Why have I had diarrhoea for over a month??

[MagicVanillaBeans]

I’m trying to get to the bottom (ha) of why I’m so unwell and would really appreciate some ideas or pointers. I’ve basically had diarrhoea for several weeks. Sometimes it seems to improve, but always comes back with a vengeance. It seems to get worse when I eat and when I wake up, so I’m often ill in the mornings and evenings and, while still annoying, it’s not so acute during the day.

Docs have done stool tests for bacteria and parasites (clear), inflammation (possible, slight, but borderline) and blood (the FIT test - clear, phew). They also did a blood test and all that came up was slight low iron, which I’ve had since at least late last year. No inflammation markers up on blood.

They wanted to wait 6 weeks and repeat the inflammation test, but I went back in tears saying I can’t go on like this (can’t do the school run, can’t work etc etc - also I’m really scared and the waiting is hard) and all that came of that is that they’re repeating the FIT test and bug test. Actually, no - GP also spoke to the gastro team who said they’ll do an x ray of my tummy but only if/when certain results come back.

I feel like no one knows what’s wrong with me or how to fix it. Do any of you have any suggestions of what to ask for? I would have thought a colonoscopy would be right in this instance but they said not 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry to hear that, it sounds tough.

Have you thought about it being an intolerance to lactose? Gluten? Or something else? Have you done a food and bowel movement diary to spot any patterns?

Thanks, yes I used to be lactose intolerant (not sure why I then wasn’t after a few years…) and cut out lactose when these symptoms started, assuming it had come back again, but it’s made no difference. Would gluten intolerance come on that suddenly at nearly 40…?) But yes, I’m keeping a food and symptom diary.

Could be gallstones,

That’s interesting. I don’t really have any pain?

You can have silent stones but get effects. Gall stones can be agonising, niggly or silent.

Ok, I’ll add that to the list to ask about. Thank you xx

If some TMI helps, it’s quite yellow… 😕

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? It can develop at any time and often goes undiagnosed. Have a look at isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk/ and gutscharity.org.uk/

It sounds like IBS-D to me it really is life debilitating

Try probiotics to help improve your gut health, they do work. Husband had diarrhoea for about 6 weeks, soon settled down after sing probiotics. Strangely enough the vet advised them when our dog had an upset tummy, sorted him out too.

using

Yes, sorry, they tested coeliac on my blood test and it was negative.

And is it likely to be IBS if it’s come on quite suddenly…? I feel like there must be a reason.

@CheshireCat1 thanks, no I haven’t tried them yet. Which ones would you recommend?

Hi there,
I could have written your post....
I turned 40 and it all went wrong for me too!!
I had diarrhea every morning, sometimes several times.
I've had loads of tests and everything has come back clear thankfully, however after being negative for coeliac disease I decided to go gluten free anyway....and it turns out I am actually gluten intolerant. The difference has been incredible. I had other symptoms too (hair loss, fatigue, joint pain as well as all the nasty digestive symptoms). I'm now 7/8 weeks gluten free and feel brilliant.
Incidentally, I only realised I may have issues with gluten as my youngest also had horrific digestive issues and did research. He is also negative for coeliac but on a gluten free diet...he's 3 weeks into it and there are changes for him too (although he's just getting over a rotten cold so that's upset things a little).
Worth checking it....make sure you're eating gluten at least 1x day for a good few weeks before a blood test though. I'd never had issues before hand but my consultant says it can be brought on by a trauma/stress/illness.
You mentioned it being yellow....Well I also have this, but for a slightly different reason.
I had my gallbladder removed last November (the trauma causing my new intolerance) and occasionally have (neon) yellow bile acid diarrhea because of it... its the way my body now produces bile and doesn't absorb it properly.
However, yellow/pale stool can be a sign of a blocked duct so do mention this to your gp also.
I hope you get to the bottom (hahaha) soon...I know how draining it is.
Xx

Is it something you're eating daily? When I have weetabix for breakfast I have runny poos numerous times throughout the day.

Any particular brand?

I'm similar to the OP as mornings are awful. Doesnt matter if I eat toast or just cup of tea, or even just water :/

Pro biotic wise you.m could try Bio kult.

or drink a good kefir like biotiful ( I drink the green one) one small glass a day.

Thank you @Candyflosscrochet so it just came on suddenly for you too? And when you say to eat gluten before the blood test, which test is that? I’ve had the coeliac test (negative) but didn’t know if there was a reliable test for gluten intolerance?

I had a ghastly stomach bug once that continued into persistent diarrhoea that went on for ages. It turned out that the initial problem had thrown my electrolytes out completely so my body just couldn't balance it's fluids and so it just wasn't getting any better.

I was prescribed dioralyte (you can just buy it over the counter though) which sorted me out, took three days I think.

So it can be something simple with a simple fix. No idea if that applies to you, but maybe a hopeful avenue to explore.

I presume they’ve tested for bugs like Guardia??

Otherwise it sounds like IBS, given there are no inflammatory markers in your blood that indicate crohns or colitis. It’s odd it’s come on so fast though… I dunno but I would insist on a referral to gastro asap as if nothing obvious is showing up, you are beyond a GP’s care. Unless you can get an urgent referral it may be worth paying.

I have had a wide and exciting variety of gastro issues over the years which has left me with a somewhat battered system. The thing that has made all the difference in the world is symprove - so that might be worth a 12 week whirl

@PimpMyFridge They say my blood results would have shown if I was fighting off a bug? So likely not a virus. But it wouldn’t hurt to try dioralyte anyway, thank you.

Did they test your thyroid function in the blood test? A few years ago I was diagnosed with Graves' disease and had a very, very overactive thyroid. One of the only symptoms was diarrhoea for months on end.

@continentallentil sounds like you’ve been through it - it’s so horrible! I don’t know about guardia (giardia?) - they definitely tested for parasites but not sure if that exact one.

I’m definitely thinking about a private gastro if we can afford it as the waiting time is ridiculous…

Thanks @mumof1or2 yes, they did test thyroid and it was fine. I really thought it might be that as my mum has Graves’ disease.

Have they done your liver function tests and bilirubin levels? If it's very yellow that would suggest increased bile which could be an indication of liver or gall bladder problems. Contrary to popular belief you don't have to drink to develop a fatty liver disease or gallstones.