occasional changes in bowel habits and some abdominal pain

[tommy 2 tone]

I had my annual physical on march 24 of this year and all my blood test came back normal,except I had mildly elevated liver enzymes,I was more concerned about this then he.I also had to go on oxygen for copd,and have been depressed but I am doing better.but I am a very axious person and have aniety attacks,my md did complete liver profile and it was normal for hepatitis b and c bilirubin normal and normal albumin,but I was still concerned so he had have a ultrasound of liver and gallbladder,and it came back showing a non alcoholic fatty liver,I was a heavy beer drinker,this concerned my so much I stopped drinking,and changed my diet completely,and I am on a lot of new medication for panic attacks. I am 55 and have a family history of colon cancer,and my mother died of liver cancer.I have a physical every year,had a colonoscopy and a endoscopy last May a year ago.My concern is my stool changes colors at times and I have some diarrea (diarrhea),and some right shoulder pain and occasional adbominal pain. MY doctor is a very caring person and always returns my calls,and does not seem to be real concerned.I worry I could have pancreatic cancer,but he is sure I dont. I feel pretty good but if there is the slightest change in color of stool,I freak out my blood test for thyroid and kidneys were normal.I am a heavy person at my physical in march I was at 271 now I am at 249 but my MD is pleased with the weight loss.My question is should I be concerned about this bowel situation and occasional abdominal pain,and right shoulder pain.I carry a oxygen tank and walk my dog several times a day also,and I have never been jaundice,or had yellowing of the eyes.For the most part I feel fairly well but concerned.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprensive evaluation already.  With the liver enzymes, the ultrasound and hepatitis blood tests is a good place to start - and as they are negative, measuring serial tests can be considered.

Regarding the change in bowel habits.  If the colonoscopy last year was negative, it would be unlikely that something can grow that fast.  

That being said, you can evaluate for some of the more uncommon causes of diarrhea - such as malabsorption or celiac disease.  This can be evaluated for with stool and blood tests respectively.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician or in conjunction with a GI evaluation.

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

[LukeL]

You seem to be overly worried about the change in color of your stool. Food and drinks can change the color of your stool from almost black to bright green.

Some foods that change the color of your stool:
Fake grape drinks like kool aid
Beets
Blue Berries
Other foods which contain artifical dyes and colors.

Bascially any food that can stain your clothing will stain your stool and urine. (But this is a completly harmless condition and the deep colors in foods tend to act as antioxidants and may actually prevent disease)