# Guess my medical problem (TMI) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 10, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623 "2009-01-10T02:18:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/1 "2009-01-10T02:18:27Z")
I have an appointment with a competent doctor in March, this ain’t that big of a deal, but I’d like some ideas about horrible conditions to obsess about in the meantime. Symptoms are (here comes the TMI) for the last year : Any food I don’t cook myself frequently (but not predictably) rapidly makes me poop green liquid. As in Army Green not-quite-explosive diarrhea. No nausea, no pain, just urgent, green, runny, poop. Didn’t cook myself means fast food restaurants, slow food restaurants, grocery-store premade meals, and TV dinner-type meals. I’ve kept a food diary for 154 days. The only reliably common prepared-by-someone-else non-green-poo foods seem to be very high protein, non-egg, low carb, veg with no sauce, non sweet or extremely low-fat vegan meals. Prepared by me, no evil green poo, except Eggs Benedict, exactly once, eight days ago, but not yesterday. :rolleyes: I am lactose intolerent, but scarf 3 Ultra-Lactaid before the first bite of the slightest possibility of a dairy based ingredient. I’m pretty sure I don’t have Ebola, or prostate cancer, or FLV. So, Dopers, what else might I have? I got a toomah, don’t I? (Mods, really, I’m bored and curious as to the possibilities, and know better than to worry about an online Dx. If it _is_ ebola, it aint The Readers fault.) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/2 "2009-01-10T02:45:20Z")
It’s lupus. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/3 "2009-01-10T03:12:08Z")
It’s never lupus! My random \*tipsy \*WAG: I say green = discoloration for some reason. Either something causing you to poop green, or you’re causing your self to poop green. Ergo, Vis-a-vis (vie? dunno) if you are doing it- I’d say it’s gotta be some sorta biliary problem. Bile is green- perhaps you’re overproducing bile? As that’s the only “green” thing I can think of in your body… But dunno. But I’d say liver/bile issues then. If it’s something ELSE causing you to poo green, It could be bacterial- ie: you’ve got something in your colon changing the poop to green or such. If you’ve got runny poo, that could also be indicative of such a hypothesis- though it’s probably not cholera (my favorite target for Diarrhea- as that’s its survival mechanism- you poo quick and fast for that.) So yeah, bacterial is a choice or if it’s something else still, it could be enviormental- perhaps a buildup of dye in your stomach that is being released at the same time? Like if you’ve drank a lot of food coloring and it wasn’t absorbed by you (absorption issues could be present), but that doesn’t account for the runniness, unless there was some chemical in the dye that would cause such a reaction. So those are my 2 guesses on external factors. As for Rx? I have no clue. Go see a doctor? Or if there’s no pain or discomfort or rash, give it a while, and see if it goes away? :shrug: No clue on that part. You’ve been keeping a food diary- I’d get more scientific about it if i were in your shoes. Like try to see if i can keep a mealplan that involves no green poo. And then I’d add items one by one, to see if it does cause green. And then see what happens. then I’d have a list of foods that I couldn’t eat cause they’d make me poo green. And if that’s a list I can’t give up, I’d go see a doctor and ask him why can’t I eat said foods, and is there anything I can do about it. ---
**Author:** ![incidental](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/22d042/32.png) [@incidental](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/incidental)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/4 "2009-01-10T04:44:36Z")
A food diary for 154 days? Man, I have no idea why you have green poo, but bravo. That’s some strong work right there - bring it with you of course. That’s terribly impressive, and my Mom works in GI. If I were your doc, I’d think “whoa, this person is serious about figuring out this diarrhea issue.” I’ve never heard of liver/gallbladder problems manifesting with their primary symptom as discolored poo, or at least not bright green. I usually think clay-colored or grey stool, but that’s a blockage. Of course, my experience with this stuff is very limited. Yeah…I got nothing. It seems like an awfully long time course for something bacterial too. Usually viral/bacterial diarrhea will self-resolve. If this has been going on for 154 days, it’s now a chronic problem. When you eat out, are you eating at the same places over and over again? Any chance you could be picking up a virus/bacteria from the same place? Anyone else eating with you have similar symptoms? If the answer is no, I’d also be a lot less certain of bacterial/viral causes. Any antibiotic use associated with this? Huh, maybe a really weird presentation of IBD? Man, go see your doc and report back! I’m now curious. And stumped. ---
**Author:** ![Picard\_Kills\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Picard\_Kills\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Picard_Kills_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/5 "2009-01-10T04:45:46Z")
If it is not lupus, its got to be auto-immune. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/6 "2009-01-10T05:31:29Z")
Have you considered gluten intolerance? Colour of diarrhea is entirely in the eye of the beholder, i.e. subjective. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/7 "2009-01-10T05:34:18Z")
Just curious–why do you hae a doctor’s appointment in March (as opposed to Monday or two months ago)? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/8 "2009-01-10T07:29:09Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Just curious–why do you hae a doctor’s appointment in March (as opposed to Monday or two months ago)? My guess is she’s seeing a specialist. A two month wait is not an uncommon length of time to wait to see a specialist. Outrageous, yes. Surprising, no. Having my own serious stomach issues right now, I sympathize. Unfortunately the symptoms you are having are typical of any number of stomach ailments–I know, because my own attempt to web diagnose myself was futile. I hope you feel better soon. ---
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/9 "2009-01-10T08:15:47Z")
Anxiety. One bad experience with non-familiar food breeds more anxiety, which stimulates the digestive tract, causing more diarrhea, confirming your anxiety. (This is not a real diagnosis (IANAD), but since you’re looking for something to stress about, I give you more stress! You can thank me later.) ETA: In all seriousness, I occasionally get feedback loops like this going on, although the amount of green in the poop is not consistent. I have been diagnosed with IBS, and it gets much worse with stress. However, I also don’t keep myself to a rigid diet; eating a lot of the same thing might keep poop the same color. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/10 "2009-01-10T08:57:18Z")
> [@MadPansy64](#): > > So, Dopers, what else might I have? I got a toomah, don’t I? > > (Mods, really, I’m bored and curious as to the possibilities, and know better than to worry about an online Dx. If it _is_ ebola, it aint The Readers fault.) Allergy to a common food coloring or preservative maybe? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/11 "2009-01-10T11:34:07Z")
[Causes of Green stool:](http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/green_stool.htm) > [@](#): > > The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Green stool. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms. > > Salmonella - can cause greenish stool (usually diarrhea) > Giardia - can cause greenish stool (usually diarrhea) > Swallowed postnasal drip - ie. from an upper respiratory disorder > Intestinal disorder > Starvation stools - usually in children; green watery stool caused by being on a liquid diet for a few days (e.g. if ill) > See also dark stool, blood in stool, or stool color changes > Normal breast-fed baby > Gastroenteritis > Certain foods > Some cow milk formulas ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/12 "2009-01-10T11:58:52Z")
[MSG?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate)it’s in everything, but, AFAIK not connected to green poop. Also, does your diary tell you if things go wrong when you cook at another _place_ then your home, indepently of the food? ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/13 "2009-01-10T22:51:11Z")
\*\*Maastricht \*\* I use MSG (Accent) at home, so I doubt that’s it. I haven’t cooked any where but my home in several years, but I have moved three damn times in the last year. Different kitchens don’t seem to matter. **MoodIndigo1** I bake, and eat, a lot of bread. Doesn’t seem to be an issue. \*\*incidental \*\* The food diary started out as a regular diary a few years ago, but my life is quite boring, so it quickly morphed into a restaurant review and cookbook/menu journal. It’s reasonably complete for over three years, but I didn’t start noting the poo until last June. **MerryMagdalen** Anxiety wouldn’t surprise me at all, but it’s so _boring_. Thanks for trying! \*\* Rand Rover \*\* My appointment is in March, because my yearly check up is always in March. This is not an urgent issue, and my symptoms are easily avoided. If it gets worse, I’ll see my doctor sooner. For now, I’m just going to worry about having chronic salmonella. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/14 "2009-01-10T23:18:04Z")
If you are taking iron (some birth control pills now have iron in them) that would account for the colour. The loose stools (which aren’t caused by protein/low-fat foods, if I read you correctly) sound like gallbladder. It would be unusual for that to be your only symptom, but not unheard of, I am sure. But, and I don’t want to alarm you, it really does sound like _malifecalis verde_ – I really hope you have good insurance… :D;) ---
**Author:** ![incidental](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/22d042/32.png) [@incidental](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/incidental)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/15 "2009-01-10T23:52:39Z")
> [@Litoris](#): > > If you are taking iron (some birth control pills now have iron in them) that would account for the colour. The loose stools (which aren’t caused by protein/low-fat foods, if I read you correctly) sound like gallbladder. It would be unusual for that to be your only symptom, but not unheard of, I am sure. Doesn’t iron usually constipate people? Of course, the dosage in BCP may not be high enough. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/16 "2009-01-11T00:04:29Z")
Licorice can also make your poo look greenish. Eating out/prepared food almost always means significantly higher fat and salt levels than home-cooked food. That’s about all I got. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/17 "2009-01-11T00:08:33Z")
> [@Picard\_Kills\_Kirk](#): > > If it is not lupus, its got to be auto-immune. That’s assuming the OP is telling us everything. After all, everybody lies. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/18 "2009-01-11T00:16:26Z")
Sarcoidosis. Wait, no, paraneoplastic syndrome. Wait wait…_ideopathic_ faeces atrovirens! > [@ivylass](#): > > That’s assuming the OP is telling us everything. After all, everybody lies. Of course! It’s drugs. Can we search your house? ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/19 "2009-01-11T00:26:44Z")
> [@Litoris](#): > > But, and I don’t want to alarm you, it really does sound like _malifecalis verde_ – I really hope you have good insurance… That’s it! OMG! I’ll be in Medical Journals world-wide. Fame at last! Whoot! **Featherlou** Licorice is freaking nasty. I don’t eat licorice, fennel, anise, or any other thing that could be described as remotely licorice-y. \ If the only cure for _malifecalis verde_ is licorice, I’m a goner.😃 ---
**Author:** ![incidental](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/22d042/32.png) [@incidental](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/incidental)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623/20 "2009-01-11T00:29:26Z")
I did some digging and came up with this: [http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=4453](http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=4453) The fourth link in the list is a great summary of chronic diarrhea and it’s medical management. I’m still reading the article…I’m now voting either functional diarrhea or some kind of secretory diarrhea. Maybe there’s some preservative in ready-made food that’s triggering episodes of osmotic diarrhea? I don’t like the whole gallbladder thing, because it doesn’t make sense to me why restaurant fat would trigger an episode and home-cooked fat wouldn’t. People who have had their gallbladder removed can get secretory diarrhea - I’m just not sure why the OP would. Of course, it could be poison too. 🙂 Tell me…do you have any enemies? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-my-medical-problem-tmi/480623.md?page=2)