[Zouave]

So...a question I have always responded no to is, "is your stool black and tarry?" What is black and tarry a symptom of?

 

[Pat..]

Please correct me if I am wrong... but to me that has always meant dark/old blood may be mixed in with the stool. if it is not fresh/bright red blood ie from hemmies or fissures it could be a sign that there is bleeding further up so would need prompt investigation as it is possibly a sign of something more serious than IBS

 

[Zouave]

Nope, never had blood in the old stool. And it has only been black when I eat Oreos. Just curious. (Love the Churchill pic Pat!)

 

[eric]

Zouave, it is important that you have this right as Pat pointed out some serious concerns with black and tarry stools. This is very important to know for sure and if it is blood it needs to be checked out immediately.