Constant Diarrhea

Hello I'm a female, 25 years. I'm about 1m70 with a 65kg. I take Escitalopram 20 and deso 20 on a daily basis. Since years I had on and off stomach and bowel issues: cramps, diarrhea. This year I had chronic diarrhea since +/- january (sometimes up to 5 times a day). Mostly in the mornings. I got my blood and stool tested: low calprotectine, no weird bacteria, no parasites, no blood in stool. My doctor thinks it could be IBS but I'm not sure. He advised me to see a Gastroenterologist as well to make sure it's not allergies etc. Can you think of possible causes? Ofcourse stress might make it worse but even when I'm relaxed I get these problems so that can't be all I guess. Maybe worth mentioning: sometimes I have normal stool but it comes with brown water as well so I can't see anything in the toilet anymore. Low vit D and folic acid for years.Thank you.

Hi @silkedp1 and welcome to Connect. Having multiple bowel issues is never fun. You'll see that I moved your comment to a discussion that was started in May by @taonamission about their chronic bowel problems. I did this so that you can connect with members who are going through similar issues.

Mayo Clinic does state, The precise cause of IBS isn't known. Factors that appear to play a role include:

Muscle contractions in the intestine. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as they move food through your digestive tract. Contractions that are stronger and last longer than normal can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Weak intestinal contractions can slow food passage and lead to hard, dry stools.
Nervous system. Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system may cause you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can cause your body to overreact to changes that normally occur in the digestive process, resulting in pain, diarrhea or constipation.
Severe infection. IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhea (gastroenteritis) caused by bacteria or a virus. IBS might also be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth).
Early life stress. People exposed to stressful events, especially in childhood, tend to have more symptoms of IBS.
Changes in gut microbes. Examples include changes in bacteria, fungi and viruses, which normally reside in the intestines and play a key role in health. Research indicates that the microbes in people with IBS might differ from those in healthy people.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
Have you booked an appointment to see a GI doctor?

I’m sorry you’re going through all this as I know how frustrating it can be. After decades of not knowing what was causing my diarrhea, and then believing dairy was the culprit, I’ve come to understand that’s it’s celiac disease. There is a doctor (Dr Joseph A. Murray) at Mayo who has studied celiac and related gluten problems. I bought his book, “Mayo Clinic Going Gluten-FREE“. After reading the book and absorbing info plus related information on Mayo’s site, I believe my decades of diarrhea was caused by gluten sensitivity. Read up on it. I stopped eating gluten and within 2 weeks I was a new person with literally no diarrhea. Btw, gluten intolerance can lead to dairy intolerance. See rthis Mayo site https://order.store.mayoclinic.com/books/gnweb28?utm_source=MC-DotOrg-PS&utm_medium=Link&utm_campaign=Gluten-Book&utm_content=GGF

Im seeing an integrative doctor at Mayo and a nutritionist there and with the supplements they put me on as well as the SCD I just started under them, the horrific gastro issues Ive dealt with since 3rd grade are getting under control. Ive been on the supplements for probably 3 months now (?) am super new in the SCD (specific carbohydrate diet) but already, there has been HUGE improvement. I have dealt with horrific gastro issues more of my life years than not and to have this getting under control is huge. Look up the SCD diet: http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
I have done the Weston A Price diet, the Paleo, vegetarian, vegan, and this one by far Im having the most success. The doctor I see is in the integrative department at Mayo. No one should have to live with the gastro issues your dealing with so fight for normalcy and health!! Dont give up!!! In the meantime, look up the SCD diet. It is a huge change and will require commitment and work on your part but for me, digestive pain was a great motivator.
Best to you..

Hello everyone i'm new to this discussion board and have a few questions and comments on ISBD. I have had diarreah for over 2000 days in a row. I have had 3 colonoscipies 2 endoscipies the camera pill 2 or 3 ct scans I have seen probably 4 "specialists" also lost 50 lbs over the last 5 years.Not 1 doctor has any answers just the routine lets try this pill or it's your diet ? Im 67 years old and have been healtyh as a horse until one day i started throwing up and after a few days of that i started having diarreah on a daily basis.As the months progessed it became much worse to the point of where it is today which is complete diarreah no soft stools. My 1st specialist diagnosed lactose intolerence as the problem.I have tried numerous pills along with no dairy cheese milk ice cream still no good results.Had one doctor tell me it looks like Pancreatic Cancer ( without any tests taken just his opinion) wow thanks doc for the positive news WOW! so here i am asking other sufferers what can i do? It has now gotton so bad i have to have intravenious fluids because im dehydrated.As we speak im trying to set up an appointment with MAYO CLINIC.

Hello @burford and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry to hear of this long bout that you have had with diarrhea. I can only imagine how fatigued you must feel.

After seeing many specialists and having so many tests, your plan to go to Mayo Clinic for a consultation is a very good idea. Do you already have an appointment scheduled? If not here is a link that will give you information on scheduling an appointment at one of the three Mayo Clinic facilities. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

As you mentioned that you've tried a lactose-free diet, I'm just wondering if you have tried a gluten-free eating plan?

thanks for getting back with me i did get tested for glucose, e-coli, microscopic colitis, water tested ( our private well) and a few other tests too many to remember but all test's were (-) so here i am still sick. Thanks for your time

@burford

I'll be thinking of you and hope that you find some answers. Will you let me know if you are able to be seen at Mayo Clinic?

@burford - Hi! I read your post and I am shocked!! I know what that diarrhea is like, but not for that length of time.
I had collagenous colitis and then other autoimmune enteritis/colitis.
Like you, I have had numerous colonoscopies, endoscopes, capsule, CTs, ultrasounds, labwork. Most at Mayo.
After years of testing after the initial treatment for collagenous colitis, I got an answer to my autoimmune GI disease. New information in the Medical community found a cause that could be treated.
Have you kept your copies of all reports as well as reports from the doctors? Do you know what illnesses they have ruled out?
Are there any positive findings in biopsies you may have had? Did they do biopsies?
Teresa asked if you have been tested for celiac disease/ gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease comes to mind at once.
Your best chance is to get an appointment at Mayo.
Prepare to get full records from all doctors you have seen- sometimes they like to see them before getting an appointment- or they will ask that records are sent there before the visit.
Good luck! Mayo is superb.

Hello have you been tested for Celiac Disease?