Black stools : Hi was wondering if... - British Liver Trust

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Black stools

Petrina_gmfc profile image
20 Replies

Hi was wondering if anyone has had black stools when you go to the toilet feeling sick and in a lot of pain in your stomach l have cirrhosis of the liver through medication that I was on .

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Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc
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20 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

Black, tarry stool is a red flag symptom and needs urgent hospital attention as it potentially indicates an ongoing internal bleed. Do not ignore this, get to a&e.

Best wishes, Katie

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toAyrshireK

Thanks Katie for that

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

From BLT page on cirrhosis:-

If you have any of the following symptoms you must see a doctor straight away, especially if you have recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis:

fever with high temperatures and shivers, often caused by an infection

shortness of breath

vomiting blood

very dark or black tarry stools (faeces)

periods of mental confusion or drowsiness.

Although these symptoms may seem very different, because your liver is responsible for so many different functions, if it stops working properly, a range of problems can result.

Millie09 profile image
Millie09

Hi petrina. I second what Katie has said, please don't ignore your symptoms

Trip to a&e , try not to worry but this needs to be sorted

My best wishes

Linda

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toMillie09

I have been to my doctor's with it she was going to call up my doctor that I see for my liver and see if I can get the camera test done again quickly

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toPetrina_gmfc

Glad you've already seen the GP ,but I really wouldn't wait until they sort out any appt with your hepatologist.. it could take a few weeks yet just don't leave things to chance ,especially where possible internal bleeding may be concerned .I'm not trying to worry you at all , just making you aware of the importance.

Keep us posted

Linda

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toMillie09

I will keep you posted thanks again .

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toPetrina_gmfc

Most welcome, yes please do My best wishes

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955

My private consultant is a professor.

He said if I ever get black tarry stools I must immediatly go to A&E and not my GP.

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toRoy1955

Hi what do you mean tarry stools

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toRoy1955

Hi just back from the hospital I have to stop my iron tablets and up my reflux tablets and I have to go back to the hospital

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toPetrina_gmfc

Hi petrina .Glad you went to the hospital.

So I take it there's no internal bleeding then, your iron tablets obviously causing some sort of problem

When do you have to go back ?

I hope you are feeling a bit better

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toMillie09

I don't go back if I have any problems I have to go back

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toPetrina_gmfc

Oh I see , well fingers crossed you don't get any more problems

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955

Look sticky and as black as tar.

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toRoy1955

They are not sticky

Yellowsydney profile image
Yellowsydney

Go to a&e NOW, this is an emergency, I had black tarry poo, an hour later I vomited up nearly all the blood in my body, if I hadn't been in hospital at the time I would have died. I may be less serious but don't take the risk.Hilary xx

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply toYellowsydney

Ok

granof8 profile image
granof8

Hi - have you started taking iron tablets? They make your stools black. Just a thought

Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc in reply togranof8

Yes but the doctor said it is not that

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