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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Chronic loose / green stool.
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Chronic loose / green stool.
by coast builder, Mar 04, 2006 12:00AM
A little background first. My wife is about 50 and her condition has been getting steadily worse over the last 10 years. Her symptoms are loose stools (almost liquid now and since the last operation and corses of antibiotics green in color) , allergic reactions to several foods (most supplements are not well tolerated) and bad looking skin with some breakouts. She has had multiple courses of antibiotics and, earlier in her history, was diagnosed with lupus and treated with steroids. She also has cluster migraine headaches which she takes Motrin for.
In my research over the years I currently believe that she has advanced Candida (systemic), problems with the small intestine (perforations?) which allow food particles to pass through causing the allergic reactions. From time to time she has been tested and found to have blood in the stool. She has been blood tested several time for any sign of cancer and they always come back negative in that regard, she has also been tested recently for parasites, also negitave. The latest tests indicated very low b12 for which she took shots and a low thyroid function for which she was given an enzyme?.
So….. if she does have serious damage to the small intestine, from the Candida or the Motrin how do we treat for it at this point, can you describe a protocol to help heal the small intestine??
When in Colorado a doctor placed her on Diflucan and she improved but we have not found another doctor here that looked at her in the same way and treated for Candida.
In my research over the years I currently believe that she has advanced Candida (systemic), problems with the small intestine (perforations?) which allow food particles to pass through causing the allergic reactions. From time to time she has been tested and found to have blood in the stool. She has been blood tested several time for any sign of cancer and they always come back negative in that regard, she has also been tested recently for parasites, also negitave. The latest tests indicated very low b12 for which she took shots and a low thyroid function for which she was given an enzyme?.
So….. if she does have serious damage to the small intestine, from the Candida or the Motrin how do we treat for it at this point, can you describe a protocol to help heal the small intestine??
When in Colorado a doctor placed her on Diflucan and she improved but we have not found another doctor here that looked at her in the same way and treated for Candida.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 05, 2006 12:00AM
, Mar 05, 2006 12:00AM
The theory of leaky bowel and Candida overgrowth is a favorite of alternative medicine practitioners. There is no consensus data to support this hypothesis as a cause for the symptoms.
If the diarrhea continues, you can consider further evaluation with a colonoscopy, stool samples looking for fat malabsorption, or blood tests for celiac disease. Ruling out infection, inflammatory bowel disease or malabsorption should all be done with the aforementioned tests.
If negative, irritable bowel syndrome can be considered.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a gastroenterologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
If the diarrhea continues, you can consider further evaluation with a colonoscopy, stool samples looking for fat malabsorption, or blood tests for celiac disease. Ruling out infection, inflammatory bowel disease or malabsorption should all be done with the aforementioned tests.
If negative, irritable bowel syndrome can be considered.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a gastroenterologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
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I am not familiar whith the test for fat malabsorption but she has had the blood test for celiac disease and it was negitave. We plan to due further tests but due to the recient surgery a colonoscopy is going to be several months out.
Is there a diet that is recomended for someone with the symptoms of the rapid movement of food through the small intestine? 30 minuits or less. The alergic reaction to the 2 oral antibiotics has made this much worse.
Thanks
My wife has been retested for Lupis agian and the tests have come back negative, we were told she in in remission. Who knows, it is hard to tell with all the different input we have been given. Right now we are trying different diets to see if any will produce some improvement.