Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Constipation And Liquid Stools

Posted on Sun, 23 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 Answered on

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My primary care physician thinks I have IBS-D since I've been experiencing extreme bouts of both constipation and liquid stool for the past 6 months. I recently had a colonoscopy which did not show any polyps or other abnormalities. Recently, I have experienced a pain and liquid sounds coming from the upper left side of my abdomen and sharp pain above my abdomen which feels like gas. Both feeling occur after eating and often precipitate a bout of diarrhea which could last for an entire day. My husband who passed away 10 years ago was partially treated for Hep C with interferon over 14 years ago and subsequently died from lung cancer. I take Metformin for diabetes which is under control. I include this information as I have recently noted some symptoms of Hep C, as well as contra indications of Metformin might be contributing to my discomfort. I have started taking probiotics and have lost 20 pounds since XXXXXXX My doctor did not seem alarmed as I have been attempting to diet in order to get my A1C down, as well. What should I be doing or not doing to reassure myself about the Hep C (nothing negative has ever appeared on a liver function test but I haven't had one in many years) and deal with this seemingly endless struggle with my digestive system?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow. ..

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking on HCM!
I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows :
1. You are concerned about hepatitis C infection.
At this point I would suggest to do :
- anti-HCV serology test
- AST and ALt plus bilirubine
- abdominal ultrasound
to definitely rule out/confirm hepatitis C
2. With regards to your symptoms, I can say that your symptoms are not typical for hepatitis C infection.
To my opinion most probably your symptoms are related with :
- metphormine side effects
- IBS
- C.diff infection
This is why I would suggest to do fecal culture test to better evaluate about c.diff infection.
I would suggest too to discuss with your endocrinologyst about metformine, if it can be changed with another drug to avoid such side effects.
Hope it was helpful to you!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar