worried about my dad

my father has diarrhea for 4 months now doctor keep sending him home and saying it is his diet.I am not a doctor but i know it is something more than that, he is having a colonoscapy soon, my question to any one is! he is not janadus he still feels good except for the weightlose which is 50lb since dec.no pain,but has gas and also he goes ( diarrhea ) 20mins after he eats something.No blood just watery diarrhea he said it is light tan color no mucus all water. I have him eating small portion of food and drinking lots of fluids.Could this be Pancreas cancer? One doctor mentions that.He is 74 years of age he has drank alcohol all he life has not to bad of a healthy diet like to eat sweets. please give me a better out look .

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the colonoscopy, as it can rule out many of the major lower GI disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, a polyp or mass.

The stool should be tested for infection and fat malabsorption.  Blood tests can be considered to look for celiac disease.  

If the pancreas is of concern, imaging with a CT scan would be a reasonable initial test.

These options can 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.
kevinmd_

[lizziecee]

Hi there - so empathasise with your Dad's problems. Dr. is right in suggesting various tests.

I got Crohn's disease when 24 yrs old (now 62 and still living a good life, although I also have breast cancer) - and my only symptoms were severe weight loss and diarrohea. Colonoscopy wasn't available then in 1970 so I had a laparatomy which diagnosed some 15 different ulcers and abscesses in my small bowel. Too many to resect.  I was put on some 60 mg of prednisolone (a steroid) a day, which reduced the inflammation. I now self inject methotrexate once weekly, which keeps the problem under control. there are many new meds to control Crohn's.

Your Dad's symptoms seem to be some kind of inflammatory bowel disease, either Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis - symptoms are similiar but meds very different.

When I was first dx (after some 11 months of investigations in 5 different hospitals in London, UK) no-one had ever heard of Crohn's then. least of all me, , but I did meet a gentleman of some 69 yrs in hospital who was diagnosed with Crohn's. So don't rule it out, our celieac disease.  A good gastro can find the cause.

Hope all goes well and you get yout Dad's problem sorted out.
Kind regards, Liz.