Ulcerative colitis or bad infection?

Hi there guys. I recently got very sick with a fever, fatigue, and frequent diarrhea. The fever and fatigue lasted for about 3 days, while my diarrhea kept going. It was very bad at first, very frequent, maybe 6-7 times a day and during the night where I would have to get up and go. The diarrhea was also very watery, and I'm sure I had some tenesmus, where I felt like I had more stuff in my bowel but couldn't go. Although my other symptoms got better, one day I noticed a good amount of blood in my watery diarrhea. I went to the doctor, who ordered a stool test. This bloody diarrhea continued for about another 1-2 days, with the blood beginning to slowly decrease. My diarrhea was very slimy, yellowish, with blood mixed in and an AWFUL smell. However, it got to the point where I could only notice small amounts of blood in my diarrhea towards the end. Lately, I haven't noticed any blood in my stool, plus I have no diarrhea. My diarrhea lasted for a total of 8 days.

Here's what I'm very concerned about. My bowel feels hyperactive. I can hear it constantly growling and rumbling. My stool is also not brown, but a lighter yellowish brown shade. I'm most concerned about that session of bloody diarrhea that I had. The stool tests have come back negative for the three bacteria he ordered it tested for. If I didn't have a bacterial infection, then what could have caused my bloody stool? Could it be a different strain of bacteria or parasite? What could have caused the fever then?

What are your thoughts on this? Possible beginnings of ulcerative colitis or a bad case of stomach flu? As of today, the diarrhea and blood in stool are gone. I feel fine, no fatigue whatsoever and no abdominal pain. I never had any stomach pain during my bout of bloody diarrhea either. The two things I am worried about right now are my stool color (yellowish brown) and my bowel which won't stop making noise. My stool isn't watery anymore, but it is soft. Not what I feel is normal, but it is slowly improving I guess.

Do you guys think its likely I'm coming down with ulcerative colitis, or was this just an infection that irritated my bowel? Perhaps I am worrying about this much more than I should be. My doctor hasn't brought this up with me. He believes that the blood in my stool was due to either a bacterial infection, or simply my frequent diarrhea which irritated my butt.

Please give me your thoughts on this. I can't get it off my head!

Post Edited (Chauffer) : 12/7/2014 5:39:03 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks for the reassurance. This whole thing has got me scared to death. I've been dealing with a lot of crap lately in my life, including a lot of stress and anxiety. UC is the last thing I need in my life.

Is abdominal pain a common symptom that you guys experienced at the onset of UC? I don't have any pain and didn't have any when I had the bloody diarrhea either, mostly small discomfort from the bowel movements that went away. To say the least however, that bloody diarrhea still concerns me. Perhaps it was a bacteria that he didn't test for, because he only tested for 3.

Again, thank you for the reassurance. I really hope that my symptoms get better and I don't have UC.

Full results aren't back yet but all I heard so far is that I tested negative for the bacteria he ordered them tested for (Yersinia, E coli, Campylobacter) :/.

You most certainly need a c-scope for a visual as well as biopsies.

q

Given that you had a really bad few days with terrible diarrhea including bloody diarrhea, I think you need to establish realistic expectations of when your bowel function might return to normal. It might take several more days or even weeks for you to have a normal bm. You are probably lactose intolerant (temporarily I hope) and should omit dairy from your diet for the time being.

A colonoscopy is an invasive test that will take a few days out of your normal life. Your diarrhea has stopped. You are feeling better. There is no emergency. I would not recommend a scope at this time, but that would be the next step after stool samples for an undiagnosed bowel.

In the meantime, get yourself some good yogurt and nutritious soups (that don't have lactose in them) and I hope you continue to improve.

I think you just had a really bad bug that's taking some time to get over.

AZYooper said...
Sounds like an infection. I had montezumas revenge years ago and it was worse than my UC flares and sounds just like what you have. It got better on it's own in a week. There are many types of viral, bacterial and amoebic infections that cause dysentery/colitis symptoms. Much more common than IBD. UC doesn't clear up that quick. Fever and putrid smell are a big clue. If it gets worse go back for more tests. There are a lot of infections it can be and it is good the doctor just didn't throw antibiotics at you. You are most likely going to get better on your own.

fever and putrid smell are big clues for infection or UC?

kazbern said...
Given that you had a really bad few days with terrible diarrhea including bloody diarrhea, I think you need to establish realistic expectations of when your bowel function might return to normal. It might take several more days or even weeks for you to have a normal bm. You are probably lactose intolerant (temporarily I hope) and should omit dairy from your diet for the time being.

A colonoscopy is an invasive test that will take a few days out of your normal life. Your diarrhea has stopped. You are feeling better. There is no emergency. I would not recommend a scope at this time, but that would be the next step after stool samples for an undiagnosed bowel.

In the meantime, get yourself some good yogurt and nutritious soups (that don't have lactose in them) and I hope you continue to improve.

Yeah I don't feel comfortable with a colonoscopy right now. Sounds really uncomfortable to me, and I'm still in school for those of you who are wondering (17). Already missed a lot of school and would not like to miss anymore. While I am really concerned with my bloody diarrhea, many of you are suggesting that it is not out of the ordinary to get bloody diarrhea from just an infection.

If my doctor were to order a colonoscopy to rule out UC, I would have no objections. My doctor hasn't called me about the stool samples yet. Perhaps I really am overreacting about this all. My doctor didn't mention anything about a colonoscopy, and insured me that this was just an infection and that I will get better.

My diet right now consists of whole grains, bananas, yogurt (chobani), chicken breast, and veggies. Its nothing too out of the ordinary, since i normally try to eat healthy anyways. I don't drink regular milk normally, I drink almond milk. I'm going to keep an eye on my stools for any abnormalities but so far, they're still that yellowish-brown and my stomach is still making some noise. Aside from that, I feel healthier than ever :).

Should my stool tests come back negative and my doctor still doesn't seem concerned about IBD or a colonoscopy, would you recommend mentioning it to him or going for one myself?

Thank you guys for all the replies!

Post Edited (Chauffer) : 12/8/2014 5:41:52 PM (GMT-7)

A good doctor will recommend a scope for a kid only when absolutely necessary, and at 17 you are still a kid (sorry). Invasive, disruptive procedures like scopes are reserved for people who are continously struggling with diarrhea, weight loss, malnourishment etc. But if you have another episode of bloody diarrhea, you should expect to be scoped. DRs don't like to mess with growing kids having bowel inflammation. It's of course a judgment call. I hope your parents are involved in this discussion with you and your DR.

One of the hardest humps to get over when you have bowel problems is being open and honest about what's going on. You have been taught since toddlerhood not to discuss your bowel habits. Most of us on this forum got over that a long time ago, LOL. I encourage you to be as honest and descriptive as you can with your parents and your DR.

Yeah I do feel like I am a bit of a hypochondriac. I don't think this is the first time I've overreacted about something either. All of you guys reassuring me about this

I feel a lot better, and still no diarrhea or blood. My stools are still bright yellow, my stomach still growls at me, and I see pieces of undigested food in my stool for some reason (carrots, bell peppers, green veggies). Aside from this, I feel great!

Is my normal diet of just whole grains, veggies, fruits, yogurt, and almond milk fine? I'm trying to eat foods that will help my bowel get back to normal again. I'm going to the bathroom a little more often than usual still (2 maybe 3 times a day) while i usually only go once a day.