Diarrhea, loose stool for over 6 weeks. What is wrong with me?

[revamp]

I am a 27 yr old female with an extremely healthy history (only visits to the Dr. are for an occasional sinus infection once every 3-4 yrs and regular exams)

Approximately 7 weeks ago, I began to have diarrhea 3-6 times a day, with a slight decline in appetite.  At this time, I was also preparing for relatives to fly in and visit, my significant other (who is in the military) received orders to deploy to Iraq, and I was in the midst of looking for a job.

Because of all this, I attributed the diarrhea to stress and figured it would pass.  To make a long story short, it hasn't.  Since it started, I have not had a single day with a normal bowel movement.  Other than the diarrhea (and perhaps a slight depression from this going on for so long) there are no other symptoms.  No pain, no appreciable loss of appetite, no fever or anything like that.

The diarrhea is worst in the mornings...I usually get cramping and the urgent need to "go" about 20-30 minutes after waking up and eating a small something for breakfast.  After the first bout, I usually have to enter the bathroom again a couple more times before I leave for work in the morning.  Frequently (but not always) I also have this same behavior after eating lunch.

The diarrhea/loose stool is always light-colored, sometimes yellowish (my stool is normally a medium brown color).  It is often accompanied by gas, and varies between completely unformed diarrhea, and thin (pencil-thick) VERY soft stools.

Pepto Bismol doesn't do much to help, other than darken the stool.  I haven't tried taking anything else, since I have no other symptoms and don't want to further upset my system.

I currently am waiting for my health insurance coverage to kick in before going to the Dr. (3 more weeks) But with me working now, the frequent diarrhea is more of an issue than it was when I was in and around the house all day.

In doing research on the web, it seems my symptoms most closely resemble a Giardia infection, but I wanted to see what the opinions were here, and if there is anything I can do to lessen my symptoms while I am waiting to see my own Dr.

[kidcoconut]

Hi, Just wondering how you made out. I've had loose stools for about 6 weeks, but it is now getting much better. I've been on this Colonix cleansing and parasite product for 2 1/2 weeks. Now I get about 4 movements between 7 am and 10 am, first two and usually 3 are normal, then the last is almost always loose. Today I could clearly see whole pieces of vegtables I ate for lunch yesterday. How is yours doing?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Possible causes can include irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and various types of infection (i.e. bacteria or parasitic).  

Further testing should include stool samples testing for various types of bacterial or parasite infections - including Giardia.  If an infection is found, appropriate antibiotics or antifungal medications can be prescribed.

With the diarrhea persisting, I would consider some sort of lower endoscopy to evaluate for cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy can be considered to evaluate these possibilities.  This would be especially prudent with the thin stool caliber.

These options should be discussed with your personal physician.

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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com