Unusual gastro phenomenon

[Smithaz]

Twice this week, I have experienced an unusual change in my bowel movements.  I've had some very wet, diahhrea-like bowel movements in the past week or so, though not associated with any other symptoms (flu, sick feeling etc).  Then, this past monday evening,I began having:

a) excessive flatulence
b) A bloated feeling and some discomfort in the area of my rectum, as if it were full, but not the sensation of having to move my bowels

This didn't concern me until I woke up in the middle of the night and experienced the following:

a) continued flatulence, including light watery (clear fluid) discharge while I lay in bed (which required changing underwear).
b) Upon trying to move my bowels, all that came out was clear liquid (water?)(as if I had taken a laxative, only not nearly as much fluid)
c) Continued feeling that I needed to move my bowels, followed by continued flatulence
d) Along with water, the discharge of what looks like a green, filmy substance (perhaps mucus, but I'm really not sure)

This continued on and off (maybe four or five times) for several hours overnight.  The next morning, I finally had a more regular bowel movement (though the stools were kind of stringy, rather than round and full).

I assumed this was a one-time-only occurence related to something I ate, but experiened the same symptoms again last night (wednesday).  That makes twice this week so far.

I am not experiencing any pain, but this is very unusual and is causing me some anxiety.  

For the benefit of history, I had a colonoscopy last summer (2005) for a different issue and one benign polyp was found.  I was otherwise fine.  I have also had an issue recently with heart palpitations which may be unrelated.  

I feel fine otherwise.  My energy level is normal, I exercise regularly, and nothing else seems askew.  I have lost sleep, however, due to these changing gastrointestinal issues.  Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[LGinfo]

It sounds almost like fecal impaction, with the symptoms you are describing.  If it happened after the colonoscopy, it's possible it's something new that has cropped up since then.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000230.htm

[justme1x]

Mine started 10yrs ago I got engaged and got sick. Doc said it was stress causing the muscels in my stomach to tighten and not allowing my food to digest said it would pass and gave some over the counter meds to take. For eights years it would come and go, days I would be fine and then I would go for days that every time I ate I would double over in pain and would have to go to bed until it passed causing numerious trips to the bath room, again the doc. would ask are u stressed, well after eight years of being stress they removed my Galbladder, well that took care of the pain but it also took away the warning. Recently I have been having signs of Rectal Bleeding. Well you know after ten years of being sick why would u not have bleeding, my goodness, most people are raw from just a couple trip to the bath room, try ten years. Im just tried of being sick

[Smithaz]

and I also forgot to mention that I'm a 33 yr old male, 6'3 and around 225 lbs.

I don't take any medications.

[Smithaz]

Addition:  I forgot to add that my blood pressure is normal.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A colonoscopy would rule out many of the major causes of the symptoms.

Testing the stool for infection - such as culture, ova and parasites and C Diff.  

If negative, fat malabsorption can also be considered - which can also be tested via stool tests.  

Blood tests for celiac disease can also be considered.

If the tests continue to be non-revealing, treatment for irritable bowel disease can be optimized - either by increasing the amount of fiber in the diet or trying antispasmodic agents.

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_