Concerns About Blood in Stool
Hello everyone! I’m a 25-year-old female from the southern United States, weighing 230 pounds and standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall. My medical history includes several diagnoses, such as Hashimoto’s, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), prediabetes, fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, alongside issues like anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and mild anemia. Currently, I’m prescribed levothyroxine (88mcg), citalopram (40mg), and Wegovy (1.0mg), in addition to an iron supplement that I occasionally remember to take. Recently, I’ve become more sensitive to gluten, dairy, and alcoholic beverages containing wheat since I began taking Wegovy. Though I had some lactose sensitivity as a child that seemed to improve over time, I’ve had growing concerns about gluten intolerance. I often experience symptoms like rashes, bloating, mucus in my stools, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, nausea, and joint pain after consuming gluten-rich foods such as pizza and bagels, and even certain ice creams. This past week has been unusually stressful for me after losing my aunt, childhood dog, and my grandmother’s ashes. Consequently, I have experienced heightened levels of anxiety and stress. On a positive note, I passed a significant exam to advance my career, which I decided to celebrate with pizza and Prosecco with my boyfriend. Unfortunately, this indulgence resulted in repercussions that I’ve been dealing with all day. We dined around 9 PM, but shortly after 2:45 AM, I was awoken by severe urges. For hours, from 2:45 until 7 AM, I suffered through diarrhea accompanied by stomach cramps, and I even vomited once during this ordeal. My joints also became very painful, and around 5:30 AM, I attempted to relax in a bath. However, the warmth made me feel worse, compelling me to exit the tub and struggle with my discomfort again. After expelling everything from my system, I tried to rest but felt very hungry and thirsty. Between 7 AM and 10 AM, I consumed four GoGo Squeeze packets and a sleeve of saltines since those usually help settle my stomach. I also drank Gatorade and plenty of water. By 2 PM today, I visited the restroom again and observed bright red blood in my stool. Given the intense ordeal my body went through earlier, I wasn’t overly alarmed. However, two additional smaller stools followed, both exhibiting blood. I'm trying to assess whether I should seek emergency assistance or wait to consult my primary care provider when they open tomorrow. I currently do not have a fever or any unusual symptoms besides my stomach turmoil and joint pain. This reaction seems to occur whenever I disregard my dietary restrictions and indulge in gluten and dairy. Typically, my bowel movements are normal, except for the day after receiving my Wegovy injection when I experience sulfur-smelling diarrhea. Apologies for the lengthy message, but I’m quite sleep-deprived and was hopeful for rest after finally feeling more mentally at ease before this happened. 💀
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 11:00:49 PM
OpenHealth AI
Seeing blood in your stool can be concerning, especially after experiencing severe gastrointestinal distress. Given your situation, it's essential to prioritize your immediate health while also considering your overall symptoms and context.
Key Points:
- Blood in stool can arise from various causes, including irritation from digestive distress, food intolerances, or more serious conditions.
- Your recent stress and dietary indiscretions likely exacerbated your symptoms.
Explanation:
You noted experiencing severe diarrhea and vomiting after consuming gluten-rich foods, which suggests that your body is reacting negatively to these substances, particularly if you have developed sensitivities or intolerances. The presence of blood, especially after such an episode, can indicate irritation in your digestive tract, which might result from inflammation or trauma due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea.
Recommended Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your stool color and consistency over the next few hours. Observe any additional symptoms, such as fever, significant abdominal pain, or increased blood in your stool.
- Hydration: Continue to hydrate with clear fluids like water and electrolyte solutions (e.g., Gatorade) to prevent dehydration, especially after gastrointestinal distress.
- Dietary Management: Avoid gluten and dairy for now to reduce the likelihood of further irritation. Stick to bland foods that are gentle on your stomach, such as toast, bananas, applesauce, and rice (commonly known as the BRAT diet).
- Rest: Given your sleep deprivation and stress, make sure to prioritize rest and relaxation. Stress can exacerbate gastrointestinal issues, so it’s vital to find ways to help calm your mind and body.
- Consider Immediate Evaluation: While it’s good to assess your situation, if the bleeding increases, you develop a fever, or if you experience any severe pain or lethargy, seek emergency assistance right away.
When to Consult Your Provider:
If your symptoms improve and the blood is minimal, it may be appropriate to wait and discuss these issues with your primary care provider as scheduled. However, ensure you're alert to any changes in your condition that warrant immediate attention.
You’re not alone in this experience, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed following such recent stress. Focus on self-care and symptom monitoring while being observant of any new developments.
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