Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXX,

Taking a Tums or other calcium carbonate product should not cause clay colored stool. When stool looks like that, it usually means that there is some obstruction to bile getting into the intestines. The pigments in bile give the stool it's brownish color.

A bit about this: bile is produced by the liver and is stored in the gall bladder. The gall bladder releases this bile when needed during/after eating. It goes from the gall bladder through ducts which are also shared by the pancreas, into the first part of the small intestine.

Things that inflame or obstruct this passage of the bile can result in clay stool. This include gall bladder stones, inflammation of the liver and ducts (including from alcohol use) and even a viral gastroenteritis (stomach "flu").

If you aren't having a passing stomach flu, I recommend going in to your doctor. He/she will order a liver panel blood test which includes checking liver enzyme levels and bilirubin levels. They may also recommend an ultrasound of your abdomen.

I am gathering that you also are experiencing some digestive problems (heartburn?). You may want to consider Zantac 150 mg twice a day, or 300 mg at bedtime for hyperacidity. But do go in to tell your doctor about the clay colored stools.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.

Detailed Answer:
If you are also having fevers or chills plus stiff, painful neck, then don't wait for your appointment, go in to be checked today.

Otherwise, it's hard to say without doing an exam. You may have a virus that is causing all of this. Stress and overwork can sometimes cause a tight neck. But let the doctor know and she in addition to an exam, she will probably order a CBC (complete blood count) to look for infection. If the fatigue has been going on longer, then a thyroid blood test would be a good idea too.

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