HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

narrow stools and diarrhea

Support Forums
>
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/1/2006 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Concerned that I have recently developed narrow stools and diarrhea. I also have to go to the bathroom right after each meal. I see plenty of undigested food in there as well
I have an occasional cramp, but nothing else
No real dietary changes
I am a 40 year old male. I have always had a bad stomach, but it's getting worse. I haven't had a fully formed stool in a few weeks. In the past fully formed stools were always mixed in with the diarrhea. I also started getting a little constipation, which is a first for me and even saw mucus. Since I had fully formed stools a few weeks ago I am hoping a tumor large enough to cause the narrow stools has not developed so quickly
I had a blood test and am not anemic. Also had 3 negative stool guiac tests
I have lost 20 lbs over last year, but I have been dieting
I eat plenty of the so called trigger foods-dairy, soda and fatty foods
It has gotten worse since returning from a meeting at a hotel recently
My father in law is a MD and did my CEA and AFP levels. I know not a good screening test, but they both came back normal
I am still nervous it is colon cancer.
Posted 6/1/2006 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
The best test to get would be a colonoscopy.  This will detect colon cancer if it is present, as well as other problems like inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.  Hopefully it is none of the above!  You'll have to see a gastroenterologist.

Posted 6/2/2006 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I agree you need to be tested thoroughly with colonoscopy, blood work, stool samples, the whole 9 yards.
Posted 6/2/2006 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Had a abdominal CT with contrast today
Diagnosed with diverticulosis. No masses or anything else out of the ordinary seen on the scan
I have an appointment next week with GI doc
THe only test I haven't had done as of yet is the colonscopy. I am hoping if it was anything serious such as a tumor it would have been seen on the CT
Posted 6/3/2006 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Koofster,
I'm sorry about your diverticulosis dx. I have that also so feel free to ask any questions you may have. I think that a tumor would most likely be seen on a CT scan. There are blood tests also that look for cancerous cells so you can always request that for your confirmation and peace of mind.

Make sure you take that fiber which I'm sure that you were told today. Cannot express how important that is when you have diverticulosis (or for anyone else to prevent it).

Take Care
Posted 6/3/2006 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
True enough about the fibre and divert...my MIL has divert as well and doesn't faithfully take fibre and pays for it dearly.
Posted 6/3/2006 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
Why do you eat the trigger foods if you are having a problem? why don't you stop eating them especially dairy and see if it helps before you get too worried. If I ate dairy I would be where you are and I never had a problem till 7 months ago though i always had a sensitive stomach. Dr. told me it just got pushed over the edge to where it became a problem. A ct scan is limited it what it can show in colon. It cannot show polyps as I understand and unless you had a big blockage I don't think it would show. You probably are just not digesting food well and eating the wrong foods for you condition at the moment. Diverticulosis is usually painful. Put you mind at ease and get the colonscopy but try a change in diet first and some fiber. When I need more fiber my stools get narrow.
Posted 6/3/2006 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
It's weird. I always thought my symptoms were not that bad. I always had occasional diarrhea, but never constipation. Some constipation began and a little pain and I started being more attentive to my bowel habits. Then recently I haven't had fully formed stools so I went for a workup
My father in law is a MD who specializes in nutritional medicine, so I am getting food allergy and CDSA. THe whole works. Now that I know my GI issues are not normal I am cutting out all trigger foods. I also have candida infection which could be contributing
He also did CEA and AFP to screen for cancer. I know it's not good for screening, but he saw me freaking out.
I will go for a colonoscopy, since the GI will recommend that immediately, but my fears of colon cancer aren't as bad
Are the symptoms I am getting consistent with people with diverticulosis or do I need to investigate more
Posted 6/3/2006 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I think the CT with contrast was ordered more to ease my mind that a big blockage in the colon was causing my narrow stools. I am sure I had them before, but never took notice
I go to the bathroom right after most meals, but the concerning thing was not having what I would consider a normal stool for a week or two
THe divertulosis is mostly in the left portion of my colon and sigmoid are so the radiologist told me pains in lower quadrant would be consistent with this diagnosis
Posted 6/5/2006 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
HI Koofster- I think the CT pretty much "sees it all." I think it would have picked up a tumor. I had a CT with contrast back in April and it found a 3cm tumor on my left adrenal gland. They think it is benign and I am in the process of follow-up tests to make sure, but just thought I'd let you know such things do show up on CT. Also, it has nothing to do with my diarrhea- they call it an "incidentaloma" meaning an adenoma they just found while looking for something else. I haven't had a normal stool since February.

Sami
Posted 6/6/2006 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I think you should ask the gastro Dr. about what the cT shows and does not show. I believe it is more for organs. There is something called a virtual colonscopy which is being touted as an alternative to a colonoscopy but if it shows polyps which a CT scan can't show then you need the colonoscopy anyway. The prep is the same so may as well go the whole route in the beginning. I had the cT scan after the endo and colonoscopy because they wanted to check other organs so did an abdominal and pelvic CT. I believe it can show if a bowel is twisted or something but cannot go thru the bowel wall especially if you are not clear of feces. I didn't know though that you could diagnose diverticulosis from a CT scan though. It does show the small intestines, I think.
Posted 6/6/2006 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled for colonscopy on thursday
The said the only way to really see in the colon is by colonoscopy, which is why I am doing it
He says my colon is filled with diverticula which could be causing my bouts of const and diarrhea
I have also worked myself in to a frenzy of nerves which makes things worse
My regular MD is the voice of reason pointing out that tumor markers, CT scan, lack of anemia and fecal occult blood all were negative, so I shouldn't worry. Easier said than done. I am driving my family crazy and these nerves are making my whole problem worse.
Also searching the net and reading about all these horror stories is not helping. He suggested valium for a few days. I refused. It's weird. I never get nervous about anything, ever. Now this and I am a basket case
I haven't eaten more than 500 calories a day in 2 weeks and I go to the bathroom right after, so obviously I am not absorbing anything which led to a 10 pound weight loss
Posted 6/9/2006 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Koofster....would you please contact me by email...I would like to ask you some questions. My email is [email protected].

Thanks and hope you are feeling better.
Posted 7/1/2011 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Koofster,

I have similar symptoms and would like to know more about your colonoscopy results if you're comfortable sharing.

Best wishes.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply