Chills, watery stool, weird finding in latest stool

[texanchevy]

Hello.  This is something im nervous to talk about to a doctor in person, so i thought i would check here to see if i should be really concerned before I go to the doc.

I get watery stools alot...maybe at least once a week.  I think the fact that im usually nervous (some anxiety issues)might contribute to that.  But tonight when I went to the bathroom i noticed something fall into the toilet from myserlf..it appeared to be white (about half an inch long) and kind of looked like the white of an egg.  So, out of curiousity I got the thing out and put it in a ziplock bag. Upon closer inspection, it looks kind of like the cartilidge of say a chicken leg...and it was hard in feeling.  I was just wondering what it could possibly be. (I had some pork ribs the night before if that helps).  Should I be conserned?

Also, I notice a very very small almost movable kind of lumpish thing (though not perfectly round like a ball - feels kind of like a thick wire) in my left lower portion of my ribcage...kind of sitting above and slightly between two ribs.  Feels like its attached to the ribs. It doesnt hurt and is more feelable when sitting and slouching.  Just wondering if its cause for alarm as far as tumors go...im one of those who starts thinking things anytime something is different.


Thanks!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Tough to say without examination.  Things that can cause chronic diarrhea would be infection, irritable bowel disease, pancreatitis or malabsorption syndromes.  

I would consider seeing a physician to send off a sample of the stool for ova and parasites and culture.  An endoscopy - either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy - can be considered for further evaluation.  More stool tests can be done to evaluate for malabsorption.

As for the lump at the left lower ribcage - I can't say what it is without examination.  Starting off with some kind of imaging study would be a reasonable step.

You can discuss these options 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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[texanchevy]

Its me texanchevy.......I forgot to mention that I am a 21 year old male.