..I think some supplements can cause some of this..
Posted by nomoremuscles (Member # 9560) on :
Hi k-lyme,
Do you have any food sensitivities?
Have you taken any new meds, herbs, or supps?
Have you taken any charcoal?
Is there anything at all over the past few days that may explain this?
The reason I ask is because by gut is severely messed up, and, in the past, I've had what you described. In my case it seemed to be triggered by something, and would resolve itself over a course of several days, but that is not to say yours will be the same. At the time my gut was so bad, and had been for so long, that this was just another in a continuing series of oddities.
I would certainly call the doc.
And if you can find no possible reason for this to have happened, and if you are very upset, and feel uncomfortable waiting to see doc, then I would go to the ER.
Sorry I could not be more helpful.
Posted by mimi (Member # 6680) on :
K-Lyme I really have no medical advice except to say Carol usually knows all this stuff just wanted to say I am sorry and I would be freaked out too Take care of yourself and let us know mimi
Posted by Monica (Member # 224) on :
Most folks here are way more knowledgeable than I am.
Some medications can cause changes in the stool. This might be something you should consider as well.
Posted by MagicAcorn (Member # 8786) on :
The ER - now!
Blood in the stool is nothing to ignore.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I do hope you went to the ER! Waiting to hear how you're doing! Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
How are you doing K-lyme? Did you go to the ER or talk to a doctor?
Even if there is another explanation, that doesn't mean you know it's not a bleed. Certain things should always get check out by a medical professional ASAP - those included blood in any form of discharge like stool, urine, cough or vomit, and chest pain that could be heart.
Posted by k-lyme (Member # 5574) on :
Hi everybody,
Well, what ever is going on with me is definitely wierd. I went to the doctor Monday and was having black stools off and on that day. Anyway, I got violated with a guaiac test that came up negative for blood, and my doctor was looking at me like I made all of this up. Well the next day, instead of having black stools, I have red chunky stools and the chunks look like blood clots. My doctor basically said that without a positive guaiac test, nobody was really going to do anything for me. My personal opinion is that unless you are having a continuous bleed, which obviously I am not, the guaiac test is useless.
Anyway, just an update, we'll see what happens.
K-lyme
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
Go to a different healthcare provider asap.
Find a good MD, or ND, homeopath -- personal reference and skill is key, moreso than the letters after their name. -- a doctor who looks for the cause of issues.
I would not trust anyone who would ignore this!
I would find someone very good (not necessarily a GI Doc, anyone very good could refer you to where you need to go if need be) and get in for an emergency appt.
Mo
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Gee, have they ever heard of a colonoscopy? I'd find another dr!
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Take care of yourself and let us know ![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)