Soft- yellow stool, diarrhea, stomach cramps

[Dr. Scott]

About a year ago I developed some mild abdominal discomfort.  I had occasional diarrhea, loose yellow stool, mild camps, and an unusual muscular twitching sensation which seemed to move around my stomach.  I have gas and a lot of “digestive noises”.  Because my father died of stomach cancer, I went to a gastroenterologist for an EG endoscopy and colonoscopy after the symptoms continued for a few weeks.  These revealed nothing exceptional: mild acid reflux damage (previously diagnosed), no Barrettes, a very slight hiatal hernia, general inflammation of the GI tract, and H-pylori.  I was given a course of antibiotics for the helicobacter pylori, but my symptoms persisted.  An abdominal ultra sound revealed a small gall stone, so it was recommended that I have my gall bladder removed.  I had my gall bladder removed, but my symptoms persisted and even worsened.  Most of the time, I have yellow diarrhea. Occasionally, I have a semi-solid, loose, yellow stool.  The semi-solid stool is generally accompanied by a clear, jelly-like mucus.  I have seen both my Gastonenterologist and my general practitioner several times over the past few months.  They have run a few blood tests (I don’t know exactly which ones) and can’t seem to find anything wrong with me.  I am perplexed, not only by the general symptoms, but by this incessant twitching: like tiny little muscle spasms in my abdomen.  Does anybody have any idea what could be causing these symptoms and what can be done to treat them?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation, which would rule out most of the common diseases.  The specialized things that you can consider can include various types of malabsporption syndromes which can be evaluated with a fecal fat test (looking for fat malabsorption) or a blood test looking for celiac disease.  You can also consider Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, which can cause gallbladder-like pain in those who have had their gallbladder removed.  A Sphincter of Oddi manometry test can be considered to evaluate this.  

If everything is negative, irritable bowel syndrome can lead to your symptoms.  Treatment with antispasmodic agents, as well as increasing the fiber in the diet, can help.  This possibility 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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[yoshi]

if you have taken the 14 days h pylori medication,thats a lot of antibiotics which upset the flora in your body,good bacteria needed to balance the yeast and fungus were wiped out and need to be replaced.If there is a yeast overgrowth in your body,it could cause diarhea (diarrhea)/constipation and mucous .
there is also a bacteria called c diff caused by prolong use of antibiotics,search the forum and you will see several postings on c diff bacteria

[Ouchey!]

I have the same symtoms, had my gallbladder removed and now i have the yellow mucous stools and my somach hurts! its bloaded and just hurts a lot...it does seem to be better when i dont drink soda at all but usually still is there, let me know if u ever find out what it is....Thanks

[onery]

A related discussion, pooped out was started.