I’ve had loose bowels for three months. Should I be concerned?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I know this is a gross topic, but for the last three much essentially every bowel movement I’ve had (which is at least once daily) has been loose. I know this is not normal, but is it something I should be very concerned about? Also, I’m 50 so could this be related to peri-menopause?

[Anonymous]

Any blood? Any pain? Start the ball rolling and get on the schedule for a GI doctor. You likely won't get an appointment for several months. if you still have loose BMs by then you will need the appointment.

[Anonymous]

Start with bloodwork and GI appointment. Could be a food allergy developed too.

[Anonymous]

OP do you have any other symptoms?

[Anonymous]

Why, yes. Yes, you should.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me and it was C diff. I had loose stools, but felt totally fine otherwise. Definitely get checked out. They will likely ask you to give a stool sample, so prepare for that.

[Anonymous]

ive had it my entire life...60 now and healthy

[Anonymous]

Any intestinal discomfort? A whole lot of people develop lactose intolerance when they get older. You could simply eliminate dairy for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

My first question would be do I need a colonoscopy as stool changes can be a warning sign of colon cancer. Not saying you have it. I’m saying if it were me, I would start there to rule it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any intestinal discomfort? A whole lot of people develop lactose intolerance when they get older. You could simply eliminate dairy for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference.

Yep - that's what it was, in my case. I experienced similar to OP. My GP ran a battery of blood tests, including celiac, bacterial infection, and parasites. I got referred to an allergist, who did an allergy panel - came up that I was allergic to certain trees (which I already knew), but nothing else out of the ordinary. The allergist brought up the possibility of lactose intolerance, and advised gradually eliminating dairy. That worked; I drastically cut back on dairy, and the GI problems/loose bowel movements totally disappeared.

Hoping you find the cause soon, OP.

[Anonymous]

Define loose - like diarrhea (7) or just mushy blobs (5)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Define loose - like diarrhea (7) or just mushy blobs (5)?

Different pp, but 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Define loose - like diarrhea (7) or just mushy blobs (5)?

Different pp, but 5.

That isn't that weird and it's not diarrhea. Up your fiber and water intake.

[Anonymous]

Try a low fodmap diet

[Anonymous]

That’s a long time to go to the bathroom.