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Mucous Alone with no other symptoms?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/25/2017 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I got out of a flare about a month ago. For the past 4 weeks, I have 1 BM, formed, no urgency, no blood at all, no D etc. The only thing I see is visible white mucous in the stool (not a ton but visible to the eye) about 50% of the time, which has not reduced. My blood work is also completely normal (no anemia; ESR/CRP is normal) as are stool tests. The fecal calproctecin was 68 about 2 weeks ago (cut off lab uses is 162). When I flare it's really high.

When I have brought up mucous the GI doctors do not seem to care or think it's an issue. Would you ignore this and assume it's nothing? I'm on low dose balsalizide only and cannot take any more due to side effects (4 pills per day instead of 9).

--I think this might be low grade inflammation or very mild inflammation. Is this safe to have long-term? Is mucous dangerous if you have it long-term without other symptoms?
Posted 3/25/2017 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
At worst I'd say it's mild inflammation. More likely IBS induced gas.

Maybe give it another week before mentioning to your doctor, as long as everything else is normal and you feel OK.
Posted 3/25/2017 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Mucus is one of those things that dr's don't seem to be overly worried about unless you are passing mucus by itself. IBS and foods can cause mucus as well as inflammation. When I have mucus I always worry, however. For me it is generally a sign of something brewing UC wise.
Posted 3/26/2017 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Mucus is one of our least concerning symptoms. A healthy large intestine is coated with a thin layer of mucus. Those of us with IBS and/or IBD produce a lot more mucus than is typical, meaning we see it in stool or pass just mucus. Mucus happens in IBS, without inflammation being present and that's why doctors aren't at all worried about it. Blood, urgency, and frequency are all indicators of inflammation and get our doctors worried. That said, mucus can be a sign that our intestine is irritated and for some of us might be an early warning sign of a flare (once you get to know your UC over the years). Try not to worry.
Posted 3/26/2017 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
A once in a while is noteworthy in that it could be connected to food or changed gut activity from it working harder for whatever reason.
Regularly over a few days and in globs or around the stool could be your symptom for inflammation. Once you start to pass it alone... start the rectal meds nightly.

If you have probiotics....increase them as well as increase the fibre a bit.

q
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