Diarrhea, loose stool for over 6 weeks. What is wrong with me?

[revamp]

I am a 27 yr old female with an extremely healthy history (only visits to the Dr. are for an occasional sinus infection once every 3-4 yrs and regular exams)

Approximately 7 weeks ago, I began to have diarrhea 3-6 times a day, with a slight decline in appetite.  At this time, I was also preparing for relatives to fly in and visit, my significant other (who is in the military) received orders to deploy to Iraq, and I was in the midst of looking for a job.

Because of all this, I attributed the diarrhea to stress and figured it would pass.  To make a long story short, it hasn't.  Since it started, I have not had a single day with a normal bowel movement.  Other than the diarrhea (and perhaps a slight depression from this going on for so long) there are no other symptoms.  No pain, no appreciable loss of appetite, no fever or anything like that.

The diarrhea is worst in the mornings...I usually get cramping and the urgent need to "go" about 20-30 minutes after waking up and eating a small something for breakfast.  After the first bout, I usually have to enter the bathroom again a couple more times before I leave for work in the morning.  Frequently (but not always) I also have this same behavior after eating lunch.

The diarrhea/loose stool is always light-colored, sometimes yellowish (my stool is normally a medium brown color).  It is often accompanied by gas, and varies between completely unformed diarrhea, and thin (pencil-thick) VERY soft stools.

Pepto Bismol doesn't do much to help, other than darken the stool.  I haven't tried taking anything else, since I have no other symptoms and don't want to further upset my system.

I currently am waiting for my health insurance coverage to kick in before going to the Dr. (3 more weeks) But with me working now, the frequent diarrhea is more of an issue than it was when I was in and around the house all day.

In doing research on the web, it seems my symptoms most closely resemble a Giardia infection, but I wanted to see what the opinions were here, and if there is anything I can do to lessen my symptoms while I am waiting to see my own Dr.

[kidcoconut]

Hi,

Glad your stools are back to normal size again ! ( can you believe we're talking about this stuff ?! ) Let us know what the diagnosis is please? I think I'm taking a minor step backwards after weeks of improvement. ( uncomfortable feeling in stomach in the a.m. and stool looser after 1st movement of the day.) ARGHHHHH! , I'm so tired of this ! Good luck to you. You sound like you have IBS.

[Gregusjay]

I seem to alternate between Constipation and Diahrrea..anyone else have this problem?

[ufunny]

I have had the same problems as you since the first of June. I went to doctor and insisted that they do a stool test for parasites. I thought I had picked up some sort of parasite from a buffet. My stool and blood tests were normal. I still had loose and watery bowel movements usually between 4-5 A.M. Ocassionally I would have a several cramp in the afternoon and have to rush to the bathroom. The doctor then sent me for a UGI and small bowel test. This too was normal. I go for a colonoscopy next week. I am taking cholestyramine packets twice daily to remove the bile salts?? from my movements. This also is not working. I still do not have normal bowel movements. I exercise on the treadmill daily and try to eat healthy. If you find something that works let me know.

[kidcoconut]

Hey Ufunny,

After my last post with things getting a little "looser" again I went back to the internet for "the cure". I read alot about digestie enzymes and thought I'd give that a shot since my loose stools often look like undigested food. Anyway, I went to the local health food store and they recommened something called Ultra-Zyme by Nature's plus. The directions say to take two tablets a day. Doesn't state whether with food or not. This product has a cross section of all the different enzymes the body is supposed to produce to digest fat, sugar, etc. etc.
Anyway, the NEXT day for the first time in 2 months every stool was normal. 1st day I had 3, from then on 2 per day. ( as scary as this is to say it was a "wonderful sight". It's been over a week now of normal stool. It would be too conincidental ( spelling?) for it to just happen to get better the next day after 8 weeks. I would definately try it. I couldn't believe it turned around in one day. Of course being a hypochondriac ;0) I'm wondering now if there's a problem that still needs to be addressed and that these enzymes are just treating the symptom, and not the problem.But what I've read, ( of course these sites are hawking their prodcuts !), digestive enzymes are considered food and can be taken forever, and/or can take "pressure" off the digestive system and allow it to heal itself and possibly get itself back on track so that you don't need them. Anyway I'm all smiles now, fingers still crossed, and still sweating out every stool hoping it stays normal. Let me know how you make out if you try it.

[revamp]

Awesome!  Thanks so much for the update!  I would also agree that after many weeks of consistent diarrhea and loose stool, for things to return to normal so suddenly is more than coincidence.

Although I haven't been plagued with the actual diarrhea for the last couple weeks, my bowel movements have still not returned to a consistent state of normalcy...I think I might give your remedy a try, if I can find the stuff.

Also, since I am pretty convinced (in my own mind) that my problem is nothing more than a malfunction of my own system (such as IBS or just nerves that set off a chain reaction), I may not pursue this issue at the Dr's next week (although I will still mention it and request a standard blood work-up and whatnot)

At any rate, I'll keep you all posted.

[kidcoconut]

Hi, Just wanted to see if you tried the enzymes. I'm still regular, hoping your the same !

kidK.