Concerns About Floating Stools and Pancreatic Health
Hello everyone, I am a 46-year-old woman with a generally good health record, although I deal with asthma and otosclerosis. In late February 2024, my family and I contracted stomach viruses that lasted for a brief span of two days. Ever since that incident, I have been experiencing floating stools on a nearly consistent basis. In May 2024, my gastroenterologist recommended a stool analysis, which indicated normal levels of fat and normal pancreatic function. Tests also ruled out Giardia and H. Pylori infections. Fast forward to October 2024, I underwent an MRCP both with contrast and without, which returned normal results. In February of this year, my primary care physician repeated the pancreatic function test, yielding normal results once again, along with normal bile levels. Additionally, a blood test for Celiac disease came back negative. However, since March, I have developed three new symptoms: 1. **Chronic Urticaria**: I consulted an allergist about this condition who suspects it was triggered by my Covid booster shot (the fifth or sixth, I think) that I received on February 14th. I was prescribed a week’s course of Claritin. While I still experience occasional itchy patches that lead to hives during the night, this issue has mostly improved. 2. **Sharp Rib Cage Pain**: I have been feeling a sharp pain beneath my rib cage on several occasions since early April 2025. This discomfort is fleeting but certainly troubling. 3. **Upper Back Tightness**: Lately, I have noticed tightness and achiness in the center of my upper back, specifically between my shoulder blades and at the base of my neck. On occasion, the discomfort radiates down to the middle of my back and sometimes affects the left side beneath my shoulder blade. Moreover, the floating stools remain a persistent issue. I have read numerous articles expressing concerns about radiologists potentially missing small pancreatic lesions—reports indicate this can happen in up to one-third of scans. I find myself feeling anxious about this possibility. Should I consider seeking a second opinion? I would appreciate any advice or insights you might have regarding the accuracy of MRCPs or whether there are additional tests or scans I should consider requesting. Thank you for your help!
Answers (1)
7/3/2025, 5:10:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing several interconnected health concerns, particularly with persistent floating stools and new symptoms that include rib cage pain and upper back tightness. It's understandable to feel anxious about your health, especially given the thorough evaluations you've undergone. Let’s break things down into manageable parts.
Key Points:
- Floating Stools: This can indicate malabsorption issues, often related to pancreatic function or bile secretion. Given that your tests have shown normal pancreatic function and bile levels, this is reassuring.
- New Symptoms: The sharp pain in your rib cage and upper back tightness may be unrelated to the floating stools but could be linked to muscle strain, post-viral effects, or even anxiety.
- Second Opinions: Your concerns about missed pancreatic lesions are valid, but it’s important to also weigh the results from your recent MRCP and tests.
Explanation:
- Floating Stools: These can occur due to a variety of reasons including dietary changes, fat malabsorption, or gastrointestinal infections. Since your recent tests have ruled out significant pancreatic issues, it may be beneficial to evaluate dietary factors or other gastrointestinal conditions more thoroughly.
- Sharp Rib Cage Pain & Upper Back Tightness: These symptoms may stem from muscle tension, perhaps exacerbated by stress or changes in your physical activity following the stomach virus. Given your history of asthma, it’s important to manage any respiratory tightness you may feel during these episodes.
Action Steps:
- Dietary Review: Keep a food diary to note any patterns in your diet that may coincide with the floating stool symptoms. Consider reducing high-fat foods temporarily to see if there’s any improvement.
- Symptom Monitoring: Track when the rib cage pain and upper back tightness occur, and note any activities or stressors leading up to them. This can help identify triggers.
- Relaxation Techniques: Explore stress-reduction strategies such as yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises, which may help alleviate muscle tension and anxiety.
- Follow-up Consultation: If anxiety about missed pancreatic lesions persists, it would be reasonable to discuss your concerns with your physician. They can provide insights on the limitations of MRCPs and whether a second opinion or further testing might be considered for your peace of mind.
Additional Considerations:
If the chronic urticaria, rib cage pain, or back tightness worsens, or if you develop new symptoms like jaundice, significant weight loss, or changes in appetite, revisit your healthcare provider for more thorough evaluation. This approach ensures that all of your symptoms are considered in relation to each other.
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need clarification on specific symptoms or actions. You're not alone in navigating these health concerns, and it's important to find the right support and answers that work for you.
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