Floating Poop for more than 2 weeks...
Posted , 4 users are following.
So, I admit I'm a huge health anxiety freak, and I do see someone for it. Still when issues pop up, I panic. A little over two weeks ago I noticed my stools were floating. I didn't think anything about it at first, because from time to time it happens. But it has now happened for every single stool since then (about 20 or so). Otherwise the stools appear normal. I did the worst thing possible and used Google to find that PC is a possibility, albiet with a lot of other things that could cause it as well. I sent a message to my doctor and he basically said it's probably nothing but if it continues and there is a bad odor I should come in for tests.
So basically at this point I'm freaking out, just over floating poop. But I haven't changed my diet at all (in fact I've quit eating sweet snacks AND pop since this started hoping it would help), so I can't get it out of my head. I hate having this anxiety take over my life. Anyway, any encouraging thoughts would be helpful. I'm basically just looking for reassurance, anywhere, at this point.
Thanks for reading....
0 likes, 15 replies
epicurean
Posted
A little more info - I'm 41 years old, don't smoke, very light drinker (drank heavier in college, but a beer a week at most now). No history of PC in the family. Caucasian male. Have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes three times in the past, but every subsequent visit I was able to get my A1C back in the normal range, where it's remained the last 5 years or so.
Can't think of anything else relevant, but open to questions....
chelsey72022 epicurean
Posted
hey, the floating poo really could be from so many things. Usually gas makes it more buoyant and causes it to float. If you notice pain or floating stools or that the smell is really rancid then I would get checked out.. If it makes you feel any better my 4 year olds stools float on and off all the time and she does not have any kind of pancreas disease..
yvonne86771 epicurean
Posted
I'm sorry I'm unable to reassure you
I was diagnosed in March and still not seen specialist to see dietician I feel so frustrated and let down,
o had a CT scan having had problems with my digestive system for years I too suffer anxiety so i put away at back of my mind well i try , mine is a block on my digestive duck byva gall stone I still don't know if they are unblockibg. ask for blood tests to check your enzymes in yr liver That's how mine was spotted! years of vomiting and agonising pain To finally be told thid
I hopr you get sorted it might not be you would havd had a lot of pain and sickness hopr thid helps
Yvonne
epicurean yvonne86771
Posted
So what were you diagnosed with? Pancreatic Cancer or pancreatitis or just the blockage?
yvonne86771 epicurean
Posted
chronic Pancreatitis the blockage is still present, I was clear of cancer but will need reg check ups for this I haven't had another test its been 4 month , likr I say im dissapointed to say the least at the specialist !
epicurean yvonne86771
Posted
Sorry to hear you're not getting the help you need. Hope you get in soon! Glad it wasn't PC!
epicurean
Posted
Got a message back from the doctor saying Pancreatic Cancer is a possibility but a very low likelihood. I'm just going to have to try and repeat "Very low likelihood" in my head for another week or so before I can get in for an appt, if it continues.
Deep breaths...this is going to be hell on my anxiety.
yvonne86771 epicurean
Posted
if your so worried go to the walk in centre ,
The doctor musnt think its cancer if he would have had you in straight away x
try relax if anything its out of your control x
Shortie79 epicurean
Posted
What other symptoms are you experiencing? Stools really aren't a huge deal with pancreatitis. I have had pancreas issues me entire life because I was born with a rare condition where my ducts didn't fuse together and it caused CP. It took the doctors over a year to diagnose because the pancreas is the hardest organ to diagnose. Floating stools can be from diet alone, now if they were pale/clay colored then that would be something to really pay attention to. Have you journaled your foods? You could be eating too much fat and your organs aren't digesting them accordingly or your gallbladder is on the fritz. Even with your age, you're still considered too young. I'm actually 39 and was dismissed because of my age. It wasn't until they found the Pancreas Divisium that the took me seriously. However, when you have CP there are a ton of symptoms, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss, migraines, pain after eating … the list goes on and on but the pain is debilitating. When the doctors are talking about floating stools they mean greasy stools, that rim the toilet (usually associated with malabsorption or EPI) floating stools is often common if you don't have a gallbladder. Even if you do have pancreas issues, all you need to do is seek a specialist and stay on a low fat/carb lifestyle. I have to have my pancreas removed August 1st, you can live without one nowadays. I've had more than 10 surgeries on my pancreas and 30 surgeries in life. Don't allow things out of your control to control your happiness, just live life. Even with a diagnosis nothing changes, you learn to live a new normal the only difference is, is there going to be physical pain everyday. I know easier said than done but what does anxiety do for you other than make you stress? Stay away from Dr. Google, it'll make you freak out over nothing.
epicurean Shortie79
Posted
Thanks for the message - and I know you are right about everything. Health Anxiety is terrible and I truly hate it. I've been seeing people for help with it for quite awhile now but when any physical symptoms come up they just seem to overwhelm me.
In response to some of your questions - I don't believe I've had any change in my diet, while the symptom started pretty suddenly. I have since stopped drinking soda as well as not eating any sugary desserts. I do get a fair bit of fiber, which can cause it, but I haven't increased the amount lately.
The good news is I don't really have any other symptoms. They're just floating, though looking normal otherwise. My health anxiety just goes to the worst possible possibility and thinks it could be the "first symptom". As I just posted above in the doctors response - Cancer is a possibility, but with very low likelihood. And I know that with this being the only symptom I have along with the fact that I have zero risk factors (other than being male) that I should not be worrying about this.
I really appreciate your response, though, it's the type I was hoping to get and helps at least a little.
yvonne86771 epicurean
Posted
sorry i can't say more
fat is a massive factor so im trying to eat lean protien .
I use to be vomiting and runs for two days in agony .. When i was fit to go to doctors it was put down to food poisoning, IBS, etc
I had endoscopy , my final illness
I had been out for a meal I had Gannon chips mushrooms it had all been dried and places on a hot plate it was lovely..that was around 1 pm aft ... about 9 pm wad being sick ( i live alone my daughter had gone home doesn't live local ) well it was like lumps massive half brick size thought i was gona choke as i was vomiting in the toilet it hit the bottom like a brick splashing out of the bowl ,, this continued all night ,
went to docs day after this is when i had the blood test and scans , diagnosedright away x
Shortie79 epicurean
Posted
Well I’ve been dealing with a pancreas specialist for two years. Before I was initially diagnosed with CP I was advised that unless I had a family history of CP, cystic fibrosis or Pancreas Divisum then it wasn’t likely I even had CP. After I got diagnosed with Pancreas Divisum my GI specialist thought my symptoms were IBS related. I know my body and knew losing almost 50 pounds in a matter of four months (being bed ridden) wasn’t IBS related nor was being nauseous and vomiting undigested food upon all hours of the day/night. My pancreas specialist ran a specific gene mutation marker test for PC. Due to my rare condition (usually found during autopsy) I was at higher risk for PC. I kept getting attack after attack because my ducts would clogged up. My blood work never showed pancreatic problems but my liver enzymes always elevated. Now any time I feel pain I rest my pancreas (I don’t eat solid foods for a couple days). I also have to substitute certain items, those with CP have to eat six small meals rather than three big ones (easier to digest). Applesauce instead of apples, frozen veggies instead of raw, these are things each of us have to endure and see what works for us because foods are triggers for an attack. It’s a little more difficult for me because I don’t have an appendix or gallbladder so I have to be really good about fat. Stress is another trigger therefore I try and avoid it. I’m on a ton of different medications due to multiple medical conditions but I really just try and live each day the best I can.
epicurean Shortie79
Posted
Thanks for sharing your story. I love your optimistic outlook! I certainly haven't gone through anything like that yet!
Shortie79 epicurean
Posted
I have learned a lot through my journey. My entire life was flipped upside down in 2014. I was taken off work for medical reasons and everything was out of my control. After struggling for two years I finally accepted it all. I went through everything I could do to get better and back to the “old me” but I let the old me go. I received my pancreas diagnosis the day my dad passed away. That day I promised my dad I would be okay. I intend to keep that promise. With technology nowadays we’re very spoiled and we tend to lose our patience. I learned a ton of patience with my medical journey. I found this forum which really helps me because no one understands the literal pain the pancreas can induce except those who suffer from it. My family is very supportive and my kids have had to literally take care of me but at the end of the day it’ll make them stronger men/husbands. I’m very honest with my family and explain what I go through. If I’m in a lot of pain I’ll let them know because I tend to get grouchy from meds sometimes. Communication is key with my family. I also have to travel to get any pancreas related medical help. There’s no hospital in my area that has the equipment or doctors who can treat me. Since I have a nerve disease called complex regional pain syndrome it makes everything more severe but I know everything happens for a reason. No matter what is thrown my way, it’s up to me regarding how I handle it. I choose to not allow things to get the best of me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m scared of my surgery but I’m having the islet cell transplant to my liver. My liver will produce insulin for approximately five years and I’ll be dependent upon digestive enzymes but I won’t be diabetic right away. I always try and look for the positives instead of focusing on anything negative. It took me awhile to get where I’m at but when you’ve gone through what I have, you tend to be happy with what little you’re capable of doing each day.
yvonne86771 epicurean
Posted
o love ice cream especially mr whippy I'm presuming I'm in a good place coz i still havd ice cream amongst other stuff , so I'll keep on as i am untill i can't ! Then i think if I cut things out now i might have my pancreas a bit longer, I don't know coz i dont see anyone to ask !