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Having Dark Stool With Back Ache And Sinking Feeling In Chest. What Should Be Done?

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Posted on Thu, 6 Dec 2012
Question: Last week I passed dark tarry stool. The next day it kind of cleared. But now again I had dark stool yesterday and today, with back ache and sinking feeling in my chest. Sometimes I feel very weak and dizzy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (14 minutes later)
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

I`m afraid this is very serious. You should go to ER right away. Dark stool means that you are bleeding from peptic ulcer. Weakness and dizziness means that your hemoglobin level might be low. You need to have upper GI endoscopy as soon as possible. Full blood work should be done as well. Please do not neglect it.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
Thank you very much for your answer. How serious could this be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (8 hours later)
Hello!

Well, this is serious if not treated and may be fatal. But if endoscopy will find the source of bleeding (it usually does), such peptic ulcer is easily treatable and can be completely healed. That is why it is very important to have it diagnosed as soon as possible.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 days later)
I got an appointment for Dec 3. Should I still go to the Emergency or wait for the appointment. The only thing is that I feel very weak. My Stool colour is normal now. Does it mean that the bleeding has stopped?
Thank you for answering all concerns for me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (15 hours later)
Hello!

I have asked you to go right away. Even if no blood in stool visible for now, you still might be bleeding. Therefore your hemoglobin level might be low and that is why you are feeling so weak. You should at least have checked your blood for hemoglobin level and if not very low, you can wait till Dec 3.
There is always a risk of another bleeding and no one will tell if and when this can happen.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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Having Dark Stool With Back Ache And Sinking Feeling In Chest. What Should Be Done?

Hello!

Thank you for the query.

I`m afraid this is very serious. You should go to ER right away. Dark stool means that you are bleeding from peptic ulcer. Weakness and dizziness means that your hemoglobin level might be low. You need to have upper GI endoscopy as soon as possible. Full blood work should be done as well. Please do not neglect it.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.