Black/Dark purple bits in stool??
Posted , 4 users are following.
So it all started roughly 4 weeks ago where suddenly one day I was getting really bad stomach cramps, bloating, a lot of gas especially after eating (my stomach would literally rumble all the time, eating or not eating), had very little appetite. Went to the doctors a few days later and they said I had a stomach infection, I wasn't having diarrhea or vomiting at the time.
I started to worry a lot during the next week or so as I suffer from pretty bad anxiety and the symptoms weren't changing at all. I lost about a stone of weight in a week and a half which I assume was down to not eating (I could only manage a few bananas a day)
About a week later my stomach cramps seemed to stop and a pain developed just under my right set of ribs, which seemed to get worse and worse as the days went by. I started to get really loose BMs of a weird greeny dark orange colour which seemed to reduce the pain and would find myself going 3+ times a day and not feel empty after the first. I find myself needing to urinate a lot more frequently too, maybe cause I'm drinking a load of water?
In my stools are these weird black dry bits of varying length (they were purple today but I'm not sure if that was kidney beans I ate last night) They are dry and kinda look like the bits of popcorn shell that come off the corns before you put them in the microwave, but not as hard if that makes sense?
I went to the doctors a few more times and got shrugged off saying it was all down to my anxiety which was causing the issues?
Finally I got to see a good doctor who gave me a blood test which came back with nothing and said I had IBS which was developed as a post-infection mixed with my anxiety levels. I kept asking if any other tests were required and he kept saying there is no point.
Now I usually have a constant pain under my right ribcage, which comes and goes through the day, usually worse after eating, sometimes under my left ribcage is a feint pain too and sometimes it'll rise into upper abdomen.
So what the hell is going on here? Sorry for the massive essay. I'm just really worried about these black bits in my stool, are they blood?! 
0 likes, 38 replies
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
appears you yet have an infection or the toxins from the bacteria...what antibiotics did you take? dosage and duration?
Why worry? ask yourself if it helps? Or what might it "accomplish"?
Take L theanine...but you check it out either with webmd or nice..
With stomach cramps and aches under rib cage why on earth would you eat kidney beans? Difficult to digest, gas producing?
If you can...know not easy..leave some of these "unknown" stuffs in your stools in the toilet for a period of time...any desicated blood will turn RED...if so...you may have developed an ulcer...check with your dr.
Your in good hands with WATER..keep it up...will keep your digestive track lubricated, clean your liver/kidney filters..and keep you hydrated as well....Claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
Yeah bad thinking on the kidney beans, was just eating with my parents so had what they were eating at the time. I try and drink as much water as I possibly can.
Just find it strange that I have had this 'orangey diarrhea' for nearly three/four weeks now.. Does it not sound like blood to you then? It's really dry and suddenly changed from black to dark purple yesterday (after I ate the kidney beans which is why I think there could be a link?)
I worry stupidly due to my bad anxiety. Just worried it will be something serious and it drives me crazy.
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
A stomach virus needs help to remedy...orange or light colored stools might be lack of bile....maybe your "eating too fast"? not giving your stomach time to process properly?
For stress...get L theanine...it will help...use it only as a "bridge" to get your stress calmed down..once done..ween.
I'd suggest taking some psyllium husk powder with some enteric coated probiotics...when you take the psyllium, take only a 1/4 of teaspoon...morning and lunch time..not evening...
This is a "prebiotic"..is should help expand your good bacteria that will displace any bad ones...you may not have enough good ones..thus..probiotics.
Go to a GASTRITIS diet for a short time...along with what I've suggested...you should get better in a progressive time frame.
Once problems pass...keep up the diet but ween the pre and probitocs/l theanine over the same time period it progressed to "normal"...claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
I'm also suffering from tight chest due to my anxiety which is really uncomfortable.
So you're sure the black / purple bits in stool are nothing to worry about? That is the thing which is driving my anxiety the worst as I just keep thinking it could be blood.. What is it then?
Thanks again,
Jack
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
With a viral infection, oftentimes FOOD IS NOT COMPLETELY DIGESTED..thus end up in your stools in all forms of condtions because it goes thru a heck of a lot of chemical processes...
Claudio
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
the psyllium may cause your stools to be of a light color.not a big deal.
Also, it can cause gas in some phenotypes..but the 1/4 teaspoon usually helps vs a full tea or tablespoon...if you don't experience excess gas..then you can try 1/2 teaspoon but not more since your using it as a prebiotic. Claudio
btw...if dr didn't do a fecal lab test, or a biopsy a bacteria/yeast/viral type condition cannot be determined? But dr yet could be correct based on symptoms..in addition to what you've written, usually a stomach viral infection will include...mild fever..sore joint..fatigue etc.
btw..did youget a flu shot? and if so when? claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
I sometimes get hot/cold flushes and random cramps round the body as well.
Never had a flu shot before. Symptoms seem to be a lot worse when I'm anxious /stressed (which seems to be most of the time)
As I said I am only really worried about the weird bits in my stool. Do you know any information about it that could potentially calm my worries?
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
Simple basic digestive system: first..voluntary...your job is to chew stuff to fine mush..then you swallow...that ends voluntary work.
Involuntary but first step can be a neuro response like "pavlov" dogs secreting saliva when it was food time.
The major enzyme in your saliva is amylase...it begins to break down carbs..break down (catabolize) so when it arrives in the stomach, the gastric juices (many) along with perisalsis (slow stomach movements that mix and match foods to enzymes) catabolize food stuffs...once done, chyme passes to your small bowel where further catabolization occurs, it too large, it isn't absorbed but passes onto your colon for disposal.
That's a simple version but a lot of stuff takes place. Hopefully you can grasp why I suspect undigested food in your stools...you know what, when, how, and how much your eating.It all matters...If you see maltodextrin in your multi vit or benefib...find an alternative...it "protects" the salmonella strain...this was published in the recent World Gastroentrology journals. Claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
I try to make sure to chew everything as much as possible and eat as slowly as possible. My appetite has been very limited recently due to these issues.
Just had a weird 'squelchy watery stool' that didn't have any of the black bits.
Just confuses me as I eat different things most days but still have these bits present in all my stools
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
Good that you try and eat slow, chew well...and maybe eat smaller meals...weight loss is quite normal during these types of conditions. It is usually recommended to eat cooked non processed cereals...like steel cut oats, organic quinoa and either kefir or yogurt for breakfasts...cooked leafy green vegetables, sweet yams, and lean meats like chicken and turkey...fish..tuna salmon mackeral for other meals. very light on fresh fruits..apple..papaya...kiwi...and plantain banana(cooked) blackened skin is best....this is a South American Remedy for gastritis.
No coffee/strong teas (chamomile is ok) no milk, alcohol, or spicy stuff....oils, fats are difficult to process during normal times but otherwise very difficult..so nothing fried zilchen..nada..niente....Brits and Americans love the stuff but best avoid when not up to par....blood tests would show a bacteria infectiion via the wbc's...but not yeast nor viral infections....but your WATER intake just might cure the stomach issue but do something for your anxiety...yoga...jogging...swimming...meditation, deep and challenging study...etc...claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
jack11045
Posted
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
I haven't any experience with Boots and their kits...my guess would be they would show something highly irregular...just don't know what methods or number of tests they use.
About weight...it almost goes without saying, digestive problems and weight loss go together. How much? if 2000 calories is daily average then 1k is less than mainteance...not unreasonable for a digestive disorder like yours. Withe the prebiotics, your stools should begin to be a heck of a lot better...keep in mind the psyllium is not the same as your benefiber at 1/4 teaspoon its should boost your good intestial flora and not needed forever..just a short period of time....the diet suggested has both solutable and insoluable fiber. Far better than pills. Benefiber, metamucil, and similar are good for when your in need of "extra" due to poor diet. Claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
Boots home test kit is where you collect a sample of stool, mix it with some solution and then drop onto a test card thingy. It produces purple lines depending on the result. You think this is accurate test then? I hope so.
Weight loss of 2kgs just seems a lot in 5 days which is scaring me. Doc said it could be normal down to anxiety and lack of appetite.
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
Diet is "good medicine"...its ""What you eat...When you eat..and How much you eat"...anxiety should not be a player...you and only you are the "master" of your own mind..don't allow emotion to influence your intellect. AA uses a 12 step program...I think a 1 step for simple anxiety...the moment you have an anxious thought...recognize it and change it to a more positive/pleasant one.."BE the BOSS"...
claudio
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
I am familiar with labs but not the varous labs specific methodology.......they do differ although not a lot.
I try to stick with one specific lab service but can usually read into the variances in "range". Here in my area we have 3 major labs, and have used all 3..and there is always a variance on the identical test..but haven't found it to be "significant".
time...dr sends it to a lab..some use mail service, others use a courier service...it takes "time" to "grow" a bacteria..or a yeast...4 days is a good turn around at most USA labs..meaning from the time they receive a fecal sample to the time they "report" findngs back to dr's office..some labs work 24/7 and some 18/7....most have the latest diagnostic equipment which seems to be upgraded rather rapidly in the past few years....faster...more accurate..and with additional features....claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
You think it'll come back all clear though right? If it does come back clear I am confused what is the matter with me, just IBS I guess? Any need to go for further tests?
I'm going to get some husk later and try that, forgot to ask doc about the theanine though.
Again thanks for all the help, have been much more helpful than my GP!
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
Once you've been on pre and pro biotics and a Gastritis diet, it won't take a lotta time to get back to normal...IBS again is a "catch all"..syndrome's are just that.."unknown cause" and "unknown remedy".
There has been only a few on this patientuk forum that have cured their IBS...its a ton easier to know "the cause or the likely cause" but when it is not...for many its a trial and error, with diet, exercise, anxiety, and lifestyle changes.If you've only taken the multi vit and the benefib plus the water..could take a lotta time. The one difference between what I've suggested and JPT is that JPT used an antibiotic to kill off all bacteria good and bad..then used pre/pro biotics big time for a period of time along with diet....think was 4 weeks...100% cured...several followed his suggestions and most were successful...some not. I personally don't like antibiotics as a FIRST choice. Nowdays, even infant milk formuls contain pre and pro biotics...I've been sending 5lbs monthly to China for 18 months...unfortunately the exact same mfg in China produces a different formual...baby's stools were "GREEN" and "smelly". Was the lack of pre and pro biotics..and maybe something else? Claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
It's weird cause my symptoms seem to be changing a lot. I'm currently getting no pain just a lot of stomach rumbling, gas and loose stools. I guess this can be only a good thing if the pain is going away?
Just praying that the fecal test comes back fine as I am very paranoid about having C- and constantly finding myself unable to sleep as I am worrying about it. Anxiety sucks.
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
Jerusalem Artichoke Yakon Root
Probiotics.....Any that are from reliable mfg..but must be erteric coated
Vsl#3 is a new one that shows good promise.
Pain reduction is a very "good sign".....
loose stools tells you toxings are still being tossed...unless your intollerant to some stuff your putting into your stomach. Dairy is usualy one of the biggest offenders, and most processed foods ..msg is the next, and 3rd gluten...for some the order differs.
Back to anxiety...C...anxiety helps? seems to me it would not help...not help anything..causes "inflammation" when one is normal so what might it do with a digestive problem?
If worry could "cure" or even "help"...it would be the biggest seller of all time.consider your emotion as the DEVIL and your Intellect as your angel..which one do you prefer to obey?
Very skilled dr's use theanine to bridge patients coming off of big time "antidepressants"......same with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs...15 years ago we used Niacin (amide) and or Taurine...same pathway as theanine, although I cannot recall if Niacinamide gets past the BBB...blood brain barrier...taurine does. When one doesn't do well with theanine, taurine alone 1g daily for a week before increasing to 1.5g....but theanine has been the first choice...and it should be used as a temporary crutch..toss the crutch as soon as possible...always pre program youself to ween off of stuff..Claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
I think you misread my last post. I said I am constantly worrying I may have C.. Which is what is driving my anxiety and keeping me up at night.
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
I haven't ever seen psyllium husk powder in capsule form? I would think it would be best to ask a phamacist for all 3..1. the psyllium husk powder, 2. vsl#3 Probiotic, and 3. theanine (ask about the correct dosage for your anxiety, age, weight etc).
Jack...you don't have any sign of C...Just because you might have a hang nail..doesn't mean your losing a finger?? First get this right...you had a dr visit...blood test...a dr would have immediately ordered several tests..i.e. CT Scan or a barium enema, or at least a colonoscopy....
Get the 3 items as quickly as reasonably possible...they will help you over the fence..I hope.
A few days have already passed and yet its obvious you prefer tests over improvements...that's your emotion not your good intellect.
An Italian friend opened up his bedroom window and shouted at his neighbor across the way...that he couldn't repay the money he had borrowed, then closed the window with a big sigh of relief...,..now he felt he would be able to sleep without having to worry about the repayment.
People find ways to overcome worry...claudio
jack11045 donclaudio
Posted
Just super anxious about C as I have some of the symptoms (namely weight loss and stool issues - the bits in the stool which I assumed to be blood), etc, but I guess they are symptoms for IBS like syndromes as well.
I have a hard time trusting doctors for some reason. My anxiety makes it hard for me to trust anyone really.
donclaudio jack11045
Posted
Some believe nothing is possible.
The cells in your body are inherently programmed to remain healthy; your immune system strives to keep you healthy, medical practitioners strive to keep you healthy, as do family.
I would suggest that the person most responsible for your health and well being is YOU.
And that YOU have a most powerful tool to fulfill that responsibility to yourself. That tool is YOUR MIND and, given the circumstances, YOU would be a fool not to use it wisely.
Stress destroys the immune system, without it, diseases are easily contracted, a very painful daily life that is also shortened well before it’s normal time.
A positive mental attitude boosts the immune system that protects the body from deadly diseases, and the opportunity for an enjoyable long healthy life.
Choose wisely…….
claudio