Chronic Diarrhea Unexplained for 12 Weeks
I am a 19-year-old female, standing at 5'8" and weighing 84 kg. Over the past three months, I have been experiencing chronic diarrhea that appeared suddenly. Throughout these 12 weeks, my stool has not reached a solid consistency; it's either very watery or extremely soft. The color usually ranges from orange to yellow, although I have also encountered very dark brown or near-black stools. Additionally, I experience abdominal pain that feels as though it is pressing against my spine, with minimal gas production. Sleep is elusive for me, and I often feel fatigued. Unfortunately, I have also had several incidents where I lost control and soiled myself. Certain foods do not seem to alleviate or exacerbate my condition; rather, it varies from day to day, swinging between extremely watery and somewhat manageable. My dietary habits have not been the best; I believe I might have Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), as I have been following a one-meal-a-day (OMAD) pattern for nearly three years. My intake is severely limited, typically involving only five different foods in a month, with daily caloric intake usually below 1000 calories. Notably, there were no significant dietary changes coinciding with the onset of my diarrhea. Interestingly, prior to the development of my symptoms, I noticed a significant weight increase—a swing from 82 kg to 88 kg, fluctuating between 85 kg and back again. Once the diarrhea began, my weight fluctuations persisted but appeared less severe. However, just yesterday, the diarrhea worsened considerably, making it feel as if my body was on fire; this morning I weighed 85.4 kg, which has now dropped to 84.5 kg today, accompanied by heightened abdominal pain. I have also felt an unusual pulsing sensation in my abdomen today, which generally only happens after physical exertion. I’m seeking thoughts on what might be causing these issues and which specific tests I should request from my doctor. I have submitted a stool sample but have yet to have any blood tests done.
Answers (1)
7/22/2025, 8:20:55 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing quite a significant and uncomfortable situation with your chronic diarrhea and related symptoms. Given the duration of your symptoms and the impact they are having on your daily life, it's important to consider this carefully. Here’s a summary of key points related to your condition followed by some actionable steps.
Summary
You are dealing with chronic diarrhea lasting 12 weeks, abdominal pain, unusual stool colors, fatigue, and concerns about your weight and dietary habits. These symptoms, particularly the change in bowel consistency, can indicate various underlying health issues that may need to be explored further.
Explanation
Chronic diarrhea can arise from a range of causes, including infections (bacterial, viral, or parasitic), inflammatory bowel conditions (like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), dietary intolerances or sensitivities (such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease), and even stress or psychological factors. The color and consistency of your stools, combined with your dietary restrictions and significant weight change, further complicate this picture.
Given that you have also noticed abdominal pain and other distressing symptoms, it’s critical to work towards obtaining a clearer diagnosis.
Next Steps
-
Follow Up on Medical Tests:
- Stool Analysis: Make sure to discuss the results of your stool sample with your healthcare provider to rule out infections or parasites.
- Blood Tests: Request a comprehensive blood panel, including tests for:
- Complete blood count (CBC) to check for signs of infection or anemia.
- Electrolytes to ensure you are not dehydrated.
- Liver and kidney function tests.
- Tests for conditions such as celiac disease (like tissue transglutaminase antibodies).
-
Documenting Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed symptom diary, noting the frequency, consistency, and color of your stools, along with associated symptoms like pain and fatigue. This can help your healthcare provider in the diagnostic process.
-
Dietary Review:
- While working with a healthcare professional, consider seeking guidance from a registered dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal issues. They can help you diversify your diet safely and get adequate nutrition.
-
Hydration:
- Focus on staying well-hydrated to prevent dehydration, especially with frequent diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions can help replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.
-
Monitor Weight:
- Keep track of any significant weight changes and report them to your doctor, as this can be critical for diagnosis and planning your treatment.
-
Seek Support:
- If you suspect ARFID or have concerns about your eating patterns, mental health support can be beneficial. Connecting with a mental health professional who understands dietary issues can provide additional strategies.
If symptoms worsen or you experience severe pain, fever, or weakness, seek immediate medical attention. Remember, you're not alone in this, and addressing these issues with healthcare professionals can lead to effective management and improvement in your quality of life. Let me know if you have any other questions or need further clarification!
Related Questions
Dealing with Loperamide-Induced Constipation: Seeking Solutions
Warning: This discussion involves digestive health topics. I’m a 24-year-old woman, standing at 5’5” and weighing around 140 pounds. I don’t smoke and have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Recently, I was experiencing severe anxiety and dehydration due to some intense diarrhea, which prompted my doctor to prescribe loperamide. I took the initial dose two days ago and haven’t needed additional doses since then. However, now I find myself struggling with constipation and have yet to have a bowel movement. I’ve just started passing some gas, but still no stool. My anxiety persists, which is causing muscle tension and making it hard for me to breathe easily. To be honest, my eating and sleeping habits have been off due to the anxiety. My diet mainly consists of fruits, bread, rice crackers, beans, and jerky, and I only had a proper meal (tacos) today. I’ve also been trying melatonin for sleep, which is something new for me. I started with a 3 mg dose the first night, and I felt incredibly groggy the next day, so I reduced it to 1.5 mg the following night. I took both the loperamide and melatonin on the same evening. Unfortunately, my doctor is unreachable since the health clinic is closed over the weekend, leaving me without guidance. I’ve begun to experience some mild abdominal discomfort, but I think a proper bowel movement would alleviate that. I prefer to avoid over-the-counter remedies, as I’m concerned about jeopardizing my hydration, which has been quite the struggle. I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for foods that might help, any stretches that could encourage movement, or if I should simply try to relax.
Is My Health Declining?
At 25 years old, I’m a non-smoker who only indulges in alcohol during New Year’s celebrations. I manage a few health conditions including a nonverbal learning disorder, sensory processing difficulties, mild depression, dyspraxia, troublesome duodenal bile reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which has been in remission. I also experience sinus tachycardia and maintain low blood volume. I stand at 5 feet, 3 inches and weigh 119 pounds—a drop from 127 at the start of December. My current medications include buspirone and metoprolol, along with a B complex vitamin supplement. Approximately eight months ago, I began noticing unusually large black pieces in my bowel movements. Strikingly similar to bits of diced green pepper but entirely black, these chunks appear daily and vary drastically in size—from resembling a piece of rosemary to about the size of my thumbnail. Typically, I end up with a small handful of these peculiar pieces. The odor has become quite unpleasant, yet I only began to consider this recently. Not long after these occurrences started, I had a short period of worsened IBS symptoms—which was strange since I had been symptom-free for two years. Everything reverted to normal until December, when I had an unfortunate episode followed by a particularly rough evening shortly after consuming a lot of sugar. I anticipated feeling “iffy” for just a few days, but that feeling lingered. Now, nearly three months later, I’m frequently experiencing \\*almost\\* daily flare-ups and usually looser stools that range anywhere from a 6 to a fuzzy 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart. Moreover, I’m feeling slightly more discomfort outside of bowel movements than I have in the past. Attempts to tweak my diet have yielded no improvement. Given my relatively young age, I hope I’m not facing something as serious as colon cancer. The last time I stressed over abnormal bowel movements, a professional informed me I was simply excreting excess fat, which is quite common. I researched potential causes for my current situation, and it seems this black matter is not related to pepper, which is somewhat reassuring. I’m unsure how to determine if what I’m seeing is truly “tar-like.” Occasionally, I feel a pressure in my lower left abdomen, somewhat like trapped gas that persists for several days before easing up. Due to my propensity for unnecessary anxiety regarding my health, I felt compelled to share my situation here. Is this just typical IBS behavior, or should I be more concerned? My parents suggest I remain calm and avoid a GI consultation (as I will soon lose my insurance), but I would prefer to avoid another extensive testing journey. Unfortunately, my quality of life has diminished significantly in recent months, prompting my need for clarity.
Seeking Answers for Digestive Distress: Recommended Tests and Advice
I am a 34-year-old Caucasian female, standing at 165 centimeters tall and weighing 78 kilograms. On a daily basis, I take several medications: Prestance (5/5), Aerius, a hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring, and magnesium bisglycinate (365 mg). Occasionally, I also use Lexaurin (bromazepam) at a dosage of 0.75 mg every two or three weeks, primarily for anxiety and sleep disturbances, though I have not taken it in the last three weeks. Previously, I underwent multiple tests. Initial blood tests indicated a slight increase in amylase levels, which led to an abdominal ultrasound, yet nothing abnormal was detected. Both flexible sigmoidoscopy and a subsequent abdominal ultrasound were performed, revealing only hemorrhoids and an anal fissure. Throughout my life, I’ve grappled with digestive issues. Since childhood, I dealt with constipation, which ultimately resulted in hemorrhoids and my first anal fissure. To address this, I became conscious of my diet and utilized osmotic laxatives, which significantly improved my situation for many years, allowing me to have regular bowel movements without bleeding. However, approximately one year ago, I began experiencing unexpected episodes of diarrhea that can last between a couple of days to a week at a time. Mornings are particularly challenging, as I often experience loose stools, which eventually stabilize later in the day. During these episodes, I feel continually fatigued; after waking up, all I want is to return to bed, and merely completing my workday feels incredibly taxing. I also suffer from persistent nausea without vomiting, and this typically follows a pattern of ten days of normal or firmer stools followed by three days of diarrhea. Thankfully, I managed to avoid any diarrhea for over two months and even found myself needing to use Miralax occasionally. However, this past Wednesday, I awoke to an upset stomach once again. My meals consist of homemade food, which I ensure is not overly greasy or heavy, avoiding fast food and excessive sweets altogether. My overall daily functioning is severely impacted by the fatigue and frequent headaches I experience. Although I don’t encounter much abdominal pain, I do feel cramping in the lower central abdomen along with considerable gas and rumbling. I have scheduled an appointment with my general practitioner for Monday, though I find her approach somewhat passive; she tends to follow my requests rather than take the lead. What diagnostic tests should I consider requesting? While I am open to the possibility of upper endoscopy, a full colonoscopy seems daunting due to my anal fissure. I would greatly appreciate any insights regarding what might be happening. I understand it’s difficult to provide specific answers, but any guidance would be immensely appreciated!
Concerns About Abdominal Discomfort
To start with, I feel compelled to mention that I struggle with severe health-related obsessive-compulsive disorder, which leads me to intensely focus on any symptoms I experience, resulting in unnecessary worry. Recently, I began to experience some discomfort in my abdomen, specifically in the area just below my right breast, which has now evolved into tenderness upon touch. This soreness is located beneath my rib cage, and I haven't experienced any changes in my appetite or feelings of nausea. My last bowel movement occurred on Thursday, and as of this morning, the discomfort has shifted slightly, now positioned just above my belly button. I had a regular bowel movement this morning and was able to take a walk without any issues. The pain only manifests when I cough or during the transitions between sitting and standing. Initially, I was concerned about the possibility of a hernia, but I understand that the pain associated with a hernia typically does not shift in location like mine seems to. I should also note that I am classified as overweight and have been living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for which I’m taking a proton pump inhibitor. Fortunately, my heartburn symptoms have remained stable, largely influenced by my dietary habits. Over the past year, I've dealt with some weight fluctuations due to medication side effects and stress (ranging from 330 pounds to 275 pounds and back to 310 pounds). Thankfully, I have not encountered vomiting or any changes in my bowel movements. I would appreciate any insights or advice on this matter.
Lymph Nodes Observed in Abdominal CT Scan
A 26-year-old female, standing at 5'1" and weighing 70 kg, who does not smoke and drinks alcohol occasionally, has been experiencing gastrointestinal problems characterized by alternating periods of constipation and softer stools since January 24th. Additionally, she was diagnosed with a bladder infection on February 3rd, which was treated with a single dose of antibiotics totalling 3000 mg. She sought emergency medical attention due to significant discomfort in her lower left back, initially feeling colicky before becoming a constant dull ache, leading to an overnight stay for an abdominal CT scan the following morning. The findings from this scan have caused her some concern, particularly regarding identified lymph nodes. **Medical Findings:** Diagnosis: Lumbosacral radiculopathy and fecal impaction. **Treatment Approach:** The patient has been prescribed spasmolytic analgesics and will undergo further radiological evaluation. **CT Scan Results:** The low-dose native abdominal CT revealed normal appearances of the kidneys and urinary tract on both sides, with no signs of urinary retention or kidney stones in the renal pelvis or ureters. However, a few small, nonspecific mesenteric lymph nodes were detected in the mesenteric root and perizocecal areas, along with small inguinal lymph nodes on both sides. There is also no indication of appendicitis, and the colon contains a moderate volume of stool. The remainder of the low-dose CT findings are within normal limits. **Ultrasound Findings:** The abdominal ultrasound indicates grade I ectasia of the left renal pelvis, while no abnormalities were noted in the left renal pelvis, and the bladder was observed to be empty following urination. **Next Steps:** A referral for further urological evaluation is recommended alongside maintaining adequate hydration, with analgesics suggested if pain management is necessary.