Dark constipation in the morning?

[BBunny]

Hello, everyone I came here to seek out some support and maybe some answers. I have had IBS type symptoms for many years but over the last few months have developed some intestinal bleeding and symptoms that lead me to believe I have UC. I'm working to actually get a diagnosis but haven't yet. The last couple of days I've been having new symptoms...in the mornings, I feel constipated and then pass these little dark stools. I'm really concerned it might be bleeding or at least really strange! The stool is also REALLY solid and it's almost black...it has a hint of green to it and I don't detect any maroon-ness so I'm hoping it's not blood, just old stool. It is NOT tarry, really hard...I have had dark and bloody BMs before and it just doesn't seem the same. I haven't been going to the bathroom as often so I was thinking that might be the cause? Anyways, in the mornings I wake up with gas cramps, pass these dark hard little stools, and then very soon after I pass a large BM of somewhat loose orange-ish brown stool. The orange-brown stool that breaks apart when you flush is pretty average for me. Anyways, after all the gas and stool is out I feel fine. Has anyone else gone through this before? I can't seem to find any information on it and it worries me. :c I'm not experiencing a lot of pain but I'm worried the constipation might create a blockage or something.

 

[kellehbeans]

I'm actually just going to drop by here because I am in a similar position, except the 'constipation' lasts all day, if I've been eating the wrong thing. If I go for 2 weeks avoiding the things my body can't tolerate, my body goes and gets diarrhoea, which triggers a lot of perianal issues off, which results on me being back on Prednisolone suppositories. Diarrhoea or constipation, I go 5-9 times a day.

I've also recently been seeing blood, although not maroon. It's either been orange-y or just red, but not fresh, if you know what I mean! I have accounted in that I have fissures and haemorrhoids though.

Hope you get the answers you are looking for, and remember that we are all supporting you here! Feel free to join the undiagnosed support group - there are quite a few of us there.

 

[BBunny]

Thank you kellehbeans! c: I hope you find your issues resolved too!

 

[Om3ga1]

The orange-brown stool that breaks apart when you flush is pretty average for me. Anyways, after all the gas and stool is out I feel fine. Has anyone else gone through this before?

Been there, done that. Thought one day I could reinflate the Hindenberg. As for the constipation, I've found that you have to stay hydrated. Are you drinking enough?:drink:

 

[BBunny]

Om3ga1, you have??? Did you have the dark color too? I don't think I am drinking enough...trying to hydrate right now. :ybiggrin:

 

[Om3ga1]

Om3ga1, you have??? Did you have the dark color too? I don't think I am drinking enough...trying to hydrate right now. :ybiggrin:

Depends on what you're drinking. Coffee, colas, or tea will do that. I personally do a lot of powerade. After I've had my coffee of course.

 

[BBunny]

Well...I didn't eat or drink anything I thought would make the color, hence the concern. 8O Anyways, it was a normal color today so yay! c:

 

[DustyKat]

Do you take iron supplements?

 

[Om3ga1]

Do you take iron supplements?

That'll do it to.

 

[BBunny]

DustyKat, I take a multivitamin with iron in it. Also, it's no longer black anymore which is good! It may have actually been something I ate and I just didn't know it. 8O It changes colors a lot I guess!

 

[jkd916]

I've been having dark stools lately. I don't take any iron supplements and drink at the VERY least, at least 30oz of water/day. I never understood the whole "tarry" description. What does that even mean? I know it's a little much, but mine have been quite dark and I have to clean the toilet after every BM because it just sticks to the bowl. So annoying because I'm a bit of a neat-freak. Anyway, I know this doesn't help you any, BBunny, but I thought I'd chip in and commiserate. Glad to read they've been better lately.

 

[BBunny]

It's fine jk916! Tarry means kind of sticky. What you describe sounds concerning....does it smell bad? Do you have lots of pain or feel faint? I would get it checked out as soon as possible unless you otherwise feel completely fine.

 

[jkd916]

I don't really notice much of a smell, to be honest. I guess I'm pretty lucky on that point. It seems to have lightened up lately, but the sticking to the bowl is so annoying! I pretty much swing from constipation to loose stools with nothing normal in between, so I'm used to it all by now. It has been really dark quite a few times, but never what I would consider to be pitch black. I haven't been overly concerned by it. I know everyone can empathize when I say I'd love to just have a few normal BM's! I have a follow-up with my GI on the 14th, so I will be sure to bring it up. I'm dealing with either a new flare-up or just a continuance of the one that began in June, so I definitely have plenty to say.

 

[BBunny]

jkd916, I know what you mean!!! I usually swing from constipation to loose stools every day. My stool also changes colors often. Dark and then light, occasionally normal. Watch it carefully and if you have lots of pain or it gets dark and is that way for a long time go to the doctor right away! I too deal with it being dark for seemingly no reason. It's probably not blood if it's solid...it's hard to know when we should be concerned or not. *sigh*

 

[jkd916]

Boy, don't I know it! Had loose stools all day and now can't produce anything to save my life. Still having the urge to go, but maybe my "wells have run dry" so to speak. I've never had visible blood unless I had a fissure or hemorrhoid, so I'm not sure I'd even know to be concerned about the color of my stool. The stickiness is constant, whether loose or not, so I'm really pretty clueless. lol