Black poo....help
#33657 - 12/24/03 04:35 PM
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I called my doc about the blood in my tush...and I also told him about my black stool. Didn't know the black stools were so crucial! He told me to get Zantac and he wants to see me tom...even thou his office isn't opened!
I just had an upper edoscopy a few weeks ago...so what could possibly be wrong? I thought those tests ruled out ulcers and IBD? Could it be something else? I'm a bit worried...any thoughts to calm my fears?
Thank everyone!
*hugs*
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Hi Ruchie - Don't panic, I'm sure you're going to be just fine.  The black poo is a concern because that can mean bleeding within your GI tract. The bright red blood in poo usually just means hemorrhoids, which isn't such a big deal. Bleeding that occurs earlier in the gut can signal bigger problems though, and that's why your doc wants to check things out. IBD isn't always caught with an upper endoscopy, so that's probably on his list, and I think it's a sign of a great doc that he wants to be extra careful to make sure you're okay.
Hugs for you,
Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Ruchie - sorry you're having such a tough time!  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Let us know how you make out. What time is your appt?
At least you do have a good doc that is taking care of you even on his day off. 
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Ruchie, sometimes my poo gets very dark after taking Pepto Bismol, so maybe it has something to do with those antibiotics you've been on. Also, I think my grandmother had black poo because of high amounts of iron in her system. In other words, there are countless explanations, so I bet it's not going to turn out to be anything serious. Try not to worry, and have a great holiday! 
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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My thoughts will be with you tomorrow. Please let us know as soon as you find out; I'll be checking the boards tomorrow. I'm sure you already knew this, but make sure to tell him about the antibiotic you are taking in case that has some bearing on the situation. I know my Dr would never see me on an off day-he would just send me to the ER. You have a good one.
Joan
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Dear Ruchie I,ll be praying for you.but try an have a Happy Holiday an don,t worry to much.but I know that is easy for me to say.honey I have been there.so I know how you are feeling.you have a beautiful smile so please keep it there an let us know.Gerry10.
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Neta G.Yale
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Thanks everyone for posting! My doc and I spoke this morning. He's in the ICU with a patient (been there for several days...I pray this patient will be ok!) and he told me that since I haven't had more BM's I'm ok for today. But he wants me to eat a bland diet...I think like the one folks with UC and Crohn's eat. He didn't have too much time to talk about it though given his circumstances...so I hope y'all can help me out!
He wants me on a mostly liquid diet...I have to take 4 zantac twice a day...and bland foods. What are some examples of a bland diet? Is oatmeal ok? How about apple sauce? I think it's called the BRAT diet...Bananas, Applesauce and Toast (but what's the "R" stand for)? Can you put anything on your toast? How about pasta and bread? Should I eat everything plain? I know tomato sauce, that's for sure!
Any help would be super duper appreciated!
Thanks and happy holidays!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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All that stuff you listed sounds okay. The "R" stands for rice.
I think you should be fine with a little soy spread on your toast.
When are you supposed to go see him? Let us know how you make out.
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Thanks Mags!
I am supposed to call tom. morning at 8am and make an appointment for tomorrow. If things get worse today, G-d forbid, I am supposed to call him or just simply go to the ER. So far so good....I'm going to try and sleep as much as possible today and drink tons of liquids. I figure those are my best options. I'm glad I don't celebrate Christmas (I'm Jewish)...that would be a big bummer!
Happy holidays Mags.......enjoy! 
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Christmas or not - it's still a bummer!
Too bad you don't have a TV, so you could pop in a movie and relax and try to take your mind off of it. Maybe you could read a good book, maybe that'll help. 
Just kick back and take it easy today. Let us know how your appt. tomorrow goes.
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Thanks Mags...you always know the right thing to say! (And besides, it is Chanukah!)
I'll def. let you know how it goes!
Thanks again for always being there!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Just picked up your posts...
Hope you can sort this with your Doctor and you're feeling better soon. I'm thinking of you and (if it's possible in any way) sending some healing your way.
Take care
Shellsbells
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Ruchie, I just said to myself, "Self, how horrible for her -- what a terrible way to spend Christmas!" I didn't realize you're Jewish, but regardless, it's a terrible way to spend ANY day! Please let us know how it goes tomorrow.
Bev.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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You got a lot of good replies, Ruchie. I agree with Kree and Heather, and everyone - there is no cause for alarm just yet. what's more, there is much to be grateful for (good doctor!). I just want to make sure you're handling it all in stride, 'cause I'd hate for you to be having a harder time than you need to. Please, keep letting us know how you're feeling through all of this. I wish you all the best. I'll add my own personal update. I'm home for the holidays and I'm seeing my first gastroenterologist (is that how you spell it? i just can't remember right now) on the 5th. Wish me luck. The holiday isn't finding me well just yet, but I'm hanging in there in spite of me. Who knows what's in store for the future. Take care, Ruchie!
*evie
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Got Iron?
#33706 - 12/26/03 06:51 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Ruchie, I don't know why I didn't remember this -- maybe because it happened a hundred years ago -- but a light just went on in my head as I was sleeping, and I bolted out of bed and ran over here to the computer.
Have you been eating a lot of iron? Maybe taking an iron supplement? Long before I had my colonoscopy, I had exhibited all the symptoms of IBS, so my regular doctor sent me to a GI specialist who thoroughly examined me, you know, doing the Dr. JellyFinger routine, and commented that my poop was black. At first I was alarmed -- until he asked me if I was eating a lot of iron, and then I told him about the supplements I was taking. My regular doctor had discovered I was anemic, so I was taking a supplement, which, according to the GI specialist, caused my poo to be black. Any chance you've been taking in a lot of iron lately?
Bev.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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doing the Dr. JellyFinger routine
I am LMBO right now. Thanks for the good laugh today!!!
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Ruchie hope everything is going well for you today.
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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SOOOOO Sorry!
#33740 - 12/26/03 12:16 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Ruchie, how horrible for you to have to go thru all this. Makes you wonder what you did to piss Him off, eh? Gee, I wish I had some advice for you, but I know nothing about ulcers; I'll bet, though, there are others on this Board who can help you.
Don't get down about this -- it could have been a whole lot worse -- and there's a fix for ulcers, I just know there is. Anyone? HELP!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Meds and Stress?!
#33743 - 12/26/03 12:23 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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The doc said the ulcers are caused from meds and stress? Okay, so did he change your meds for you? And the stress -- what can we do to ease it for you? Have you tried Michael's program? It's done wonders for me. What about relaxation tapes that you can listen to as you sleep? You know, waterfalls, loons, ocean waves, etc.? Aromatherapy? Massages? Meditation? Yoga?
Meds and stress . . . well, at least you have a reason . . . now for a fix . . . we just have to work on that. Change the meds and cut out the stress . . .
I'll keep thinking of stuff.
Bev.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Brings back baaaad memories! lol
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It comes down to the art of living on [color/red]
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