Mucus in stool

[jethro12]

I was wondering if I should  be concerned about having mucus in my stool.
I had a colonoscopy back in November for another problem .About a month
later I started noticing mucus in my stool and then began getting some cramping
in my left side. The pain is in the sigmoid region and sometimes can be felt in my lower back.
also .I don't have any diarrhea more constipation  really. What other things besides
colitis can cause these symptoms? It seems to be a chronic problem now.
Would diverticulosis cause mucus?

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Some amount of mucus in stool can be a normal phenomenon.
Mucus in stool is one of the symptoms of diverticulosis.
================================================================
The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[jethro12]

Thanks for the response. The mucus is mainly covering the stool and more
than the normal amount for me. I had gotten the colonoscopy for  pain which I was having in the upper and lower right quadrant. What type of test should I do next that may
be able to tell if it is colitis or diverticulosis? Can a stool sample be able to detect
colitis? And what diagnostic procedure is better to pick up diverticulosis ? A ct scan
or a barium enema?  Do you think I should get another lower endoscopy  to rule out
a missed neoplasm  during the colonoscopy?

Thanks  

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Colonoscopy itself is enough to diagnose both colitis and diverticulosis.

Barium imaging can show the lesions in diverticulosis. But it may miss malignancy.
================================================================
The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[patti2340]

I had to have gallbladder removed , emerg.basis, due to "many" gallstones apparently caused by vasculities which is another complication of my autoimmune condition: Primary Sjogrens Syndrome which has become systemic. Anyways, I exp. a lot of pain, very ill for mths/weeks prior and turning green from being so sick. I had been suffering with nausea for months and just not feeling well.  I had a lot of back pain but never put it with this as I thought it was my back and the issues there, which I have many back issues and a lot of surgeries and fusions.  Well the surg.helped nausea and back pain, etc. and for a couple days I actually looked healthy again by getting my color back.  Only for a couple days though because surgery was on Friday and by Monday I was going down hill yet again!  But now 2 1/2 wks later, since surgery my colon and stomach apparently went to sleep/or paralized themselves from the anethestic...? my internist suspects I had no bowel sounds by that evening & no one caught it.  After 8 days they gave me half-lytely because the x=rays showed I was serious filled with stool, seriously fool.  that helped a lot! but only tolerating liquids still & a few ripe fruits. Lost 12 lbs over a 10 day time frame and probably a total of 19 since prior to surgery, but the bulk of the wgt loss is being dropped currently and since surgery. After the bowel cleansing 8 days after surgery it was only another 7-8 days later having to lean on yet another fix to get bowels moving, 20mg ducolex plus a ducolex suppository while still taking the meds. First time with HalfLytely violent vommiting was included, this time just violent cramping! After Half-lytely they put me on reglan 5mg every 6hrs to get things moving but all I hear is a roaring rumble, but drs. say it is ever so slow to take fluids only. I have had some mucos, prior it was stringy, now it is just there...everywhere sometimes.  The stools are muddy not real formed as they were once and more narrow now.  Just plain miserable. While inthe meantime I am getting weaker and tired and just plain draining out. Does anyone have any ideas or experience on this. I am absolutely miserable and at a loss. I think something has gone wrong with the surgery...  I did suffer with a lot of vasculitis on my abdomen, some fairly bad spots but are finally clearing up.  I do have a mass at one area, left of the far right incision. My Internist feels it is a hematoma.... It is sore to touch and odd shaped.  I have tried it all and am praying that my colon has not become a new issue with my illness now and wontt wake up.  I am fearing the worst now...a colostomy if things don't shape up.  Any input please! I am desperate.  Thanks for this service.  

Could something have happened during the surgery? Could a stone of gotten out and lodged in the colon or elsewhere? Or is this highly unlikely?  I just know I am extremely tired and wore out and no energy, but I know I have a strike against mehaving Sjogrens Syndrome.

Patti2340

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