What Does Presence Of White Matter In Stool Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 21 Aug 2015

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

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What does stool that looks like white shredded kleenex mean?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A photo and the following info are needed...

Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,

1. Can you send a photo of your stool so I can see and evaluate its appearance myself?

2. Are you taking any medication on regular basis?

3. Do you follow a special diet or consume any food specially?

4. Are you having problems with bowel movements (constipation? loose stool? diarrhea?)

5. Any test (including stool testing or abdominal ultrasound) conducted so far?

Looking forward to have the requested info in!
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (4 minutes later)

I cannot get a picture, I already flushed it. I had the white shredded kleenex wad and then brown stool on top of it. I have been experiencing alot of diarrhea and nausea, headaches. My blood test has shown low potassium, low creatine and low CO2. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2013. Had chemo , radiation and proton therapy and have since shown no signs of the tumor spreading and they believe the tumor to be dead. I also have peripheral neuropathy

I am taking percocet, gabapentin and anti nausea medication as well

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible mucus due to inflammatory changes of bowels from chemo/radiation..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Sorry for the late reply due to XXXXXXX clinic work.

Now, based on your new data, the white shredded kleenex wad and then brown stool seem to be mucus. The changes in your bowel movement (bm) such as diarrhea can be a possible cause of changes in stool color and consistency.

However, as you had chemo, radiation and proton therapy, all these might have caused changes in your bowel mucosa (like inflammation induced by chemo and radiation).

If the diarrhea will not stop within a few days, then, should get stool examination and colonoscopy for further evaluation.

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana

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