loose stools

[kidcoconut]

About 5 weeks ago I abruptly had an attack of watery frequent diarrhea, right before we were heading out to a party. I took 2 Imodium (immodium) and was good for the night. ( I can't remeber the last time I had diarrhea )Had a few too many cocktails so I was under the weather the next day. The diarrhea lingered in a "fluffy" form, a seemingly different color every day. ( nothing too ominous, yellowish, greenish, brownish, but always fluffy and in small amounts often. After a week I purchased something called Paragone because I read it might be parasites.( we have domestic farm animals and I am in contact with dirty water and such, parasites are not beyond the realm of possiblity) After 3 days of the same deal I read on the box "not to take if you have diarrhea ! So I stopped. I bought a product called Colonix, a cleanse that was o.k. with diarrhea. ( or frequent bowel movements) I've been on it for 2 weeks and things have gotten considerably better. No bloating, much less gas, no "discomfort", a little stomach rumbling, mostly in the a.m. . I just stopped taking the "laxitive" senna tea before bed because I still had some loose stool. ( the first one in the morning would be normal, the second a little less so, then by the 3 or sometime fourth it would be fluffy again. ( loose ) Then the rest of the day no more til the next morning.It's been 5 weeks or farily steady improvement, but even today with no tea last night, first one good, 2nd good, 3rd very small amount but loose.

Anyway, my question is should I be encouraged that I'm geting better and not worse? Can the parasite capsules and fiber drink be responsible for the looser stools? My weight is normal, I feel very good. I'm mid 40's , male, in good overall health, exercise, eat pretty good. I am a bit of a hypochondriac, and did have a case of gastritis a few years back. Was taling prevacid on and off for about a month or so prior to this sudden onset of diarrhea. I haven't taken any further Immodium or the like. I really, really want to avoid a doctor visit. I think it's either parasites, the products I'm taking or IBS. But I know IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion and I really don't want to go there if I can avoid it. ( the stress would make me worse I'm sure! )

My obvious concern is that it may be something worse and I'm treating it myself. But because it's gotten progressively better I'm hoping I'm doing the right thing. ( I don't know if it would compeletly go away if I stopped this colon cleanse completely, but I've only got 2 weeks left and I feel so good I'd like to finish it.

Any thoughts?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would always advise seeing a physician for more definitive answers to your condition.

First off, it is always encouraging if the symptoms are improving.  

Infection would be the most common cause of acute diarrhea - stool tests for bacteria, ova and parasites and fecal leukocytes can be considered for a more definitive diagnosis.

If the diarrhea continues, you can consider a lower endoscopy for further evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease.  Malabsorption can also be considered and evaluated if the symptoms continue.

I am not familiar with the parasite capsules you are referring to - so I cannot comment on whether it may worsen your symptoms.

If the tests remain negative in the face of continuing diarrhea, then irritable bowel disease can be considered.

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

[kidcoconut]

Just an add on since I haven't had a response yet, stool is now and has been for a few weeks normal color. Today I had 3 fairly normal stools, all in the morning, but still have a "sensation" in my stomach, especially in the a.m. that I have to go. ( not urgency, just that feeling that something isn't quite right yet. )Sometimes they are a bit "gelatenus", and i'm sure that's from the fiber drink in the a.m.

[kidcoconut]

Just a follow up to anyone who has loose stools and especially if you see undigested food in them like I was having as stated above. I started taking digestive enzymes, ( Ultra-Zyme ) by nature's plus)a week ago. After 8 weeks of slow improvement then a step back I was grasping for straws. I took two of these pills and the NEXT DAY and ever since ( just a week, but heck, I'm thrilled!) the diarrhea was completely gone. 3 "normal ones" the 1st day, 2 normal each day since. Not a hint of anything undigested or loose. Perfect, if you will. I know it's only been a week, and I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on T.V., but if you're pulling your hair out like I was this might be worth a shot. Post if it works for you. I'm sure other brands with a good cross section of all the various enzymes would work fine as well.