One More Poop ?.......black Poop?

[brendab]

Ok, several days ago my son age barley cereal and the next day he had a classic celiac poop and today he's had the next poop (he doesn't go everyday sometimes) and most of it's black! What is up with this? Is this part of the glutening he had earlier this week? It also smelled horrible, like the glutened poop.

[tarnalberry]

The chemical reaction in the intestines that is "glutening" is self sustaining and can last up to two weeks. This could well be from the barley.

[brendab]

The chemical reaction in the intestines that is "glutening" is self sustaining and can last up to two weeks. This could well be from the barley.

I guess I am not understanding, am I to expect this for up to 2 weeks then do you think? It's a chemical reaction to the gluten but is it continuing to do damage?

[RiceGuy]

The antibodies associated with Celiac can continue to be produced for awhile after a glutening. The damage would logically also continue during that time. Since antibodies are typically produced for up to about two weeks or so after gluten exposure, it might take that long for all symptoms and damage to subside. We're all different however, so the length of time may vary.

[GFinDC]

In celiac the immune system manufactures cells to attack the intestine (and the gluten) in the villi. Those immune cells don't stop just because he isn't eating gluten right this moment. It takes time for the body to recognize the antigen that caused the problem is gone.

I've always heard that black stool is caused by bleeding in the gi tract somewhere.

[ravenwoodglass]

I've always heard that black stool is caused by bleeding in the gi tract somewhere.

Yes although it can also be a side effect of pepto bismal if you gave him that. I would get your doctors input if it happens again. If he is presently in a lot of pain or has a fever I would get him to the ER or into the doctors ASAP to be on the safe side.

[brendab]

Thank you for the education today, I am learning so much!

He was not given Pepto and he doesn't seem bothered by any issue inside he is having. I have been watching him though. I hope it's not blood!

[BRUMI1968]

Beets and blueberries can also cause the black poop. Or very dark anyhow. I once called the doc's office saying I had black poop and it was the first question they asked - did you eat beets. Sure enough.....

Good luck.

[brendab]

Beets and blueberries can also cause the black poop. Or very dark anyhow. I once called the doc's office saying I had black poop and it was the first question they asked - did you eat beets. Sure enough.....

Good luck.

Ya, I can see how that would be..........what goes in must come out LOL He hasn't eaten any of those things and I've exhausted all ideas and what I do know. Another question for the doc.

[kareng]

If he's taking any vitamins, iron can do that to poop. Red wine, too but, if he got into that you have other problems. Oh, grape juice or some dark colored gatorade/Kool aid type things or jello. The crayons usually came out in pieces.

[brendab]

If he's taking any vitamins, iron can do that to poop. Red wine, too but, if he got into that you have other problems. Oh, grape juice or some dark colored gatorade/Kool aid type things or jello. The crayons usually came out in pieces.

No vitamins with iron in them (we try to eat a whole foods diet so vitamins usually aren't needed), we don't drink alcohol, no grape juice and definitely NO Kool-Aidor the sort. Oh, and no jell-o and he likes to use markers but he's never tried to eat them LOL

[Skylark]

Ok, several days ago my son age barley cereal and the next day he had a classic celiac poop and today he's had the next poop (he doesn't go everyday sometimes) and most of it's black! What is up with this? Is this part of the glutening he had earlier this week? It also smelled horrible, like the glutened poop.

Shouldn't you take a kid who is pooping black in to be looked at? I though black was a sign of blood and a possible GI bleed?

[brendab]

Shouldn't you take a kid who is pooping black in to be looked at? I though black was a sign of blood and a possible GI bleed?

I really don't know what is going on, a few days ago I paid attention to the color of his poop for the first time and realized it was a pale yellow and was clued in that it may be due to celiac.

[GFinDC]

Don't worry, you will be an expert on poop colors in no time!

I had black stools before going gluten free. And green too, along with yeller and sometimes other soothing colors. Mine cleared up after being gluten free a while. If the kiddos are still black, or he is pale or weak then definitely get him to a doc quick.

Most of us do pretty well on a whole foods diet of non-processed foods. No dairy, no soy, none of the top 8 food allergens to start with for the first 6 months or so. Keep the diet simple and don't add more than one new single item / whole food every few days. Keep a log of the reactions so you can pick out when things are going wrong and mark that food in the bad list. But start from a simple list of just a few foods that are easy to digest.

If you search on elimination diet in the top left search forum box there are lots of threads with ideas on doing them.

Because new food intolerances can develop over time it is good to keep your food log and be ready to restart the elimination diet if things go south. Any food can be a problem. And some can cause symptoms almost as nasty as gluten or worse.

[brendab]

Don't worry, you will be an expert on poop colors in no time!

I had black stools before going gluten free. And green too, along with yeller and sometimes other soothing colors. Mine cleared up after being gluten free a while. If the kiddos are still black, or he is pale or weak then definitely get him to a doc quick.

Most of us do pretty well on a whole foods diet of non-processed foods. No dairy, no soy, none of the top 8 food allergens to start with for the first 6 months or so. Keep the diet simple and don't add more than one new single item / whole food every few days. Keep a log of the reactions so you can pick out when things are going wrong and mark that food in the bad list. But start from a simple list of just a few foods that are easy to digest.

If you search on elimination diet in the top left search forum box there are lots of threads with ideas on doing them.

Because new food intolerances can develop over time it is good to keep your food log and be ready to restart the elimination diet if things go south. Any food can be a problem. And some can cause symptoms almost as nasty as gluten or worse.

Love the "soothing colors" part LOL Who knew I'd get to know poop so well!