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What can be the reason for passing stool with mucus and blood after eating raw cookie dough?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At January 18, 2023
Reviewed AtDecember 1, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 32-year-old male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weigh 250 lb. I am severely agoraphobic and have panic disorder. I am on Effexor, Lorazepam, Abilify, Diltiazem, and Levothyroxine. Around Christmas, I ate a lot of raw cookie dough, and hours later, I had bright red blood and mucus in my stool. In addition, my stomach hurt, and I had cramps. A few weeks later, my poop is still testing positive for blood via occult fecal tests. The blood is not visible to me, but the test picks it up (this has happened to me before, and I have had scope, and nothing was found). I have no weight loss, no stomach pains, not much gas, no full sensation, no family history of cancer, etc. My blood test just came back normal too. I spoke to two doctors who think it is my hemorrhoids, as I can feel them when I go to the bathroom. Also, it hurts to go to the bathroom with a burning sensation. I am very anxious and terrified about all this. Could I get an infection or irritation from eating so much raw cookie dough? I also have IBS, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures, which I think is the reason for my "flat" stools.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed your case history in detail and attached images (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) as well. You are on multiple medications related to your anxiety and panic attacks. You are overweight and have hypothyroidism on Thyroxine, so work on your weight as well as monitor your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels to determine whether your dose of Thyroxine is appropriate or not. You had raw cookie dough, which does not cause bleeding directly, but yes, with thick mucus, blood, and abdominal pain, this seems more like you got a gut infection or significant gut disturbances due to this. You had a similar past history, so next time, be careful. Have a balanced diet and take whatever you want but in an appropriate quantity. The stool occult blood test detects heme part of your hemoglobin in stools. It can be positive for a variety of reasons like gastrointestinal bleeding, use of oral iron supplements or tablets, meat intake before this test, or certain medicine like painkillers or simple medicines like Aspirin, etc. Occult blood will not be positive with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are at the distal-most end of your gut. Hemorrhoid bleeding is like fresh rectal bleeding. Considering your normal scope in the recent past, I suggest just monitoring your hemoglobin levels in the blood, taking proper precautions, and rechecking occult blood after a couple of days. Get yourself physically checked as well.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are welcome.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ghulam Fareed
Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Medical Gastroenterology

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