Stool scare- don't open if you cant handle

Black tarry stools are an indication of blood. Glad you're getting it checked out. Please let us know your outcome. Praying for you!!

Thank you all for the prayers and comments. It wasn't blood they did a test with dye, but instead the doctor believes it could be from the senna I took the night before to get myself moving in the poo department. I've never noticed odd coloring before after the tea but who knows

They did another x-ray (pictured below) as well as going back and viewing an old xray. My old doctor said I was constipated based on viewing a large dark mass to where my left sided pain is. Last night after the doctor had 2 others look at my x-rays as well they determined it's not stool at all, but air. My intestines are basically being blown up like a balloon in the left side there.  I also have air all through my abdomen. There is something going on inside my intestines, and I will require followup, but for now was given Malox, Zantac, and something used for irritable bowel syndrome.

  He said I may have too much acid causing the air. Or a possibility of an ulcer, and recommended in writing that my primary doctor for an immediate referral to bariatric surgeon as well as further testing to look inside.

Also suspecting a hernia but it doesn't show on xray. So who knows I guess. At least I'm feeling better today than I have in the past week. The IBS medicine is making me drowsy but I do feel less irritated in that area.

In addition I had blood work he said a few things were low but not concerning (not sure what was low). My pancreas, liver and kidneys are good. I'll need to go to the records department next week to pick up a copy for myself.

I almost forgot, my blood pressure was high again for me 159/102 and the Dr believes it goes up when my body is hurting and that maybe that's where my shaky spells and lightheaded and headaches work it's way in as well. This is the 3rd recorded time this year that it's been high. I'm usually lower not higher.   I will be seeing my primary next week.

below is the x-ray...
all of the dark spots I was told is "air" he said I'm full of air. The one circled is where my pains have been.  Pictured here I wasn't in severe pain, so I can only imagine how big it gets when It flairs up. Anyone else experience this? If so what helped you? I just want relieve, a long term solution.



 

Some of your symptoms are like mine.  I do have a huge hernia that is scheduled to be repaired in August.  However, I keep having pains and last night I almost went to the emergency room.  I called the surgeon's office, and they are seeing me on Friday, since today I'm absolutely fine.  It comes and goes.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.  If I have anything like what you have, I'll let you know so that we can compare notes.  Good luck.  Carol

Is your pain on the left side as well? Mine only happens on the left where the intestinal area is. It's been happening off and on since shortly after my daughter was born (she's 3 1/2 now).

It first started out gradually and would last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours and not happen for another month or two. In the last year and a half or so it's gotten much worse, happens more often, and  it lasts much longer. I had one spell where it lasted 5 days and that area was bulging out.  I can have 2 bad days followed by a good day then it'll start all over, or I'll have a good week and then a bad week. It's difficult to plan anything because in the back of my mind I always wonder if that will be a good or bad day for me.

The feeling is never completely gone, but sometimes It's mild more irritating than anything, and I can just tolerate it and go about my day. Other times It interferes with my daily activities and I don't want to move around and cant get comfortable, I've also had nauseous, lightheaded/ dizzy spells when it's at it's worse.

Mine is worst on the left, but when it gets really bad, it's my entire abdominal area.  I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow to see what's up.  I've decided since last night, that it gets worse when I eat gas-inducing carbs like quinoa.  I've also had nauseous, lightheaded spells when it's bad.  I don't think I could stand this for 3-1/2 years!  I'll let you know if/when we find out what my problem is just in case it can help you in any way.  Could be something totally different.  It's difficult not knowing how to fix it, isn't it?

Wow, I hope you get to the bottom of it. Mine is mainly the left side, not the whole abdomen. I had a doctor tell me he was sure it was my gall bladder, but I've already had that removed years ago. I do remember the pains of the gall bladder attacks when I was younger and that caused lightheaded and nauseous spells as well, and I would throw up too. 

Please keep up updated. Will continue to pray!

Thank you, and I will. The er doctor last night is the first one to actually show me my xray. He printed a copy for me to take and explained it to me. He said he's heard good things about my new primary doctor, so I hope he's right. With all of this I just hope we find a solution and if it could possibly help anyone else in this situation It's worth updating on.