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Avatar universal

Diarrhea, gas, mucus

I started a couple months ago with occassional floating stools and increased gas.  I didn't think much of it until one day I had bad diarrhea and the gas was horrible.  I had fast-food that day so thought that to be the cause.

Then I had it for another week, though not as bad.  I went to the doctor, he put me on a liquid diet, that didn't work, I had a couple normal BM's inbetween but finally it got worse again so I went back.  

He just sent me for some tests.  I'm nervous though.  It's making it worse.  Last week there was a mucus in the diarrhea.  I have lost weight but probably since I'm not eating since I'm scared of what will happen if I do.  I've lost about 7 pounds in the last 2 months.

What do you think could cause gas, diarrhea with mucus, and loose stools?  I get nervous when I see a mention of HIV.  Is HIV normally associated with just these symptoms?  I don't have a rash or high fever, haven't thrown up.

I quit drinking milk and having dairy, that doesn't seem to be the problem.  I don't see any blood in my stools.  Just diarrhea with mucus and gas.

Thanks.
11 Responses
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Diarrhea, mucus gas following Glandular Fever was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've got Glandular Fever even though the tests don't actually come up positive because there are so many different strands of glandular fever and they only test for a couple of the strands of glandular fever when they give you a blood test. You might want to know the proper name for glandular fever is infectious mononucleosis - I think I spelt that right - and the symptoms I have are:

- Headaches
- Throat swells up
- Soar throats
- Really lethargic (tired)
- Not usually that hungry
- Temperature goes up a lot
- I get really bad pains in my rib cage,
  usually in my left one.
- Muscle pain
- White blotches on my tonsils

Symptoms vary between people, when your glandular fever goes be wary, don't over do it and if you feel tired STOP and REST because I did to much and I got it back.

The person who had pains in their right rib should probably show the doctor because it's fairly rare, but Glandular Fever can sometimes effect the liver and kidney area - that's what I've got, so just check with your doctor.

There is no actual cure for Glandular Fever, but you can get vitamin tablets to strengthen the immune system. I find Vitamin C and Zinc is good, but it tastes gross.

The trouble with glandular fever you tend to pick up a lot of bugs because your immune systems so low and they can take longer than your average bugs because it is on top of the Glandular Fever. Also once the Glandular fever is over you can get something called Chronic Fatigue syndrome - Which means basically you are really tired all the time.

It's pain having Glandular Fever when your fourteen because you want to be out having fun with your friends, but even though I didn't really listen to my mum when she told me to rest the first time I have been a lot more sensible the second time.

It sounds a drag but as long as you take some RRR - REST, REST, and yet more REST - it will go in no time

Mia
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've got Glandular Fever even though the tests don't actually come up positive because there are so many different strands of glandular fever and they only test for a couple of the strands of glandular fever when they give you a blood test. You might want to know the proper name for glandular fever is infectious mononucleosis - I think I spelt that right - and the symptoms I have are:

- Headaches
- Throat swells up
- Soar throats
- Really lethargic (tired)
- Not usually that hungry
- Temperature goes up a lot
- I get really bad pains in my rib cage,
  usually in my left one.
- Muscle pain
- White blotches on my tonsils

Symptoms vary between people, when your glandular fever goes be wary, don't over do it and if you feel tired STOP and REST because I did to much and I got it back.

The person who had pains in their right rib should probably show the doctor because it's fairly rare, but Glandular Fever can sometimes effect the liver and kidney area - that's what I've got, so just check with your doctor.

There is no actual cure for Glandular Fever, but you can get vitamin tablets to strengthen the immune system. I find Vitamin C and Zinc is good, but it tastes gross.

The trouble with glandular fever you tend to pick up a lot of bugs because your immune systems so low and they can take longer than your average bugs because it is on top of the Glandular Fever. Also once the Glandular fever is over you can get something called Chronic Fatigue syndrome - Which means basically you are really tired all the time.

It's pain having Glandular Fever when your fourteen because you want to be out having fun with your friends, but even though I didn't really listen to my mum when she told me to rest the first time I have been a lot more sensible the second time.

It sounds a drag but as long as you take some RRR - REST, REST, and yet more REST - it will go in no time

Mia
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've got Glandular Fever even though the tests don't actually come up positive because there are so many different strands of glandular fever and they only test for a couple of the strands of glandular fever when they give you a blood test. You might want to know the proper name for glandular fever is infectious mononucleosis - I think I spelt that right - and the symptoms I have are:

- Headaches
- Throat swells up
- Soar throats
- Really lethargic (tired)
- Not usually that hungry
- Temperature goes up a lot
- I get really bad pains in my rib cage,
  usually in my left one.
- Muscle pain
- White blotches on my tonsils

Symptoms vary between people, when your glandular fever goes be wary, don't over do it and if you feel tired STOP and REST because I did to much and I got it back.

The person who had pains in their right rib should probably show the doctor because it's fairly rare, but Glandular Fever can sometimes effect the liver and kidney area - that's what I've got, so just check with your doctor.

There is no actual cure for Glandular Fever, but you can get vitamin tablets to strengthen the immune system. I find Vitamin C and Zinc is good, but it tastes gross.

The trouble with glandular fever you tend to pick up a lot of bugs because your immune systems so low and they can take longer than your average bugs because it is on top of the Glandular Fever. Also once the Glandular fever is over you can get something called Chronic Fatigue syndrome - Which means basically you are really tired all the time.

It's pain having Glandular Fever when your fourteen because you want to be out having fun with your friends, but even though I didn't really listen to my mum when she told me to rest the first time I have been a lot more sensible the second time.

It sounds a drag but as long as you take some RRR - REST, REST, and yet more REST - it will go in no time

Mia
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dimaki, i am new to this site so i have only just read your post. What you were describing are near enough the exact symptoms i have. I get a lot of mucus when i go to the toilet. This is what first made me go to my dr. I had blood tests and was told i had hep c. Then i had an ultra scan and a biopsy and the results were that i have also got cirhossis. A lot of pain in my right side and also starting to get it in my stomach also very fatigued, I know none of this sounds good but i wanted to give you the info as some of your symptoms were so similar to mine and it is so horrible not knowing stuff. Take care and all the best. Fran.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm starting to get tired, but not much more than usual.  Just an upset stomach, the diarrhea, gas.  I'm just starting to worry more and more and should know about some of my tests tomorrow.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Funny you should mention the blobs on your tonsils. I was in perfect health and then all of a sudden (about 4 weeks after meeting a new girlfriend) started having the same symptoms as you.

Eventually my tonsils blobbed up too and when tested it was discovered that I had glandular fever.

The glandular fever came and went and the tonsils etc cleared up. However the problems with my stomach continued and I lost a lot of weight. I had more tests than I care to remember and they all came back negative. Eventually I had an endoscopy that revealed a duodenal ulcer. This was treated with PPI's and although the IBS type symptoms are still with me, they are not as severe and I am able to eat and have recovered my weight. The doctors have no idea as to why I would suddenly start suffering from these problems when infected with glandular fever but they have tested me for every other condition under the sun and found nothing. You name it HP, parasites, crones and I have done all the permeability tests etc. I still have to take a PPI with every meal but it's nothing serious like HIV!

Do you feel tired and fatigued?  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
bws
Speaking from experience only, I have crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowell disease) which overlaps with colitis.  To give you and example if its herdeitary: Ihave it, my dad had it, and his mom as well.  It has been in my family for 3 generations now.  Right now I think there is evidince to believe it has genetic properties (meaning it can be hereditary).  But not everyone in families gets it and it can skip generations, etc.  So to answer your question, colitis could possibly be hereditary.  If you family members have it you can be at a higher risk than the normal public.  But I do believe that when Dr. Kevin says colitis in his response he is referring to an inflammatory disease (not a syndrome like IBS or infectious colitis).  Just keep checking with your MD, and if you have a soar throat with exudate you might want to see your MD.  You may have a bacterial infection that would require antibiotics.

bws
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the replies.  I just get paranoid when I see that it could be any number of things and worry it could be the worst possible thing.

Is coalitis hereditary in any way?  My aunt had that.
Also, I'm starting to get a sore throat lately.  I have some white stuff, blobs, on my tonsils occassionally and am wondering what they are.  My tongue feels a little sore, on the side it's like I bit it, there's a little white spot.  I'm wondering if this is related...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dimaki, when you say your worried about HIV, are you talking about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (the virus which causes AIDS)?  If so, the only way you can get HIV is through specific situations, e.g. unprotected sexual intercourse with infected individual, blood to blood contact with an infected indiviual, IV drug user sharing used needles with an infected individual, accidentally getting stuck with a needle used on an infected individual if you are a healthcare worker, ect.  So you can see transmission of the HIV viruse is not easy, and unless you have done any risky activity like I mentioned earlier you should have nothing to worry about regarding HIV.

If you have been involved in any risky situation, there is a short period after infection (between 3 and 6 weeks) where one may suffer from Acute HIV Syndrome.  "General" symptoms may include fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, lethargy/malaise, decrease appetite and weight loss, and nause/vomiting/diarrhea.

REMEMBER - just because someone you may have some of the symptoms above it DOSN'T mean you have HIV.  To diagnose HIV you need to have a blood test done.  These are just general symptoms, which are usually only known to be HIV related in hindsight, since HIV tests are usually performed at least 3-6 months after exposure.  I hope this helps a little, and maybe dr. kevin will have insight on what you problem is more likely to be caused by.

Good luck, and best wishes...
B
Helpful - 0
233190 tn?1278549801
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello - thanks for asking your question.

There are several conditions.  The first would be malabsorption (i.e. either fat malabsorption or Celiac disease).  They can frequently cause increased gas, and floating stools.  I would suggest sending the stools for a fecal fat test (looking for malabsorption) and serum antibody studies for Celiac sprue.

Inflammatory bowel disease or colitis or other considerations.  If you're losing weight and these symptoms have become chronic, I would consider a lower endoscopy (i.e. colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) to evaluate for these diseases.  Testing the stool for infection and parasites should also be performed.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Helpful - 0

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