← Return to EGD and colonoscopy for Barrett's esophagus

Discussion

EGD and colonoscopy for Barrett's esophagus

Digestive Health | Last Active: Apr 22 10:06am | Replies (30)

Comment receiving replies
@andytheman

After reading some of the comments I think I have an important question.
5 days ago I had surgery for an upper esophagus endoscopy to “stretch “ my esophagus because it had narrowed especially the abdominal area.
Some samples of nodules or polyps were cut away for further examination.
I have had an upper abdomen slight pain that was probably caused by my recent upper esophagus although it was in the lower esophagus and duodenal area where food and liquids were being stopped from entering my stomach.
This resulted in food or liquids backing up. It hasn’t made it up into my lungs yet but I had the endoscopy to open up my esophagus so it could travel into my stomach.
It was piling up (aspiration) to the point where it could get into my lungs and cause pneumonia or worse.
I’ve been sickly feeling and not wanting to do anything due to my pesky upper abdomen nausea and I became fatigued and out of breath easily.
This morning, 6 days later, I had to move my bowels and for the first time in my 70 years my stools were black and tarry and having to wipe extensively to clean my butt.
I have been perusing google for possible reasons. Most medical sites like this one said that black tarry stools are usually ua sign of internal bleeding. Especially since I just got my endoscopy.

Should I wait another day to see if it was a one time thing? I’m on blood thinners for my mechanical aortic valve. It it possible that thin blood and cutting samples of nodules or polyps in my esophagus could be the cause? Along with stretching it?
My gut tells me to wait another day and see if it rectifies by itself or did my gastroenterologist cause it.
Most medical sites say I should go to the ER just to make sure I’m not bleeding that turns black the longer it travels. I also have an abdominal aortic torn aneurysm. I also am working with an issue that my right vocal cord is paralyzed. This causes difficulty breathing and swallowing as food travels through my only left cord that is fine. So it could be anyone of these things.
Should I wait a day like some medical sites recommend? Just to make sure it’s just a fluke?

Jump to this post


Replies to "After reading some of the comments I think I have an important question. 5 days ago..."

Black tarry stool is a sign of bleeding somewhere in your gastro-intestinal tract. If it were me I would go to Urgent Care or the Emergency Department. Being on an anti-coagulant you are more likely to bleed for a variety of reasons. I hope you are doing OK. Please don't wait to seek a definitive diagnosis..