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dark patch in stool

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/19/2007 12:41 AM (GMT -7)
This might seem a silly question but yesterday and today I have noticed some parts of my bm have darker patches in them. Definitely not black or tarry just darker but my stools are usually quite pale anyway.

I am slightly concerned this could be blood indicating a problem higher up in the colon and would welcome your thoughts. I still feel fine in myself, have not lost weight and don't feel anaemic or anything

Thanks and welcome to our newest member - this is a great site to visit and learn from
Posted 10/19/2007 12:41 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Easta

If you are feeling fine in every other way I would try not to worry too much. I often get duo or multi-toned BM's with a mixture of light and dark :-)

Posted 10/19/2007 2:50 PM (GMT -7)
Me, too, it is usually due to something I have eaten like Spinach or lettuce which I apparantly didn't digest well.
Posted 10/19/2007 11:45 PM (GMT -7)
Many thanks. I feel relieved now. Sometimes I feel silly at my anxieties and am, I think(!) usually a well balanced and level headed person but this ongoing problem "down below" has really got to me. I know you will all understand the feelings of frustration and resentment and it helps to realise that others are out there suffering and worrying as well. Thankfully I have a very supportive husband, a lovely dog and eight tame Jacob sheep (one of them is called Easta) to keep me reasonably sane!!
Posted 10/20/2007 12:57 AM (GMT -7)

I have a man, but now I want a sheep.  Man...I would really love a sheep right now.  Or a pygmy goat.

Definitely don't let the two-tone get you down.  It's a totally normal process.  I am actually learning about what makes our poop brown in my biochemistry class right now.  I figure as long as it's brown and not bright red or fluorescent green, you're probably good to go :)

Posted 10/21/2007 12:13 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for that Sarita. Don't know much about pygmy goats or green poop either for that matter!! I have also noticed that it is generally the last piece of poop to appear that is two toned and that, when I wipe, I sometimes find tiny flecks or specks of black - however this has only come since I have been taking Kelp tablets the last few days so maybe iodine goes black before it makes its appearance!
Posted 10/21/2007 12:23 AM (GMT -7)
Interesting!  I can imagine that would make your poop black.  Lots of things make it black and speckled.  Like spinach.  That's always a winner.  I am sure that this issue is caused by the kelp but if you continue to notice it, the only way to tell for sure is to cut out the kelp for a couple days.  Easy enough.  Are you taking kelp for your thyroid?

Posted 10/21/2007 6:29 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for the detailed analysis of the colouration of poop!! I take kelp as, being a veggie, I eat no fish or seafood and want to keep my iodine levels OK. Will eliminate it for a couple of days and observe and report back.

Take care all.
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