diarrhea/constipation

I have had chronic diarrhea/constipation for three months...I get a foul taste in my mouth and know I will shortly have stomach pain followed by diarrhea, its a pattern...I have been to my doctor and she scheduled a colonoscopy, my last one was 5 years ago. Loss of appetite. Fatigued so much.Can this be cancer or what?

[ru37]

Sounds sooo familiar! I was just diagnosed with Lymphangiectasia.......I have been introduced to "Body Ecology", Aloe-vera juice, Diatomaceous Earth, and probiotics....PLEASE check it out! Good Luck..

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  It doesn't sound like cancer so I wouldn't worry too much about that.  I would recommend you have blood work done including a CBC.  I also think that a colonoscopy is a good idea.  Probiotics are a good idea, I'm neutral about "body ecology" and aloe vera juice, but I would highly recommend against diatomaceous earth.

[Weffette]

Hi Madge,

Do you have the diarrhea after you have eaten anything with wheat in it? I know...almost everything has wheat or wheat by products...but I am thinking Celiac. Look it up and see if the symptoms/signs are similar to yours.  You could also have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or Crohns.  Your doctor should be able to supply you with preferred diets for these individually different types of GI issues. A colonscopy is a definate, although they only go as far as the large intestine. The small bowels could be giving you trouble too. Sometimes a "small bowel series" x ray can detect issues that a colonscopy cannot.
Are your BM's bloody or mucusy? Do you notice little pellet shaped "turds"?  You xcould be experiencing diverticulosis, not to be confused with diverticulitis.
Do some research and talk with your doctor about other testings to help you figure out whats going on.
Best wishes