poet_kelly
on 12/26/11 12:33 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Sorry but I need to ask. When they say "black tarry stools" are a symptom of ulcer, what exactly do black tarry stools look like? I always figured it was just a very dark color. My poop, the last few days, has been very dark, but more dark gray I would say than black, and has a greenish tint which is due to my iron. But in addition to the color, it has been kind of thick and sticky, I would say. Like, it's hard to wipe it all off. It's soft but no****ery. It's almost like the consistency of paste or something. Would that be considered tarry? I really hate to go to the doctor about poop issues. I really don't want to have to give a stool sample or anything gross like that. But my poop is usually a lot firmer and not sticky like this or pasty.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 12/26/11 12:50 am - OH

RNY on 08/27/07

When I had the bleeding issue last year when my PT/INRwas literally so high the lab equipment could not report it, my stools were, indeed, almost black. Initially, they had very dark blacks streaks throughout them rather than being just a lighter color. (The consistency was a bit looser than usual, but was not sticky or particularly hard to clean off.). I am STILL not sure what they mean by "tarry" based on my experience.

I do not know, however, how the amount and/or source of blood might change that... i.e., whether a much smaller amount of blood would not generate the streaks but just cause a somewhat darkened color.

I wouldn't worry a out it unless it has been that way for a significant amount of time. If it persists, though, you should definitely have it checked out.

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 12/26/11 12:59 am - OH

RNY on 08/27/07

P.S. when I had my problem, the smell of the stools was REALLY bad...

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

(deactivated member)
on 12/26/11 1:37 am

When I think of a tarry hard to wipe off stool I think of the first few days home from surgery. It was almost black, thick, and almost impossible to wipe off.

sweetmama55
on 12/26/11 2:51 am - GA

TARRY (tarried)

Pronunciation (US):

Dictionary entry overview: What does tarry mean?

• TARRY (adjective)
The adjective TARRY has 1 sense:

1. having the characteristics of pitch or tar

When you have a stool that looks dark like tar it could be blood in your stool. It is old blood not fresh blood but needs to be checked right away. I don't know if the drug stores carry ocult blood tests but you could check your stool yourself. The occult test tests for hidden blood.

rayjack12
on 12/26/11 3:48 am

RNY on 12/20/10

What you're describing, to me, has always been my understanding of "tarry" stools. You know the poop that a baby first has when it is born, the very first couple of poops? That is tarry...from ingesting the amniotic fluid.

poet_kelly
on 12/26/11 6:41 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Yes, that's just what it's like! Even the color. Thanks for giving me an easy way to describe it.

So if I have newborn baby poop, does that mean I have a problem? Because I feel fine.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

rayjack12
on 12/26/11 9:24 am

RNY on 12/20/10

Well,,,I'm sure you're aware...foods can cause weird colors. But pepto can cause black stools (I just read that today on the back of the box when dealing with MY poop issues!!). Also, from what I recall...eating licorice, blueberries and/or iron pils will sometimes cause a color change. If none of these are the case, blood from somewhere in the GI tract is the next place to look. This could be a multitude of things, from simple food allergies, to more serious stuff.

How long has it been going on? You may have mentioned that in the first post and I just missed it. But if it has been over a few days I would make a call.

rayjack12
on 12/26/11 3:48 am

RNY on 12/20/10

And I guess I should add....tarry in consistency, if not color.

danvet
on 12/26/11 7:14 am

RNY on 12/06/11

They do sell sell tests at the pharmacies for hemoccult testing at most pharmacies and home supply company stores. It's really hard to tell if it's iron or stool sometimes. You just take a sample that's not fallen into the toilet (you can use saran wrap to catch some). Take the little stick and choose 2 different areas on the inside of the bowel movement onto the little window from 2 different areas of the stool, close the windows, apply one drop to the control, and then one to each window. Wait 30 seconds and if they turn blue, then it's considered a positive. It's a great screen for at home but if you see that blue you need additional follow up to be sure you're not having an upper GI bleed that being undetected.

poop question - yes, it's gross

TARRY (tarried)

Pronunciation (US):

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poop question - yes, it's gross

TARRY (tarried)

Pronunciation (US):