Frequent Abnormal Bowel Movements

[yekcim1234]

I am a 27 year old female and approximately 3 weeks ago I started having weird bowel movements. Prior to this I would have a bowel movement like once a day, if that. Now I go to the bathroom 4-5 times a day sometimes more and when I do go it has a very slimy, moucus like look to it. Also, it is light yellow/brown in color and always very loose. Very rarely is it a solid movement (maybe once in 3 weeks).  I do not have the normal stomach cramps that are associated with diarreah, however, it has become hard to hold my bowel movements and when I have to go, I have to go! I have never had this problem and after reading some of these posts am getting a little scared here. I have no family history of colon cancer, or any other cancer for that matter, but I guess that may not matter. To my knowledge I have not eaten anything out of the norm and have not been sick (other than this problem). Any insight would help.

[Axiety]

I do agree with everything you've said. I too have had C Diff ..It is aweful but can get worse if not treated!  I was hospitialized twice in 2 weeks for dehydration and low potasium.

[girlvet]

Hi Yekcim, agree with CalGal.  Have you taken antibiotics recently?  This could set your gut up to be susceptible to C Diff, however what you have described could be many things - a stool test is the best way to eliminate possible C Diff and a variety of other causes.  C Diff has a very distinctive odor - you wont forget it, and you didnt mention that as a symtom either. Three weeks with no cramping just doesnt sound "C Diffy" to me (Ive battled recurring C Diff for months caused by docs over-prescribing the antibiotics), but then again everyone's severity is different.  10-plus stools a day was also the "rule of thumb" my doctor used as a sign of possible relapse of C Diff as well, with many many weeks of post infectious IBS during the healing process that mimic C Diff.  It can go away on its own, but at three weeks its time to see your doc to find out exactly whats goin on.  Best of luck to you.

[CalGal]

There can be a number of different reasons for the change in your bowel habits. But you should get to the doc and request having stool samples done.

In addition, start keep a food diary and see if what you eat has any correlation with how often you're having loose stools. Many people suddenly find they can't tolerate some foods that they've been able to eat for years with no problems. Common culprits are dairy, high fructose containing foods, greasy/fatty foods and gluten contining foods (wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats).

If any docs hands you antibiotics to take with out a clear need for you to take them, turn them down. Take them only if you get a test result back that says you have something that should be treated with antibiotics. If you do have to go on antibiotics, make sure to take probiotics along with them. Take the probiotics at least 2 hours after taking the antibiotics. There are too many people turning up with C. diff due to antibiotics.

If you've got any right-sided pain or discomfort associated with your loose stools, check your stool pattern against any fatty food intake and see if there's a correlation. If there is, ask your doc to check you for gallbladder problems via ultrasound and HIDA scan with CCK injection.

And take a good look at many meds you're taking, even if you've taken them for years, especially hormones

[bellaboo33]

I think what you are describing is C.Diff (thats the short name for it).  Its a bacteria that is in everyones body, but in some cases will over grow and cause all the symptoms you described.  It can be treated.  I have had it for about a month now.  I could have been all better by now, but the antibiotics my doctor gave me to kill it off were too awful for me to take.  It's called Metronidazole and the side effects are worse than being sick from the c.diff in the first place!  So, I am trying a more natural approach.  

I have all the same symptoms....lots of diarrhea, stomach cramps, liquid like stool, etc...  I know it's so awful, but just go to your doctor and get it diagnosed.  It is unlikely to do any damage to your body unless you let it go untreated.  Your doc will want a stool sample to test for c.diff.  Also, you should know that the test comes back negative a lot when you do in fact have it.  So, get to the doctor....they will probably start you on the antibiotic before they even get the stool sample results back.  Just be warned that if they put you on Metro you will probably feel very sick on it.  It is different for everyone, but I was so ill 24/7, diarrhea got worse, and i had terrible migraines.  I just couldn't stand it.

All in all, if this is what you have...don't worry too much cause it can be treated.  I am also taking probiotics and eating a lot of yogurt.  You can get started on that now.  It just helps your body's system work normally.  It can be helpful, but probably can't cure it alone.

BTW....i am not a doctor, but i am just telling you all i know from my own experience, and what my doctors told me.  Look up C. Diff online and you can get a better idea of what it is, and if you have it.  There is a lot of info out there cause it is very common.

Good Luck!!!