Digestive Problem Question (Poop, Bloating)

[gwtx2]

47 yo male, non smoker/drinker. For several months, I've been bloating after some meals. Indigestion occasionally, but no heartburn or reflux. My bowel movements are usually once daily and are dark orange to brown in color. Sometimes the stools are 1-2 pieces, sometimes 4 or more. Thickness varies from normal to small diameter. Also, I sometimes have what looks like a film on the water. Not sure if this is oil or maybe mucous. I found a picture of what this film looks like, http://hubpages.com/hub/Have-you-examined-your-stools-poo-lately. It is picture #1.

I had a colonoscopy/endoscopy three years ago and everything was ok. I recently had an ultrsound and everything looked normal (liver, gallbladder, and what could be seen of the pancreas). The spleen was in the higher limits of the normal range, however. The doctor said this was nothing to be concerned about. I have no consistent pain, except when bloated I get gas pressure. I've tried cutting out certain foods, including coffee, dairy, etc, etc. I have not tried breads. I can bloat on a banana and not bloat on a greasy meal. So, oils don't seem to make a difference.

I have been one to occasionally bloat for many years (like once every month for 3-4 hours), but the recent bloating has been daily and really full. There have been some stressors in my life this year but they have been resolved. I am not losing weight and very healthy/active individual. Recent tests for liver enzymes, blood counts, glucose, etc., etc are all normal.

The doc wants to do another endoscope after the first of the year. It first wanted to do a HIDA scan but I talked him into the endoscope first. Digestive cancers run deep in my family. My father passed away of stomach cancer. Although, I do not think my symptoms are cancer related, especially after a clear checkup three years ago. Thanks.

[gwtx2]

A stool test revealed many Blastocystis hominis. Some recommended supplements, two daily Saccharomyces boulardii, daily probiotics, l-glutamine, cutting down on carbs, no coffee, and a few other things has brought this condition under control at least 80-90% in three weeks. The stool test had revealed no fat or mucous so I don't know what was floating on the water. I would suspect I've had blasto for years, like many other folks and a few months of stress caused a proliferation.

[gwtx2]

@researchaholic, thanks for the comments. I'll try the gluten elimination. Like you said it won't be easy but a little suffering is worth the trouble if it solves the puzzle.  I'll post back later.

[researchaholic]

Sorry for your suffering-nauseau and bloating just wear you out. Just a few thoughts... Has ypur doc checked you for h.pylori, celiac disease or just wheat/gluten sensitivity?  With the "oil or mucous"- they should check stool samples and be able to tell if you have some type of malabsorption which has many possible causes.  A HIDA scan does carry a large amount of radiation exposure so I would want to know what he is "looking for" as opposed to a fishing  expedition.Now is a good time to keep a detailed food diary and see if there is any correlation.  You could try a short fast and then reintroduce foods one @ a time (elimination diet).  More and more research is showing that a large number of people testing negative on a celiac panel still have a gluten/wheat problem and since you haven't tried eliminating bread you might start there- but be aware that gluten is in a huge amount of the foods we eat so it does take some careful checking to make sure you have gone totally gluten free.  Doing this fast(glutens) will change the test results so make sure the doc doesn't want to test you before you fast.  I'm sure with the colon/endoscopies they would have found diverticulitis ,inflammatory bowel disease-or the dreaded "we don't have a clue so let's call it irritable bowel syndrome".  Galbladder problems or a sphincter of oddi dysorder would likely be causing a lot or urq pain but if you are at the start of a developing problem the symptoms could be milder.  Sorry I can't be more definative-even physicians admit that GI problems are a real puzzle to solve.  Hopefully you have a GI and not a GP in on this?  Google some of the above things and see if any of your symptoms sound the same or give you some questions for the doc.  As someone who lost over 60 pounds until my symptoms became severe enough for concern by the docs I mainly wanted to say that you should insist on to be taken seriously now.  Anything wrong with a GI system will ultimately become a systemic one if you are unable to digest food (malabsorption), eat properly,etc. because your electrolites, vitamins,minerals,etc. will become affected making it much harder for you to advocate for yourself and push for answers. Hope this will help you...Would be interested if any of these sound like possible culprits after you do some "googling".  Emedicine is usually this first place I start.  Let me know what you find out and BTW- can't wait to check out "have you examined out your poo" ! What will they think of next!  Best wishes on your search and Namaste

[gwtx2]

anybody?

[gwtx2]

And I forgot to mention that I sometimes get mild nausea when bloated but have never vomited.