mucus and yellow diarrhea for 1.5 years

[Brookboo15]

I woke up one morning and had very smelly, mucusy, diarrhea. This lasted for like 3 weeks straight before going to the doctor. She did not test me for anything but instead just told me I probably have IBS and prescribed me dicyclomine. I have had these issues off and on for about 1.5 years now. I have bright yellow colored diarrhea most of the time. It has mucus in it always. I have some full stomach pain usually that moves around where it hurts. Sometimes my stool is dark, sometimes yellow. Hardly ever anymore do I have solid stools that look normal, but sometimes I will for a few days. I do sometimes have a lot of burping and gas. Any idea what is wrong besides IBS? I have not went back to the doctor.

[Luisa22]

Honestly, I think you need to see a different doctor. No doctor can just look at you and say "you probably have iBS" She should have ordered stool tests as a preliminary, and see what came up. If any red flags, further testing. She should have done a blood test too. It's awful that you have had 18 months of this.

Yellow stool unless you have been eating loads of turmeric, can mean something's out of balance with the pancreas. I've heard Giardia infection causes that too. There may be other causes.

[Meleber in reply to Luisa22]

Totally agree with Luisa22 Get yourself a referral to a good gastroenterologist. They aren't magicians, don't know everything, but with some basic bowel examinations in a hospital they can at least rule out if something serious is going on in your digestive tract.

[xjrs]

Note sure which country you are in, but this is the protocol for diagnosing IBS in the UK:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

If you are in the UK and the doctor is not performing these standard exclusion tests then they are acting negligently.

[Blearyeyed]

Do get back to the GP and request you have the proper tests done to diagnose whether you have got IBS , or IBS caused by another problem as shown in the link from , xjrs.

If you get offered a drug that doesn't seem to help , tell your GP , and after the right tests ask to try something else.

To stop side effects which might make your diarrhea worse you come off your original medication slowly over a couple of weeks , have a weeks break then start the new medication at the lowest dose , and build it up over a month to the dose they suggest you take .

If you don't see any improvement within two months , especially if you request to increase the dose , it probably needs changing again.

But you do need to eliminate any other causes for your stomach and bowel movements first with the basic tests at the surgery , and perhaps with a referral to gastroenterology if they cannot find a cause to confirm IBS.

[Pajarorose]

Have you been tested for Chronic Pancreatitis? You need a CT scan of your pancreas and an Elastase test of your stool. You need to see a Gastroenterologist.

[CtKathleenUSA]

I was diagnosed decades ago. Sounds like regular IBS. Low pancreatic enzymes can cause diarrhea and color change, as well as IBS. If the enzymes are good, it sounds like IBS. I take a supplement of papaya enzymes with food to help my pancreas. (I used to drink.) I wouldn't be in a hurry for testing, IMHO. The first rounds of tests start with an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Test prep isn't fun. Most GI tests are uncomfortable, at best.For me, stress management and regular exercise help keep symptoms low. Good luck on your journey.

[Davefoxie]

Hi try cutting out any diary help me loads