Dr. Richa Agarwal
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I have been having trouble with my bowels, experiencing diarrhea and constipation for about seven weeks now. I am going for a colonoscopy. I have been tested for celiac disease, which was negative, and my thyroid function is normal. I have also been tested for CA 125 tumor marker, CA 19-9, and CEA. All were within normal limits. And there has been no blood in the stool. I am worried about this, although my doctor has told me that bowel cancer does not have both constipation and diarrhea in many cases and usually presents with either constipation or diarrhea. My doctor has mentioned IBS, and I would like another opinion. Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have gone through your history and understand your concerns.
As per your description, it is most likely IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), but it is an autoimmune disease and difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it is better to go for a colonoscopy to rule out the cause.
I hope you found it useful. Feel free to ask for more information.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the response. Do you know if bowel cancer can present alternating with constipation and diarrhea?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, bowel cancer may present with diarrhea and constipation as well. But in your case there is no blood in the stool. Markers are fine. Therefore, the chances of bowel cancer are less.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the response.
Sorry, I meant to ask if you can have constipation some days and diarrhea on some days, like in IBS, where it alternates.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Generally, diarrhea and constipation are more common in both conditions of IBS and cancer on alternate days. But constipation is more common in cancer.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the response.
I would also like to point out that I had a rectal examination done, and everything was normal. On examination of my stomach, it was soft and firm. Are these positive signs that nothing sinister is going on? Can consistency of bowel movements occur in both IBS and cancer? For example, most of the time, I have large bowel movements, but there can be times that it is smaller, and on a few occasions, they are liquidy, and sometimes it is mushy. Somedays, I would only have one bowel movement, and on other days I could go three times.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thank you for the description. All these symptoms occur in IBS also and as all the test results are negative for cancer and examination are fine, the chances of cancer are not there in your case. So it could be irritable bowel syndrome only.
I hope you found this useful. Regards.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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