Does Chronic Meth Use Cause Blood Stool?

Posted on Sat, 22 Oct 2022

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 Answered on

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi my boyfriend has been a chronic meth user, for the past 3 weeks he’s had blood in toilet when he’s having a bowel movement, he said there’s no pain but he does have a hardened stomach, bloated, burps frequently, and in the past has had joint pain. I’m not sure if the meth use is related but I have noticed he goes to the bathroom almost immediately after he smokes it. He also smokes cigarettes and with his job as a manager he’s stressed a lot.

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (-4 hours later)

I should’ve mentioned that he’s 41 years old, manages a butcher block/store (he kills the animals, hangs them, cuts the meat up for sale, deals with all employee matters, deals with all customer matters, and make sure the store has the meat for people to buy) also very short handed so he works constantly about 60+ hours a week, has 3 daughters 16-21, the 16yr old lives with us (has lots of authority issues), her girlfriend also lives with us, (lots of stress there), I’m pregnant was never supposed to get pregnant( I don’t and have never used any drugs), have an old house that is constantly needed fixed someplace, works on our vehicles, his ex wife is lying to child support so his check is being garnished for a child that lives with us (I finally got that fixed), I think but don’t know he’s been using meth for 20years off and on not constant.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
He may have haemorrhoids.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read your query and here is my advice.
I understand the stressful situation he is living in and it can make him to consume meth.
About the blood in stool I can suspect the most probable cause can be haemorrhoids causing him to have fresh blood in stools. In this case the bleeding can't be related to consuming meth. You can ask him for any mass protruding from anus or pain during defecation.
Consuming meth can cause even more serious bleeding like ischemic colitis but I don't think this is the case since it causes very intense abdominal pain.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 days later)

Tonight his daughter cooked us dinner and she didn’t drain the grease from the hamburger before adding taco seasoning. He is now having lower abdominal pain located more on left side, not unbearable pain but enough to keep him up. I’ve also noticed bloating, more than normal gas, heartburn occasionally and maybe a slight fever but I don’t have a thermometer right now.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be irritation because of the food he eat

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think he is having irritation and inflammation of the bowel because of the spicy and fatty food he was eating.
I think he can have buscopan for abdominal pain and simethicone for gas and bloating.
Taking probiotics such enterogermina or yovita may help digestion. It will gradually go away on its own.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Yogesh D