dark stools

[ccurci]

i have had stomach issues over a week now. (seem better today) it was in the gallbladder area. saturday, i took only 1 dose of pepto bismal to alleviate the feeling. which had seemed to help for that day.  from the 3rd day on including today (thursday) my bm is very dark. looks like the coffee that was brewed that you toss away. yesterday my doc told me that its possible that the pepto is still in my system. but its been 5 days. shouldnt it be gone? i have an apt next week. i am concerned. has anyone ever had there stools dark over 3 day post pepto?
thank you

also because my doc is a good friend of mine i told him i thought it was my gallbladder and i went for a ultrasound in his office, however i didnt get a chance to see him yet (shown no stones at least)

[mirobaloch]

dark stools always doesnt indicate blood but to rule out any bleeding you should do fecal occult blood, stool D/R, and check your blood for hb.
if its blood then probably from an ulcer from your stomache if not then its pepto

[ayri]

hi, dark stools indicate internal bleeding of some sort, could be an ulcer or diverticular and yes the pepto should be out of your system, eat plenty of fresh friut and vegies, cheers.