Gradual Constipation Thin stools and Diahrrea plus weight loss

[Gregusjay]

I am a 44 year old Hispanic male. I am roughly 50lbs over my ideal weight. I have been walking and excersing at the gym after work when I can, but the weight loss has been slow. My mom's parents died from colon cancer and my uncle died at the young age of 54.
Then last month I noticed my stools becoming firmer and firmer and sometimes sticky and messy to clean. Then I plugged up completely and could not go at all for two days. I lost roughly 6 pounds in 3 days and when I finally went, the stools were very thin and curved and I was still somewhat plugged. I also noticed my mouth and throat seemed very sticky and dry. On the 4th day I pooped a very hard and darker than normal stool. It was not black, it was dark brown. It was not as thin as previous stools and it was hard like clay and I felt as though I had gotten rid of the culprit.   I felt better and my appetite picked back up. After a meal of steamed vegetables and some thin steak, I had watery yellow diahrrea. I have been VERY stressed at work and wonder what is happening. I have an appointment schedule with my Doctor and am afraid there could be something serious.
There is no red blood evident in anything. Except when I wipe too hard sometimes it comes out on the paper. One of the first things I noticed at the beginning was that the stools were messier and took more time to clean.
my usual bowel movement in the past seemed to have a yellowy or brown mucus..please help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Any changes in bowel movement - including frequency and shape - should be evaluted for possible polyps or cancer.  A lower endoscopy - like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy - should be considered to further evaluate this possibility.

If the symptoms continue you can send the stool off to test for infection and malabsorption.  

If the tests return negative, treatment for irritable bowel disease can be considered (i.e. increasing the fiber in the diet as well as antispasmodic agents).

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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[Gregusjay]

I have since experienced more weight loss and feel real fatigued..and feel faint sometimes..I have not been sleeping well...I notice my skin seems yellower too...
I have seen the doc and I have a blood test pending and am scheduled for a barium enema on Monday..the are checking for infection and parasites.

[Dixie Gal]

Hi!   Some of your symptoms sound like celiac disease, allergy to grains.    Lots of webites with info on this, many think linked to antibiotic use that destroys good bacteria, which can be replaced with good probiotics.  Tests not always reliable, but couldn't hurt to try eliminating grains and using good large dose probiotics.   Also eliminate dairy til gut heals, then can probably tolerate again.

I had "mysterious" gut problems for 20 years, then this diet change greatly improved my life.   Hope it helps!

[philer]

I am a 39 year old male, generally I'm in good health. I'm 5'4", the problem is my weight. Last year, I was 130LBS. I am having constant diarrhea. I have no loss in energy and eat healthy. My current weight is 98LBS. I am losing a pound every few weeks, and have no idea why. My doctor is dumbfounded by this also. I don't drink heavily, and I do not smoke at all. Please tell me what you think this may be.