Strange White Object In Stool

[julirama723]

OK, TMI alert...

Yesterday after I went to the bathroom, I noticed a strange white blob in my stool. It was about the size of a small grape, whitish-grey, looked waxy, and actually had sort of a strand or tail or sprout-looking thing coming out of the top. It wasn't alive, whatever it was. I didn't feel courageous enough to dig it out of the toilet and dissect it, so I can't tell you if it was solid or squishy. It almost looked like something twisted up in saran wrap. And no, I didn't eat anything twisted up in saran wrap!

I double-checked what I consumed over the past few days. No corn, no beans, nothing that was a seed or a pod, no pills, no capsules, nothing remotely resembling that shape, size, or color.

I have not felt ill (like a virus, bacterial infection, or parasites) but I'm on a gluten challenge so I've been eating absolutely horribly glutenous foods for the past two weeks. I've also been eating dairy and grains which I had given up as well.

So what could it be? Any answers?

[Mother of Jibril]

Maybe a stone from your gallbladder, liver, or kidneys?

[julirama723]

Would passing a stone like that be painful? It wasn't really painful, but it did burn a little--but since I've been on the gluten challenge, basically all of my BMs have burned.

[ravenwoodglass]

Would passing a stone like that be painful? It wasn't really painful, but it did burn a little--but since I've been on the gluten challenge, basically all of my BMs have burned.

Usually passing a stone is VERY painful. I would not be unduly concerned about the mystery object. It may have been a bit of mucus, you are doing a challenge and your body may be trying to protect itself and excess mucous production would be one way. If you become severely ill with the challenge do make sure you let the doctor know. Some will diagnose based on the severity of the challenge reaction so don't keep him in the dark. Also your BM's burning are a real good indication that you were doing the right thing being gluten free. That is your mucous membranes reacting to the toxin. If you should break out in blisters you might want to visit a derm for a biopsy of the adjacent tissue. A DH diagnosis is a celiac diagnosis and that would allow you to cut your challenge off.

[julirama723]

Raven, thanks for your reply.

I've had mucus before, but this seemed more solid than that...but then again, it could very well be mucus, because like I said, basically every BM I've had since starting the challenge has burned.

Luckily I have an appointment on Wednesday, and I'll be discussing this with him. (I was just hoping that someone had some experience with this so I'm not totally clueless when I walk in his office. ) I'm also bringing my gluten challenge food log (in which I've tracked foods, resultant symptoms, and bowel movements, it's a thrilling read, let me tell you) and I hope that this will convince him that I really do have something going on.

As for the white mass, I guess it sort of looks like a lumpy pearl, if that description helps any. It seemed quite solid--it didn't disintegrate or change shape when I flushed.

I've never had anything that looks like DH. I'm prone to "chicken skin" (keratosis pilaris) on my arms, but I don't think that's related to this...

[ravenwoodglass]

Raven, thanks for your reply.

I've had mucus before, but this seemed more solid than that...but then again, it could very well be mucus, because like I said, basically every BM I've had since starting the challenge has burned.

Luckily I have an appointment on Wednesday, and I'll be discussing this with him. (I was just hoping that someone had some experience with this so I'm not totally clueless when I walk in his office. ) I'm also bringing my gluten challenge food log (in which I've tracked foods, resultant symptoms, and bowel movements, it's a thrilling read, let me tell you) and I hope that this will convince him that I really do have something going on.

As for the white mass, I guess it sort of looks like a lumpy pearl, if that description helps any. It seemed quite solid--it didn't disintegrate or change shape when I flushed.

I've never had anything that looks like DH. I'm prone to "chicken skin" (keratosis pilaris) on my arms, but I don't think that's related to this...

Glad to hear he is seeing you soon. If your still worried you might want to pick up a strainer or slotted spoon at a thrift of dollar store and keep it and a disposable plastic container near the toilet. That way if it happens again you can bring the unidentified object into the office.

The keratosis pilaris may very well be related. My DS had these on his chest all throughout his childhood and his doctor told us not to worry about them. Within a couple of months gluten-free the chicken skin effect was gone. Be sure to mention the burning bum to the doctor, if he is able and knowledgeable he may be able to biopsy that tissue. The antibodies can be found there. When they do a rectal mucous membrane challenge in other countries they are able to find the changes within 3 hours of insertion of the suppository. Not many US doctors know about this form of testing though. It is very sensitive and, as we know, in the US they don't want to diagnose until the end stages so this test is not routinely in use.

[debmidge]

I know you said no pills, but I have had this experience with

undigested vitamins.....poor quality vitamins have a coating which

does not breakdown upon ingestion and goes through intestinal

tract undigested - coming out as as white lumpy thing.

[julirama723]

Raven--that is very interesting about the KP! Now that you mention it, it did disappear when I eliminated grains from my diet for a few months, and slowly returned after I'd added them back in. It's not nearly as bad as it's been before, but now it's certainly the worst it's been in a long time.

I am definitely mentioning the burning BMs. That really frightened me--I've had that occasionally before, but not every single trip to the bathroom like the past couple of weeks have been! I will also ask about the rectal mucous membrane challenge, thanks!

debmidge--I have also had that but I have not been taking my supplements since I started the gluten challenge--I wanted to see what gluten really does to my body and to my nutrition. So no cheap vitamins there!

[Fumby]

On 25/11/2008 at 10:40 PM, debmidge said:

I know you said no pills, but I have had this experience with

undigested vitamins.....poor quality vitamins have a coating which

does not breakdown upon ingestion and goes through intestinal

tract undigested - coming out as as white lumpy thing.

Guys check your medication leaflet. Mine says ... 

Do not be concerned if you see small white granules or balls in your stools after taking Efexor-XR. Inside Efexor-XR capsules are spheroids or small white balls that contain the venlafaxine active ingredient. These spheroids are released from the capsule into your gastrointestinal tract. As the spheroids travel the length of your gastrointestinal tract, venlafaxine is slowly released. The spheroid 'shell' remains undissolved and is eliminated in your stools. Therefore, even though, you may see spheroids in your stools, your dose of venlafaxine has been absorbed.

...  I also did an experiment and put one pill over night in warm water and lemon juice. The result... That's exactly what I saw in the bowl. I'm so relieved that I'm not laying alien eggs!!