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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Diarrhea For 5-6 weeks.
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.
Diarrhea For 5-6 weeks.
by cosmopolite, Feb 19, 2007 12:00AM
I have had diarrhea that has lasted for about 6 weeks now. Around the 3rd or 4th week, I went to my doctor. He prescribed a week's worth of metronidazole. After a few days of taking this medication, I began to have normal stools. When I stopped the medication, my diarrhea, or loose stools slowly started returning to the current state it is in now. This has lead me to believe that I possibly have an infection which wasn't totally wiped out by the antibiotics.
I went back to the doctor and had some blood tests / stool tests done. Everything came back to me normal. I suggested to him that I should be back on the antibiotics because my stool returned to normal on them and that maybe the antibiotics didn't get everything. He told me that the antibiotics would of killed everything and that it might just be indigestion. I'm not sure I believe him!
All of my bowel movements have been pretty normal. I have no headaches, fever, no blood in the stool, no pain. The only symptoms that I did have were when I first started to have some bloating / stomach upsetness after possibly eating or drinking something funky. Since then I've had the diarrhea but no serious bloating or stomach issues. At times my bowels have felt slightly inflamed- and the gas / stool that I have has a putrid smell.
I have an appointment with a GI specialist tomorrow, but I just would like some more advice on what the next step should be. Could a worm, ringworm or parasites sneak by my test results and escape antibiotic treatment? I'd like to try all of my options before having a colonoscopy.
I went back to the doctor and had some blood tests / stool tests done. Everything came back to me normal. I suggested to him that I should be back on the antibiotics because my stool returned to normal on them and that maybe the antibiotics didn't get everything. He told me that the antibiotics would of killed everything and that it might just be indigestion. I'm not sure I believe him!
All of my bowel movements have been pretty normal. I have no headaches, fever, no blood in the stool, no pain. The only symptoms that I did have were when I first started to have some bloating / stomach upsetness after possibly eating or drinking something funky. Since then I've had the diarrhea but no serious bloating or stomach issues. At times my bowels have felt slightly inflamed- and the gas / stool that I have has a putrid smell.
I have an appointment with a GI specialist tomorrow, but I just would like some more advice on what the next step should be. Could a worm, ringworm or parasites sneak by my test results and escape antibiotic treatment? I'd like to try all of my options before having a colonoscopy.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Feb 20, 2007 12:00AM
, Feb 20, 2007 12:00AM
Testing the stool should be done, looking for parasites that can be causing the diarrhea. At this point, I would also test the stool for C Difficile - a bacteria that can lead to marked diarrhea.
A CT scan can be considered to look for inflammation that may suggest colitis.
However, if the symptoms continue, and the tests continue to be non-revealing, I agree with the colonoscopy being the next step. Non-infectious causes like inflammatory bowel disease can lead to prolonged diarrhea. The colonoscopy would be the best test to rule this out.
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_
A CT scan can be considered to look for inflammation that may suggest colitis.
However, if the symptoms continue, and the tests continue to be non-revealing, I agree with the colonoscopy being the next step. Non-infectious causes like inflammatory bowel disease can lead to prolonged diarrhea. The colonoscopy would be the best test to rule this out.
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_
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Feel better.
After I took the metronidazole it took me 8 months to return to normal.
i have been having problems for almost 5 months now.................stool for o&p were negative but bloating responded to flagy, stools aren't as frequentl! it's been a month and i'm somewhat better but still continue with weird abdominal symptoms, occasional low grade fever. i have gained a few pounds back and am eating again! i'm hoping this is just going to disappear..................can you fill me in on your prolonged recovery......i need hope!