Loose stools/foamy stools for almost 3 weeks

[Worriedmumofone1]

Hi,

Coming up to three weeks now I’ve had loose stools, not full watery but type 6 on the Bristol stool chart. They’re very soft, raggedy and some of these stools have been foamy and yellow. I know this an indication of fat malabsorption.

Sent two stool samples off yesterday, doctor said they’re testing each sample for inflammation and/or infection. Blood test on Wednesday.

I have up to 8 bowel movements a day and often have to wake up at night to go. The ones at night seem to be the worst and accompanied by the worst nausea and stomach upset. Weird feeling above my belly button. I feel like I’m living my own personal hell as I have health anxiety and emetaphobia too (fear of being sick)

I’ve had what feels like a very rocky time all my life and have only been happy these past 2 years since my daughter came into it. I’m so scared I’m dying and not getting to watch her grow up

Has anyone been through something like this? Not sure what I’m looking for, probably reassurance or just someone to talk to 😣

Hey, I haven't been through what you're experiencing but I just wanted to say that I also have health anxiety and emetophobia and I have bowel problems from IBS which causes untold symptoms and nausea so I just wanted to say, you're not alone.
I can't say everything will be alright as I don't know that and even if I did your health anxiety wouldn't believe it (I know from experience) but I understand how frightened you must be and how miserable you must be feeling on a daily basis. Hopefully the stool tests and blood tests will you give you some answers - mine all came back fine which wasn't helpful at all because I still feel abnormal and ill with this condition. Do you have IBS or usually have any bowel problems before this? X

Thank you for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it. Sorry you’re in the same boat - it’s horrendous isn’t it, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Re pre-existing issues, for the past few years I’ve noticed I tend to get nauseous right before a bowel movement but then tend to feel better not long after. So I always just assumed IBS but the stools themselves were always normal so I never worried! The past three weeks is a different ballgame entirely. Eagerly waiting to hear back re the stool samples as I just know they’ll be something wrong. What kind of issues do you experience? 😢 x

@Nogodsnomasters sorry didn’t tag you for some reason!

I had similar and it was a stomach bug which the gp treated with antibiotics. Try not to over think this until you have our test results back.

Omg that happens to me too where I feel nauseous before a bowel movement and better after, I've never heard anyone else say that! And I also attribute it to my IBS. I've had varying symptoms over the years with it.
How long do you have to wait for your results? X

@GildedAge thank you. I know I need to stop overthinking and looking at doctor Google. I did suspect a bug, but everywhere says they don’t last this long. What tests did you have to diagnose if you don’t mind me asking?

@Nogodsnomasters there’s some strength in solidarity isn’t there. Oddly I never had or noticed that sensation before having my daughter! I’m not sure tbh, she didn’t give me a timeframe. She did say to take probiotics for a week and call back if my tummy wasn’t better (with the tests going in in the background). I might call Friday. X

Dr Google is the worst. I know how difficult it is to stay off it, it can become addictive/obsessive, it's horrible.
Yes absolutely it's reassuring to hear that others are going through the same thing as you, there is nothing as lonely as the human condition! Probiotics are worth a try but I'm not sure a week is enough to have a massive affect. Yeah ring on Friday and see what they say, I'm in Northern Ireland and here it's usually 3 days for stool results to come back.

Mine was diagnosed by a stool sample.

@Nogodsnomasters I thought as much but my doctor seemed to think it would do something after a week! I hope my results come that quickly too!

@GildedAge thank you, I’ve had those and praying for just a bug and nothing else 🙏🏽

Hi, I know exactly how you feel. I have submitted a similar post about my bowels and health anxiety, not had any replies yet :(

I have been having loose bowels on and off for the past year, mainly after changing my antidepressants but I am settled with what I take now and I had a stomach upset on Sunday evening which threw me into a panic. I am seeing my doctor in the morning.

I worry about taking a stool sample because I will panic while I am waiting for the results but then again I want to know and hopefully it will come back OK and then I can relax.

I did have a stool sample a year ago that came back negative but then the tablets I was on was causing my bowel problems because as soon as I came off them my bowels went back to normal.

I have emetophobia too and the first signs of loose bowels I associate with being sick so I panic about that also.

I hope your results come back OK, I am sure they will do. I know how hard it is to overthink things.

I feel your pain identically. Loose stools also trigger my emetophobia because I associate them with a stomach bug. I have IBS and have spent many wasted days over the last 15yrs having panic attacks over loose bowel movements - it's debilitating and embarrassing personally. None of us are alone which is reassuring.

Hi op, just checking in with you if you got any results back from you stool sample and how you're feeling? X

@Nogodsnomasters hey - thanks for checking in. Stool sample showed inflammation, calprotectin level of 109 (normal range is 0-50 I’m told). Doctor is referring me to a gastro specialist but she insisted she wasn’t worried about it being serious. Other than that my bloods were fine just now vitamin D. She told me the referral could take meanwhile I’m miserable over here and not really able to live life properly 😢

Sorry just noticed your previous post after I typed this! I feel your pain, also have spent so much time in panic or discomfort at the thought of this that or the other happening related to being or feeling sick. I find the feeling is worse than the act, do you? X

@pussinboots61 so sorry I missed your post. And sorry that you’re suffering. I hope you’ve had some replies now? Where are you with getting some tests done? Sending love x

That's really reassuring that your blood results were okay, will they give you some vitamin D? It should help a lot how you feel but obviously won't affect the bowel business. Do you think a colonoscopy is your next port of call then probably?
I went to the GP yesterday who's changing my medication for IBS so I'll give that a try but don't hold out much hope.

Hi, glad your tests are OK. Still no replies to my other post.

I saw my doctor on Wednesday morning and she didn't do any tests, she feels sure its my anxiety and IBS and that is causing my bowel problems. I've not been to the toilet to move my bowels since last Sunday but this always happens after I've had a bout of loose bowels. I do feel better now as I know my doctor is thorough and would do tests if she felt it was needed.

@Nogodsnomasters sorry for the very late reply. Been a hectic few weeks. Re vitamin D I take a multivitamin that supposedly has a high amount in but way well need to look into a supplement on its own. I get paranoid about taking too many pills though. Not sure if you share that irrational emet fear!

Not long after I last replied my bowels started to normalise. Then I went out and had some “junk food” (falafel wrap with chips so not entirely junk) and the next day had diarrhoea again. For the following week ate really cleanly and it went away again. Got brave with food and ate cookies etc and then again the problems start. So it seems like IBS but possibly started with a bug as dr google tells me about post bug IBS. No news re gastro appointment but had to repeat a stool sample this morning so will be interested to see results.

How are you / is your new medication working?

@pussinboots61 so glad you feel reassured and confident in your GP. It’s a real mixed bag at my surgery I feel more confident speaking with certain doctors.

@Worriedmumofone1 thanks for getting back, glad to hear you have worked out what is causing the problems, I'm sure that's given you great relief.
Unfortunately I'm no further forward with my bowels on that new medication so I've started yesterday with lactose free dairy to see if this makes any difference.

@Nogodsnomasters ah that’s rubbish. Are you doing it through doctors orders or off your own back?

@Worriedmumofone1 just off my own back but if it doesn't work I'll be going back to the GP again. I've read online that if they're happy to leave the diagnosis as IBS then I'm entitled to a dietician referral at the very least to help me so I'll be asking for that.

@Nogodsnomasters I think it’s a good shout. Let me know how you get on. I still think it’s something specific irritating me but we’re vegan so must be soy or something else and I can’t bear the thought of eliminating it 🥲

Yes I do trust my doctor. I hope you can get some reassurance from your doctor.

I had another panic attack last night as I had been out for a meal, got home and my bowels were completely normal, I felt so relieved. And then not long after I had the sudden urge to go to the toilet again and it was loose.

I had got an appointment booked with my doctor this morning so I told her all about it. She is still sure I have all the symptoms of IBS but says I can do a stool test to check for infection if that makes me feel better so I am going to do that and hope I don't get too worried waiting for the results but she feels sure it will be normal.

It is awful to be constantly worried about bowel movements, I do sympathise with you,

@pussinboots61 ah that’s a shame, I’ve had that before and can definitely attribute it to anxiety. I’ve read our mental state really is closely linked to our gut. Stool sample is a good idea I definitely find somewhat better after mine. I think when something is seriously wrong it’s quite obvious.

Ladies how are we all doing with our bowels and anxiety? Mine is worse than ever and no further forward. Was sent for an ultrasound and my pancreas, gallbladder and liver were all fine but they discovered I've only got 1 kidney, this is just adding to my list of problems fs. The nausea and bowel issues are daily. Sick of looking at GP. Have had rectal exams and more stool tests being done at the moment but no gastro appointment yet.

@Worriedmumofone1 I know this post is old but I'm having similar issues and wondered if you ever got to the bottom of this? I hope you're OK.