Question:
This may be gross, so get ready...it's about Stools.

Hi friends. I am 8months postop today (exactly 8 months today) and I have a problem, I think. This morning and yesterday morning when I used the bathroom, the color was a very very dark brown. Almost black, like VERY VERY dark brown. This morning afterwards it hurt...so it wasn't diahreah, it was "normal" consistency. This is just gross! Anyway, about 2hrs ago I went again, and it was the same color, AND it had blood in it. My question is, could I be bleeding on the inside, thus making this color come out? I am not having any pains in my tummy at all...it's like this afternoon I have had a very upset stomach, it's rumbling and growling, but nothing that hurts, at all. (YET-crosses fingers...) Is this normal, or should I be concerned? The blood this afternoon was the first time it's happened, and I really think it was because of pain, because I hurt again after I went this afternoon so maybe some tissue was ripped or something? Thoughts??? Thanks in advance! Sorry for the gross post!    — Craig A. (posted on June 22, 2002)

June 22, 2002
Craig, I'm not sure if you ever noticed...but sometimes your stool can be very dark after taking pepto-bismol, Immodium AD, or something similar. IF this isn't the case for you...call your doctor as soon as possible. It can be a sign if a GI bleed. GI bleed symptoms can be "coffee-ground" like vommit or black stool. GI blood is usually very dark in color...just like you described. Please call your doctor soon. Good luck to you.
   — Kelly C.

June 22, 2002
This most certainly could be blood coming from your GI tract. You need to see your doctor as soon as possible, or go to the emergency room now if you develop light-headedness, fainting, or difficulty breathing. There are several things that can cause you to have blood in your stool without pain. Ulcers can be painless, as well as diffuse inflammation in the stomach, bleeding polyps/tumors, blood vessel malformations, etc. Please get this evaluated as soon as possible.
   — Sheri K.

June 22, 2002
Craig, Seeing blood in your stool can be a frightening thing. Anytime you have blood in your stool you should be concerned. It's not a normal event. However, sometimes blood in your stool could be from a hemmoroid inside or outside your rectum (I had one up inside that bled visibly and hurt only twice when I went)and sometimes it could be an even greater problem. Definately contact your doctor about this one.
   — Danna B.

June 23, 2002
Sounds like you may have hemroids. Dark color stool is actually blood. When you urinate does it hurt. Make sure you don't have kidney infection this can cause strange back pains and abdominal cramps. Did they do a test on your gallbladder befor you had surgery. anyways those are your possible choices. OOps Forgot to say this BLEEDING ULCER
   — sheri B.