I should clear up: "Greasy" in my case = not really. They're kind of shiny, not overtly, but I always figured that was either the mucus that's produced by the colon when passing it or just wetness from the water.
Hmm... Floating, yes. Smell... not more than usual. And they look about as "greasy" as they've always looked whenever they've floated. (I've had floaters before, lots of times, but never consistently for a week or more, at least not that I remember.) I'm thinking it has to be something causing increased gas because I recently tried taking Gas-X and the next day some of the stool I passed sank. (Of course, maybe I have increased gas DUE TO malabsorption, an irony considering I now have more acid to digest with.)
I doubt, too, that it's a stone, as I'm not feeling any pain. I've had the pain of passing small stones after my gallbladder surgery (not many, and not since a year or so after the surgery), and my sister was unlucky enough to have a stone lodged in her bile duct after her gallbladder removal, and there was a very definite, long-lasting (12hrs) pain with that. Still, this is something I'm sure my doctor will consider when I see him.
Good luck with your son's life. I wish you all the best.
Thanks for the response, Paulalex. However, this doesn't address the main question. I suppose I should break the questions down further, for more detail:
1) Has anyone else experienced increased gas after quitting PPIs?
2) Can the process of quitting PPI's change the intestinal flora such that there is more gas?
3) Will having or not having a gallbladder make a difference in whether a stool floats or not? (For example, now that I'm not on PPI's, could the extra acid be messing around with the enzymes, so that fat or other nutrients are not as well absorbed?)
Again, thank you for your answers and time.
Nick you replied to the wrong person.
Floating stools are an indication of the pancrease not processing enzymes needed to help function. I didn't read your entire page as I am trying to save my sons life and time is running out. I just happen to know a lot about floating stools and if they smell foul or greasy as well, it is the pancrease unable to asorb fat which you may thingk is great but it isn't. If you had gallbladder trouble, possible a stone is stuck in a duck to the pancrease or many other scenerios, I would see a GOOD GI doctor and wish the best as really in this world, their are no good doctors. You must diagnosis yourself and find the place best known. Though often if ranked in the top 10, you may find that they aren't good at all. God Bless
Most causes of floating stools are harmless. Usually, floating stools will go away without treatment.Floating stools alone are not a sign of an illness or other health problem.Many things can cause floating stools. Most of the time, floating stools are due to what you eat. A change in your diet may cause an increase in gas. Increased gas in the stool allows it to float.