Concerns about previous ulcer and bowel movements

[Wildfire Girl]

I have a few minor concerns to address. I am a fairly healty, active, happy 26 year old woman.  Over a year ago I was diagnosed with an ulcer, aggrevated by a bacterial infection.  This diagnosis came about after two weeks of vomiting, diaherra, nausea, light-headedness, etc.  My doc put me on Prilosec to lower my stomach acids and it gradually got better and I went off the medicine.

This past summer I have developed a premature heartbeat, and have also noticed similar, although very low key, symptoms as when I had the ulcer.  Though I am not too concerned because it doesn't bother me much.

But I have noticed that occasional bowel movements, while otherwise normal outside of a little nausea feeling, have resulted in slightly slimy stool.  I am wondering if this is anything to be concerned about, and what might cause this.  Could it be a new vitamin or a change in diet?  Or a more serious underlying health problem?  My stool is not regularly slimy, just occasionally and just barely.

[Wilson]

I think the heatbeat thing is unrelated. It sounds to me like irritable bowel syndrome. Mucus in the stool is a classic symptom. However, I believe from personal experience that many IBS symptoms are caused by food allergies or intolerances. You might want to try some dietary changes or even get allergy tested. Milk, wheat, soy, nuts, eggs, and shellfish are some of the more common allergens.

Other than that, I don't know whether h. pylori (the bacteria I assume was associated with your ulcer) can cause mucus in the stool. Did you have this symptom back when you had the ulcer before?

[Wildfire Girl]

There is mucus surrounding the stool.  Not drastic, just there.

[Wilson]

What do you mean by "slimy"? Do you mean soft, or perhaps there's a bit of mucus -? Either way it doesn't seem like anything too serious, especially if it's sporadic and you feel generally OK. I would try making some dietary changes, and if it still concerns you or becomes worse, maybe see a gastroenterologist.