Small Diameter Loose, Hairy Stools with Mucous

[MrScott]

Help.   Over the last 6-8 weeks, I have had a general change in bowel movements.  Stools are often small diameter, loose, and have wispy hair-like layer on the outside and may also contain separate spidery balls of mucous. The stools usually disintigrate fairly quickly in the water, 20 sec. For some reason I also have a great deal of mucous going down my throat which may contribute somehow, not sure.   Early morning stools usually contain firmer, larger sections.   I have also noticed "extruded sections" rectangular stool sections which look like they may have passed by a constriction; as well as pencil thin diameter stools.  I have an appointment with a GI in 2 weeks for a consult and colonoscopy.  Stool color varies from usual quite light tan, to green.  One or two white stools and sometimes greenish.  One occasion ~6 weeks ago, I felt like I had a constricted small intestine.  (pain in bellybutton).  Never tarry black.  Two occasions black specs, but blood never found in primary care visit/stool tests.

I've been having some other very strange health problems during this same time period including trouble swallowing, visual photophobia, floaters, neuromuscular twitches & tingles & generalized pain under ribcage.  All bloodwork, liver, metabolic, & neurologic tests are coming back fine.  Current diagnosis seems to be stress/anxiety, but very unusual for me.

I'm scared to death that I've got colon cancer (family history).  Are these the right symptoms, or possibly irritable bowel/something else ?

Thanks for any help.

[lunchlady101]

A related discussion, small diameter bowel movement was started.

[matt555]

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[Abbey]

HI Scott,

Yes, I've also had the neuro symptoms and still do plus chronic fatigue. These symptoms of ours has boggled my mind.  If you're willing to e-mail me I can go into detail on what I've gone through as far as testing.

You're not alone. There are other people on this board that are going through our symptoms to varying degrees.

The growth on your throat; did they take a biopsy?

Abbey

[MrScott]

Hi Abby:  Thanks for your reply.   Yes.  Lots of drainage in my throat esp. am. & frequent sensation that I need to clear mucous.  About 6 weeks ago I also "realized" I had a growth on my soft palete/uvula and feared cancer.  Primary care doc and ENT doc examined and said not a concern.  ENT looked down my throat with a camera and again said everything looked fine (except for lots of drainage).    Most times during the day I can look at the back of my throat and see drainage, often very thick.  I seem to have a chronic sore throat, but sometimes this is worse than others.

Have you had the neuro symptoms too ? or just the GI symptoms ?

Thanks

[Abbey]

I have had EVERYTHING you described except pain in belly button for 6 months. I've had the colonoscopy and endoscopy which by the way they can give to you at the same thing while you're having your colonoscopy. To tell you what tests I've had I'd be writing a journal the past 5 months. Has your throat been swollen or do you feel like you need to clear your throat often?