mucus question

[John5144]

Dr. Doctor,
    To begin, I am a worrier. I am afraid of doctors. Lately, when I have a BM, I noticed dark mucus or slime covering BM. I suspect that I have IBS. Sometimes mucus is clear. I did a home test FOBT yesterday, in the presence of above described "slime" or mucus and test was negative. I had a colonoscopy 5 years ago and essentially it was negative. I say essentially, because the doctor said he removed a "speck" of a polyp which he was not even going to touch. Anyway, I have read that it takes at least five years for a new polyp to emerge and another five to ten years for it to turn cancerous. Hopefully, that puts me on fairly safe ground. I am a W/M age 63 with no family history of colon cancer. When stress, which is often, I have cramping and alternating diarrhea but mostly constipation. Do not drink or smoke. Have internal hemorrhoids. Have gas and bloating. L/flank pain. My wife has seen my BM and does not believe that it is blood. I have OCD so it is hard for me to be objective. Please help as I am in a constant state of worrying. Thank you. God bless.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A negative colonoscopy 5 years ago would make things like polyps or cancer less likely.

You can consider various malabsorption syndromes, pancreatitis or colitis which can lead to the symptoms you are describing.

Sending the stool tests off for analysis and culture - as well as fat content - can be considered.  Blood tests as well as imaging studies can evaluate the pancreas.  

If the symptoms continuing, repeating the colonoscopy can be discussed to evaluate for colitis.

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.
kevinmd_

[John5144]

Dear Doctor,
     Allow me to add the following to my above post. The mucus in question may also be considered to be brown. The mucus separates from the stool and then appears clear. Could the pigment from the stool be coloring the mucus? I just returned from having seen my therapist(psychiatry) and told him about my problem. He ascribes it to Obcessive Compulsive Disorder. I hav had a spastic colon practically as long as I can remember. Thanks for you patience.

[shnswms123]

It is probably time for another colonoscopy regardless after five years. The negative colonoscopy would make cancer less likely. I have mucus/diarrhea prominent IBS, so I can definately relate to you. Brown mucus may be indicative of blood from higher up in the digestive tract. The FOBT also helps ruling out blood. I'm not sure what you mean after you said that when it seperates from the stool it becomes clear. A good way to tell would be to see if the mucus is brown after wiping. It really sounds like IBS, if you have a long history of it, especially with the colonoscopy. Anxiety makes IBS symptoms that much worse. You should get on some antispasmodics or anti-anxiety meds if you aren't yet. Good luck! Don't feel alone. I have the same problems!

[yoshi]

yeast and fungal infection produce mucous which comes out in your bowel movement,see if you can add yogurt or that friendly acidphil bacteria to your diet.