Bloody Stool Stress

Updated on April 09, 2008
K.S. asks from Brighton, MI
12 answers

Hi moms-as I have gone into FBPM (full-blown panic mode)...I thought I'd turn to you to see if anyone out there has experienced what we did yesterday. I have a perfectly healthy, happy and wonderful almost 3 year old son. Yesterday, he had a gigantic poop and it had a little blood on it. I didn't panic because I know sometimes if they have larger bowel movements they can have a tiny tear. Then, after his nape he woke up and had to go again. This time there was a lot of icky blood mixed in with the bowel movement. By lot I mean 3 tablespoons or so. I took him right to the Dr. and they sent the specimen out for labs and also took blood to send to the lab. While I pace all morning freaking out waiting for the phone to ring from the Dr.'s office...I just thought I'd see if anyone else experienced such a scary thing? No wierd symptoms...perfectly fine otherwise. Thanks Moms.

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So What Happened?

WOW! Thank you ALL for the amazing feedback and support. Turns out all of the tests were absolutely fine and it did just turn out to be the 'monster poop' that gave him quite a tear inside & out. We've since started a small amount of stool softener powder in his juice in the am each day...just to keep him regularly softer. (per Dr.'s recommendation) What a scare. I'm so thankful to all of you for your feedback. Have a great day!

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J.M.

answers from Detroit on

This actually happened to me once. It was just a tear. The after blood was probably just that. There's nothing scarier than going number two, and seeing blood in the toilet!

Good luck! Keep us posted.

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C.W.

answers from Saginaw on

Hey, as delightful as this topic is... I just wanted to share with you my experience. I suffered from an anal fissure (tear) after delivering my first baby. I had a LOT of blood in my stool as well. Very scary!!! Went to the doctor right away and she said it was common to have that much blood with a fissure. It happens often in people who are constipated. Did he seem to have any discomfort, pushing, hard stool etc...?

You can find a lot of information online concerning symptoms and care for fissures.

Hope this helps ease your mind. I would like to hear what you find out from the Dr.

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B.V.

answers from Detroit on

The exact same thing happened when my daughter was just over 2 years old (last summer). Scared the daylights out of me. She was sitting there pooping, happy as can be, and I happen to glance in the toilet to see it full of blood. I, of course, panic and call the doctor. When I take her in, they diagnose an anal fissure. Very common in children, evidently. It took a couple days more of bloody poops before it healed on its own, but she's been fine ever since.

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L.C.

answers from Jackson on

That sounds really scary! Good Luck!

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S.O.

answers from Fort Collins on

Could be hemroids. I know that if it looks red it takes place near the exit point and usually hemroids or a tear could cause this. If it is other colors (black)then it takes place further into the colon or intestines. Hopefully, just hemroids. Maybe a stool softener will help?

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C.C.

answers from Grand Rapids on

i know it's hard, but try to relax! my daughter had problems like this when she was only a couple months old. scary!! she was a premie, so i was freaking out about everything. unless the blood is real dark or grainy, it's probably nothing serious. it's good you took him to the doc right away. it turned out my daughter had problems digesting breast milk and then formula and had to be put on formula that was partially broken down. she still occasionally has problems with constipation, but that's a whole different story! i guess what i'm trying to say is, things always turn out better than we anticipate, being the worry-some mothers we are. it's most likely a food allergy or he was constipated and maybe had a fissure or hemoroid that worked itself loose. it's good the doctors are looking into it further. calm down and stay positive! best of luck!

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B.W.

answers from Detroit on

Hi K.,

The doctors should also be looking to see if your son has polyps in his colon. Polyps run in my family and my nephews started having signs like this at age 5. They are managable and just need to watch what we eat and get colonospys. I dont want to tell you anything wrong so I would check webmd.com and see what is said about polyps. My other nephew also had been going thru what you are and it was a minor virus which was treated and he is doing great. You did the right thing about taking him in...your a great Mother!

In thoughs and prayers,
B.

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C.C.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My oldest has this. It's from pushing to hard while going and they tear a bit. They are called fissures. I was told as long as it's bright red not to worry. They will heal on their own just remember to make sure he is getting juice and fruit to keep from being constipated. Also don't pull apart his behind cheeks to look as that will make it worse. Hope that helps.

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L.N.

answers from Benton Harbor on

Yeah, it can happen and can be pretty common. It's good that you took him in, but I don't think there is any need to stress over it. Bright red blood indicates a tear in the lower digestive tract, which is usually caused by a hemorrhoid or fissure (small tear) and 'usually' just needs to be watched. Tarry stools or black streaks indicate an upper dig. tract bleed and is much more significant. You did the right thing and it's important to remember that a little blood mixed with somthing else looks like a LOT of blood...it's usually less than it appears to be.
~L.

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R.H.

answers from Detroit on

Bright Red is fine... black tarry stools indicates a problem further inside.

Good you took him to the dr...but I wouldn't worry too much. My sister had this when she was young. As mentioned already it is most likely a fissure and will eventually heal. Best thing to help is making sure he gets enough liquids so his stools aren't difficult to pass.

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K.P.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter has had some bloody stools as well and she is 2 1/2 years old. I freaked out too but my doctor said that it was a tiny tear. He also said that if her stool is bloody that its a sign of dehydration. I have noticed that if she is drinking enough water each day, it doesn't happen at all. He also said that bright red is ok, but black or very dark should be checked out. Hope this helps and good luck! I know how scary it is to see that!

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J.K.

answers from Detroit on

I am sure your physician told you not to worry. He probably did have a small tear. Those can take several MONTHS to heal. During that time, he can have some episodes with a significant amount of blood in the stool. (At times, it looks as if the toilet is filled with blood!) Every time he has a larger BM, the tear can reopen, which then causes the blood. Keep the area clean and dry and eventually, it should heal. Patience is key. Good luck.

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