Watery diarrhea once or twice a week

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Having diarrhea on weekly or bi weekly basis for about two half months , when I first got it I was passing stalls that where all shades of brown from pale to medium brown. Colour has now levelled off to a mediumish brown . However I get diarrhea which is watery explosive but will only be once or possibly twice, worst ways 3 times in that day. However I have noticed on days that I have normal stools I sometimes feel that I haven't completely cleared my bowels, if I sit there and persist this will either result in soft stools or diarrhea if anything else comes out. On some days I have a lot of wind , upstairs , downstairs and stomach .

I've had full blood tests twice with nothing showing up, had several stool tests, only one which showed anything out of ordinary was faecal Calprotectin which shows intestinal inflammation which was elevated . Even an abdominal ultra sound showed nothing. My GP has referred me to a GI specialists but my appointment is not till mid January. My GP does not seem worried , that doesn't count for me , I'm scared.

Other symptoms I have are random abdominal and lower chest pains front and back, and a slightly bitter taste in mouth some days. Initially I lost some weight and appetite (some of which was down to anxiety ) however my appetite is good now and I've put back on some of lost weight. I don't tend to pass blood, however on the odd occasion i have I think was down to aggravated haemorrhoids (according to doctor).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this .

Jim

Any thoughts pls

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  • Posted

    I have had an assumption of IBS for years. I say assumption because IBS is larlgely a disgosis arrived at by exclcuion of other more seriuous things.  It sounds to me that you have IBS and probably excessive acid so they need to try you out on different drugs like meberverine / buscopan for relief of iBS and proton pump inhibitor like lanzarprozole for acid

    I was very obeseed with the colour of the stool and only recently understood that provided there is no bleeding in tbe colon stool colour is largely deretmined by what you eat but also how long the stool is inside you. Apparently it starts off green and gradually gets darker depending on how long it is in you

    My guess - i am a patient not a doctor - is that you are looking at sypmtom relief not a cure. I have spent years looking for a cure but because there is no clear pathologial condition there is no clear cure Sadly worrying makes things worse so try to watch what you eat, stay busy and do things you enjoy so you are not constantly worrying.  Hope this helps but ask more of PM me if you need t0

    • Posted

      Hi Jon thanks for taking the time to reply.

      I too have definitely obsessed over the colour of my stools and more recently the consistency.

      You are right about stress and the symptoms, it's a vicious circle of symptoms make you worry and stress which makes symptoms worse , I'm now on beta blockers to try and control these.

      It's strange the difference it makes to my day going to the toilet and passing a solid , reasonable color stool . I've become completely preoccupied with this . Thank you

  • Posted

    Hi Jimbo, 

    Sorry to hear of your worries, If the Doctors are coming up with nothing from the scans etc, then I would consider this to be food related. as well as stress related. 

    Have you tried changing your diet and keeping a small diary on any changes. 

    If not then if you try things such as cutting out Gluten, Beef, Lamb, Turkey, and full fat dairy produce  . . 

    To dry up down below dried cornflakes are quite good for absorbing acid collection at both ends. 

    Again perhaps take a look at Nature's Physician Global Health Mission Site and go to Food/General Health page, if you don't want to read the first section  scroll down to the bottom and press the Link that relates to you the best. 

    Certainly the combination of negative foods for your specific chemical balance on top of stress doesn't make for  healthy innards and can leave you exhausted, drained and anxious. 

    If you would like to discuss this further then just leave a note. 

    However, one last thing, congratulations on typing something up here because often the male Species keep this kind of a worrying issue to themselves. So well done, maybe your message here will encourage others to share their issue and hopefully feel better after choosing which ever path they wish to take. 

    • Posted

      Hi Judi thanks for taking the time to reply.

      My symptoms especially my early ones have been difficult to ignore which is what pushed me to seek advice outside of Dr. When you're used to things being a certain, colour , consistency and frequency and then all 3 change over a period of just over 2 months it is difficult no to be concerned irrespective of what my dr says.

      I already have been keeping a diary of what I eat and bowel movements for when I finally do get to see GI .

      I will definitely try dry cornflakes to try and absorb acids , problem with diet changes is it has no immediate effect so it becomes difficult to decipher what is upsetting you digestive system and what isn't . Thanks again for taking time to respond Jim

  • Posted

    Jim, I started this journey 29 years ago. Ibs I've figured is kind of generic for they truly don't know for sure what causes it and what can help. What I've read, heard from others is women more than men get it, lots start after having babies, the doc say that your gut flora is out of balance, but it can happen after surgery where they've had to handle your insides, stress, worrying, food all has parts in it. I suggest a food diary to keep track of what' you've eaten and if you have a flare up. I also kept a journal of color, whether it was like water or just very loose like cow patties, or watery with bits of solids. And how often, if gas is involved, how long after I ate did the flare to happen. Some people have problems with dairy, some with acid type foods, some spices. I still have flares some times every day, sometimes 1-2 times a week, yes sometimes blood does happen because of the irritation of the diarrhea.  When this first started I ate no red sauces, so no pastas, meatloaf or pizza,  salads and green leafy things are good for those that suffer constipation but for those with ibs-d not so much the same with water. Your best bet is to start a journal keep track of your flares and food. But ibs varies from person to person, so lower stress, keep busy until you figure yours out. I know salads, veggies, fruits at least to much, 3 8 oz bottles of water, tomatoes, more than a palm amount of nuts, onions, stress, are some of mine. They gave me Bentyl it did not work for me, so I carry immodium with me I never leave home without it. I've joked I should own stock in it. 
    • Posted

      Hi Peggy thanks for your response. I've been keeping a journal of food and bowel movements for just over a month now. Thing that worries me is the bowel inflamation may prove to be colitis.

      All I've worked out is excessive red meat or fatty meat has a tendency to start things off.

      As you say IBS is an all encompassing excuse for what the doctors can't explain. I didn't realise that Imodium could be taken without restriction.

      Thanks again for you time Jim

    • Posted

      OK fatty meat sets off your symptoms.

      Try to keep off fatty foods altogether and see what happens.

      Have you any pain or just a change in stools?

      If it is IBS stress willnot help so try not to worry.

      That is not to say ignore symptoms but if yu have been to Dr and he is not worried I would say it is nothing serious.

      Take care and keep in touch

      Sarah

    • Posted

      Hi Sarah than you for taking time to reply . Although I didn't mention pains I've had upper and lower abdominal pains mainly left side (front , back and side at bottom of rib cage). Also had repetitive pain towards the bottom of my rib cage on left back and pains around bottom of breast bone area , this last pain comes and goes but when it's there it is sensitive to touch.

      I'm on beta blockers and anti depressants which are helping to keep me calm but they haven't helped with diarrhoea. Thank you Jim

    • Posted

      Jim, immodium sold over the counter I lived on the stuff I'm not as bad as I was for the first 10 years. But I still have flares when I've gone to long without eating then eat my insides start spasaming and sometimes it's only 2-3 times sometimes off and on for hours. If I'm home I let it run it's course if I'm out before I eat I take 3 then if needed more. Sometimes I can tell I just need to go home before I have an accident. By all means see a doctor rule out colitis, or diverticulitis, there are new medicines that may be able to help you. I have other health issues that sometimes contribute to mine. I have had a section of my colon removed because of a pre cancerous polyp, I've had another surgery that was taking out scar tissue and got real close to the sphincter muscle  which really means I can't clinch my butt to keep from having an accident, and I have diabetes. So really the things good for my diabetes is not so good for my ibs, and the foods good for my ibs is not so good for the diabetes so I balance one day for diabetes the next for ibs. Get your doctor to check you out first then go from there. As for immodium follow the directions if you need to take it, but ask your gp first. I've been at this a long time and it started when my husband was in the army and the doctors said it was in my head lol. That was before they termed ibs.
    • Posted

      Hi Peggy I don't know if you suffer from anxiety or hypertension, it seems that many people who have IBS do suffer from one or both to some extent. If it is the case with you too have you tried to control that aspect and see if it helps with your IBS. Although I'd say judging from some of the other things you've listed I don't think you'd need either of these to have IBS.

      Personally I'm on beta blockers and citalopram (antidepressants), since this has all started, it's helped a bit I think but I still get weekly bouts of watery diarrhea .

      Thanks Jim

    • Posted

      Hi Jim, no I do not have either of these. Might have had anxiety when this first started 29 years ago as I just had a baby was nursing which created it's own issues got worse after the next baby. Kinda hard to have a flare and 2 babies lol. But we were a military family and I learned to suck it up buttercup. But I just started paying attention after about 4 years of dealing with it. Plus I moved across the country 1800 miles from home with 2 small kids and boy that's when I got serious because it was interfering with my life with the boys and my daughter. I have had flares where I've taken 9 immodiums and it was just slowing it down barely those are the days I stayed home and  close to the bathroom. I don't have many times like that now. May 2-3 times a year. Stress does play a big part in it though. So I try to let the things I can't fix roll off my back, sometimes I can't but I have just learned what works for me. I have had all tests done so I know I don't have colitis, or Chrons, I do have a bit of diverticulitis so seeds and nuts if I eat to much will cause a flare. That's why I said a journal it will help so you can know or at least rule in or out what causes your issues. Cause honestly every persons body reacts differently to their triggers. As I've said red sauces were a big one for me and for 3-4 years I wouldn't touch them then slowly I started eating them again so it might mean you need to take things out and then slowly re introduce them to see if that's a trigger. 
    • Posted

      Hi Peggy do you have any abdominal / chest pains ,front/back/side or stomach pains , I seem to get a fair amount of these . Literally in all the above areas.

      I don't really know what to blame for my problem, yes I was stressed a lot just prior to onset but that stress is under control now. I also thought it may have been medication I was taking at time but I've stopped that too only for the problem to stay. As I'm sure you can understand it becomes a bit of a worry when you end up with different bathroom habits. Literally my whole day can be made better just by having a 'normal' bowel movement or turned on its head by a loose or pale looking one. I've literally become a toilet watcher lol. Thanks Jim

    • Posted

      Hi Jim, I have stomach pain sometimes lower in the pelvic area, never have chest pain. I can have a normal bm then eat something or a combo of things then have a flare. The color isn't anything you truly need to worry about as poo can be light yellow color to a dark brown depending on what and how much of things you've eaten. If it looks like milk of magnesia, or milk and it persists for a week then you may want to call your doctor especially if pain in the back, and if your bloated and stay that way this can be saying you need to see a doc. The only other time is if your poo looks black and is tarrie looking and you see blood on the tp or in the  toilette. I don't know if once we get this ibs if it ever goes away. I'm beginning to think years ago people grew their own fruits and veggies and saved their seeds and they didn't have this problem. I'm inclined to think all these gmo crops that our processed and fruits and veggies are made from. But our gov  keeps saying we don't have the right to know. I live in mountains of eastern ky and do not have access to organic fruits and veggies unless I grow my own and I have not wanted to do this. I hope your docs can help but if you read things and then worry be careful how much you read. I just try to go with the flow. Keep worry and stress as low as possible and try to eat what works for your body.
  • Posted

    Jim,

    Did you ever arrive at a diagnosis?

     

    • Posted

      Mate I've had many test and been told all the following

      1) I have Crohns even though it hasn't appeared more recently even in a capsule endoscopy

      2) I have had Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, however my most recent test showed the EPI was returning to normal

      3) A HIDA scan showed I have Gallbladder Function issue however my gastroenterologist feels that removal of gallbladder will make matters worse.

      I have had many scans and tests yet nothing conclusive yet. I feel it's Pancreatic in nature due to how the problem is manifesting itself. However I have nothing concrete to prove it.

    • Posted

      Hi Jamie really sorry only just noticed I had this question this morning.

      I originally suspected the pancreas , I've had an MRI, CT and a Triple Phase Pancreatic Protocol CT. none of which show anything out of the ordinary. Many thanks Jim

    • Posted

      No worries, thanks for replying. Have you ever had an endoscopic ultrasound? I ask because it tends to show the pancreas better in terms of picking up chronic pancreatitis.

      I'm having the exact same symptoms as you, right down to the rib/back rib/chest abdominal pain with pain sometimes up between my shoulder blades (on the left side).

      My HIDA was normal, and no gallstones on ultrasound. However ON ultrasound it was noted that my celiac artery had high velocities when blood was flowing through when I expired. It was normal on inspiration. This is significant for something called "median arcuate ligament syndrome" (google it). I'm currently being worked up for this

      It can cause intermittent mesenteric ischemia due to lack of blood flow/compression. It can also cause exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and even chronic pancreatitis (again due to lack of blood flow). The signs that you might have this is easily identified on abdominal ultrasound, and the anatomy is confirmed on a CT angiogram which looks at the abdominal blood vessels & how blood flows thru them.

      My issues are primarily after a large meal. I get terrible left sided back pain, and the proceed to have horrid diarrhea, which goes on every time I eat something once I get "flared up". Anyhow, might be worth mentioning to your dr.

      I've managed to lose 15#-20# over the last 6 months which is when I started to really have symptoms.

      My GI did a bunch of labs which were normal, to rule out autoimmune bowel diseases, as well as celiac disease. I've had the hida, ultrasound, CTA (still awaiting results), and now, I'm in the process of getting an endoscopy and colonoscopy to rule out anything else. I'm also going to ask for an endoscopic ultrasound to really look at the pancreas.

      Anyhow, sorry so long winded. I'm glad you don't have pancreatic cancer ( which is what I was worried with because of the back pain!). Good luck!

    • Posted

      Jamie Pancreatic Cancer is a big scare, just the thought of it fills me with dread and I'm sure it does you too.

      On top of the scans I have mentioned earlier I have also had two Ultra sounds which also showed nothing, a Sehcat which came back normal, interestingly my HIDA was not good (only 24 where greater than 40 is acceptable), however my problems started in July 2015 , it wasn't until just after Christmas that I had any right hand pain at all, so I think the underlying cause of my EPI may also have effected my gallbladder function but I honestly don't believe the gallbladder underlies all my problems.

      I am going to see my Pancreatic specialist in about a month and hope to make a case for and Endoacopic Ultra Sound which as you say is highly regarded for CHronic Pancreatitis . Depending on where you are from the Secretin Stimulated MRCP is also a very good scan but I think it may only be available in the USA as I haven't found anywhere that does it over in the uk and that includes private. The SS-MRCP is to the Pancreas what the HIDA is to the gallbladder, it is really a Pancreatic function test, in itself it is probably not as capable as the EUS of seeing abnormalities, however it is a useful tool if you have pains and EPI but all other scans are clear. Good health ,Jim

    • Posted

      Hello Jimbo1968...

      I have been following your discussions and your journey towards a proper diagnosis. I am having very similar symptoms and had many of the same tests, I recently had a slightly elevated lipase level prior to gallbladder surgery and went ahead with the surgery once the lipase level came down after a clear liquid diet. Once surgery was over I again had pain and elevated lipase. I have lost a lot of weight and am currently undergoing more tests to include bloodwork, an MRI and eventually an EUS. I am very worried about PC because my grandfather had it.

      Can you tell me is your pain chronic....everyday? Did you or have you ever had a slightly elevated lipase? Other than my lipase, all my tests have been normal. I had an MRI 8 months ago which revealed nothing!

      My pain has been going on for a number of years and is getting worse. My biggest concern is weight loss  as I am unable to eat much.

      I know you mentioned having an appt. with a pancreas specialist...have you been able to get a proper diagnosis and are you felling any better? I really hope you are on the road to recovery. I do hope to hear from you!!! Best wishes!

    • Posted

      Claudia first thing and most important (if you ask me) if you have Facebook I'd like you to request to join a group called "Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency disorder support group (EPI) " they are real nice people , I'm a member there , my name is Jim Demetriou if you want to check that you've requested the right group.

      Anyway back to your questions , at an early stage of my problem (late August 2015 till about Jan 2016) where the pains were at their worst I did not have either an amylase or lipase which I feel was a missed opportunity as in hindsight I feel that I had a acute attack at that time, the pains were not continuous but they were more or less daily , at its worst it felt like someone had embedded a dagger into my left shoulder from the inside and upwards from my abdomen, I had pains in all the classic pancreas places too. Anyway I've had a CT, a MRI and a Pancreatic Protocol Triphase CT, all completely normal , despite this I've had flactuating Feacal elastase stool tests. 

      It is awful to even think about PC , firstly I have read that you have to have two people in your family with it before the risk increases for you, also I'm pretty sure there are people in the group I recommended with all the symptoms and a PC history in the family. 

      I was convinced for at least 6 months that I had PC, it is such an overwhelming thought that I was ignoring many other side issues I was having which were non Pancreatic, I am currently under diagnosis for a Autoimmune Disorder called Sjogrens .

      Without even knowing you I can only imagine how upset you must feel at the mere thought.

      If I can make a suggestion, (assuming you are a uk resident) if the anxiety gets too much and you can't wait (which is what happened to me), I went to barnet A& E in a distraught state , I didn't have to exaggerate much with the pain of the stool colour and explained my fears to a young Australian doctor, he was really understanding and said the the gold standard test for PC was the triple phase ct which is not available through A& E , he did however offer me a conventional CT and told me that if the normal ct was clear the triple phase would have nothing to be clearer with. Anyway it was clear as was the subsequent triphase one (he was right). 

      If I were you I would also draw comfort from the clear MRI, if you join the group I told you they will start talking about pancreas specific scans like the MRCP, in reality the image created by the MRCP of the pancreas is excactly the same as the MRI, however the MRCP includes images of the ducts that connect the pancreas to liver etc. 

      If you have any further questions I will be more than happy to answer. Jim X

    • Posted

      Hi Jim....

      Thank you so very much for your prompt and informative reply!....Yes, the anxiousness only adds to the discomfort. I will most definitely join that group on facebook however, I am in the US.

      I am sorry they never had the forethought to test your lipase during any of your attacks or when your pain was at its worst. My lipase has been tested over the last six months and only showed slight elevation in Septemeber. The reference range was 16-63 and the first test was 80 then after clear liquid diet for three days it dropped to within normal range. I then has the GB surgery and immediately after surgery it climbed to 96....then returned back to 31 again after clear liquids! I am in a "flare" right now for lack of a better word and feel certain they have risen again. Will test lipase again in the am. The GB surgery was only three weeks ago and the pathology DID NOT reveal sludge or stones which is generally seen with pancreatitis.....so I am at a loss.Back on liquids tonight but I hate the thought of losing more weight as I am already very thin. Funny thing is, I am not a drinker at all...and all I read about causes are related to alcohol and gallstones!!

      Did you ever have fever (slight) accompany your attacks or pain? I have all the classic symptoms including referred pain to back and shoulder however, all the pain is on the right, Go figure!!

      Did you ever get to see the specialist? How are you feeling. I can't thank you enough for responding. Look forward to hearing from you.  Claudia

    • Posted

      Also wanted to add that I was told that the lipase has to be 3 times outside the normal to be considered a definitive diganosis!
    • Posted

      From what you have told me and what I have heard from others it is quite possible that your gallbladder problem may have caused damage to the pancreas. 

      Interestingly although apparently my pains originated on the left , specifically pancreas , more recently I have had a lot of right handed pain. On my insistence a HIDA scan was performed which shows that my gallbladder function is bad . However I do not have stones . The gallbladder appears normal in 5 scans (Ultra Sound , CT , MRI ) . 

      I assume your gallbladder problem was stones . ? 

    • Posted

      Hi Jim .... interestingly enough there was no evidence of gallstones or sludge. I too had a HIDA scan which revealed an ejection fraction of only 18%. After removal the pathology stated that my galllbladder had scar tissue and showed only mild chronic inflammation. The surgeon said the gallbladder most likely did not cause my pancreatitis. All my scans previously did not show anything wrong with the gallbladder.

      Are you going to have your gallbladder removed? 

      Also, when you have a pancreatitis attack, do you get very bad liquid diarrhea? Sorry for such a bold question...but during this flare I am experiening liquid diarrhea...which I have never had up to this point. 

    • Posted

      This is quite interesting, my ejected fraction was 24 (still no good).

      During bad days I could've pee'd what I poohed literally. It was also quite acidic in nature and would really burn my bum, after going 5 or 6 times I did not want to wipe such was the tenderness and pain.

      Professor Steve Pereira who was the pancreatic specialist I saw advised against gallbladder removal on the basis it can cause more problems than it solves.  By way if you join the group do not feel shy to ask about bowel movements , it's part of the disorder and you should not feel embarrassed to ask.

      Can I ask have you have the feacal calprotectin and feacal elastase stool tests and if so do you know results . 

    • Posted

      That's exactly how my diarrhea has been the last to days Jim...just pure liquid. Generally speaking I have had quite the opposite for years now. Constantly dealing with constipation, i wonder if the gallbladder removal exacerbated my pancreas problem. 

      I think it was wise to not have your GB out as clearly it does not seem as though it solved my problem at all...quite the contrary.

      I have not had either one of those tests but will ask my Gastroenterologist for them. I have not heard of either one.

      Can you describe your pain and did you ever have a low grade fever with it?

    • Posted

      Sometimes the pain would be gnoring (this was most common) , but also stabbing pain  especially in left back , other times I would either have dull pains in the area or shooting pains. Also like a real nasty burning pain was common but like acid reflux but much worse in nature.

      Did you have either or both the stools tests I mentioned before. 

    • Posted

      Yes Jim my pain is the same and I was describe it as deep and boring dull aching with occasional stabbing. When It's really bad (like the last 24 hours) it feels like a deep burning/stinging pain.

      I have not had those two tests. I just called my gastro this morning and will ask for them. They are currently testing for autoimmune pancreatitis but I know that is rare.

    • Posted

      Autoimmune pancreatitis is not rare . In reality that is what I'm looking at, there are two types IgG4 positive which also produces pseudo cysts on organs and IgG4 negative which shows nothing on scans and is what I am. Disorders like Sjogrens & Lupus give you AiP to name two and there is stand alone AIP too.  Your Gp can order calprotectin, elastase is a gastro only stool test.

    • Posted

      That's interesting Jim. I thought it was a rare condition. I just looked at my bloodwork script and saw they have ordered IGG subclasses and ANA Quantitative...which is consistent with what you just text me. It seems you are light years ahead of me in terms of tests and diagnosis.

      What medicine do they have you on for pain and nausea...anything? I am currently taking something callled Zofran for the nausea. I do notice that when my pancreas flares, it is usually accompanied by a migraine or headache. Have you ever heard of this?

    • Posted

      BTW....they also ordered a lipid profile...what is that?

       

    • Posted

      I have been on long term steroids which have helped in the main. Interesting that they Ordered ANA and IgG4 without you having to kick and scream, which is what I had to do it's possible your inflammatory markers CRP or ESR are high which justifies the testing. Even if these tests come back negative it does not exclude the possibility of AIP , I have been in contact with many people with lupus whose blood tests come back negative until years later. By way have they ordered C3 & C4 (genetic tests I think).

      Where are you from, I'm from London England. 

      The correct medication to take with EPI is Creon. It will help with your diarrhoea (it is a replacement pancreatic enzyme).

      I had a brain MRI because my headaches were so severe it seemed like something more severe was going on. My pet hate is brain fog, if you've had it it won't require explanation.

    • Posted

      Lipids are like cholesterol etc which is the presence of fats.  It can be used as an indication of pancreatitis (amongst many other things)

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