Hello,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.
Your case history and test reports are suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome only.
There is no need to worry.
Regarding the floating stool, it can occur when there is excess fat in stool or if there is excess gas.
Excess fat in stool can occur when there is fat malabsorption as in chronic pancreatitis or if the fat intake is more.
Excess gas can occur if the carbohydrate intake is high or if there is infection.
Get a stool test to rule out infection and estimate the stool fat content. If the test rules out infection and the stool fat is within normal range, there is no need to worry about the floating stool.
I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.
Patient replied :
Does it seem likely to have Chronic Pancreaitis? This week I have had quite a few floating stools. It is usually not completely floating, but a couple of pieces do float. This combined with constipation. Would you suggest a fecal fat test or scan of gallbladder etc? I have had a stool test to rule out infection by parasite, blood, or c. dif. All were negative. As well as colonoscopy and endoscopy. All negative.
Hi,
As I said earlier, floating stools are not always pathological.
If you have oily stools, then you may consider evaluation for pancreatitis.
You can start with a CT scan. If that is normal and if you are not losing weight or having any nutritional deficiency, then you can just ignore the floating stools.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.