Melanosis on intestinal biopsy? No history of laxatives?

[confuzzzed]

Following a colonoscopy ( for long term diarrhea)  my doc informed me everything is normal, and the biopsies show no indication of any abnormalities EXCEPT melanosis - which is likely from a history of laxatives of diet teas. I told him I've never taken laxatives or diet teas and left it at that. I don't think he believed me however, as he offered no other explanation. He did not seem concerned, so nor was I.

So I went home and looked up this Melanosis and found no other possible causes???

I have never ever touched laxatives or herbal teas. Am wondering if anyone can shed some light on this otherwise I'm thinking the biopsy report is wrong?

[CalGal]

Look up anthraquinone-containing foods and see if any of the greens you mentioned contains that family of compounds. Rhubarb does and it's a common ingredient in 'stimulant' laxatives that can produce melani.

[confuzzzed]

Thank you so for posting a comment, nice to know I'm not the only one - it has been driving me nuts for the longest time.

Unfortunatly, another health issue has become prority so have have let this one go for now.

I was thinking though, perhaps we have a common history that may explain?

Like your husband, I too only took laxatives for the prep, but also took laxatives for a surgery prep 6 months prior to the biopsies, I recently quit smoking a few months prior as well, and my diet had large amounts of green vegetables ( i'm talking %50 of what I ate in a day was broccoli, swiss chard, spinach etc)

Drinking lots of tea ( but not diet/laxative tea!!) camomile, mint, green and also a holy basil tea ( which is not a laxative!) Oh and also found out I am lactose intolerant

Does your husband have anything in common with the above?

Please let me know if you find any answers.

[fmqmxb]

My husband had a colonoscopy, also for long-term diarrhea.  His results also showed melanosis, and he too has never taken laxatives (except for the test prep.).  His doctor said this is caused by a history of laxatives, and when my husband told him he doesn't take them (after all, why would he if he's had diarrhea?) it seemed like the doctor didn't believe him.  Yet the doctor didn't offer any other explanations.  I told my husband that maybe his test results were mixed up with someone else's.  We are looking for answers?