Frequent diarrhea, with thin stool, and muscus

[kark]

I am 58, female. For about 3 months now, I have the following symptoms

1) Frequent diarrhea, with thin stool, and muscus. ~5 times a day. But no visible blood in stool.
2) Constant feeling of having to go to bathroom (even though sometimes there's nothing to release).
3) Feeling of more to release after diarrhea.
4) Slight abdominal pain, not frequent at all.
5) But no constipation.

The diarrhea becomes much much better after I take anti-biotics prescribed by my family doctor (Metronidazol). But if I stop taking it, it comes back in a few weeks.

I've also had feeling of bloated belly for years.

---

Just had a Colonoscopy with a GI specialist, and he discovered a few polyps and removed. But he also discovered an "erosion" in my intestine (towards the end). Not sure what erosion means exactly, and is it just another word for ulcer?

He sayd he does not know what I have, and says he'll do a biopsy on that erosion first to find out more.

As a second opinion, but from the descriptions, what do I most likely have? IBS? Ulcerative Colitis? Peptic Ulcer? Or something more serious?

Thanks!

 

[farm]

Wow, well it could be a number of things from UC, Diversticulosis, or Crohn's.
Hopefully you'll have an answer soon!
Welcome to the site :welcome:

 

[kark]

What will the biopsy help determine?

 

[farm]

My biopsy determined that I had Crohn's; so hopefully your biopsy of the area will give them an answer as to what you have and what has been causing these symptoms.

 

[kark]

My biopsy determined that I had Crohn's; so hopefully your biopsy of the area will give them an answer as to what you have and what has been causing these symptoms.

Ok, thanks. And also, what exactly is the difference between Crohns, UC, and Peptic Ulcer?

 

[farm]

Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis is, however, believed to have a systemic etiology that leads to many symptoms outside the intestine. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome ("IBS"), a troublesome, but much less serious, condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn's disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.

Crohn's disease (also known as granulomatous colitis and regional enteritis) is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from anus to mouth, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody), vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis and inflammation of the eye.

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation; it is classified as a type of inflammatory bowel disease.

A peptic ulcer, also known as ulcus pepticum, PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is an ulcer (defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm) of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. As many as 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, however only 40% of those cases go to a doctor. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs.

 

[kark]

Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis is, however, believed to have a systemic etiology that leads to many symptoms outside the intestine. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome ("IBS"), a troublesome, but much less serious, condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn's disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.

Crohn's disease (also known as granulomatous colitis and regional enteritis) is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from anus to mouth, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody), vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis and inflammation of the eye.

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation; it is classified as a type of inflammatory bowel disease.

A peptic ulcer, also known as ulcus pepticum, PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is an ulcer (defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm) of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. As many as 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, however only 40% of those cases go to a doctor. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs.

I see. Looks like UC and Crohn are more likely? The doctor said erosion, didn't say ulcer. Also I only have slight and occasional abdominal pain, not strong at all.

 

[farm]

I would say it's UC or Crohn's. If it was Diverticulosis they probably would have found diverticula during the colonoscopy.

Also, Lower Right Quadrant pain is very common with both.

 

[Peaches]

Welcome Kark! Luckily you have a biopsy to go with your diagnosis, so very soon you should have answer. Some people have to wait forever to even get the docs to do the biopsy. Good luck and let us know how you are getting along!

 

[shazamataz]

Welcome! I hope you get some answers soon so you can get onto treating things and feeling better!