Question: My symptoms started about 3 weeks after my daughters stomach bug and around 1 week to 10 days after my wife came down with stomach issues. I have several questions The illness was weird, none of our family had fever or nausea but lots of gas and urge to go but not normal diareaha, stools have been a little loose and varying. The thing we all noticed was at onset of illness when wiping it was like wiping KY off yourself( very gel like). Daughter who is 8 tried to pass gas at school and she had an accident. Daughter seemed to have bowel issues for 2-3 weeks. My wife's bowels stayed messed up for 2-3 maybe 4 weeks. She took imodium for about 10 days during her time dealing with it. She had times since then where she thought it was back for a few days but it would seem to resolve again. well about myself. I haven't totally returned to normal and it's been 4.5 weeks My symptoms are like theirs but I notice a residue in the toilet. It's not visible without a flashlight at the right angle and it is a very thin "see-through" film on areas of the toilet water varying from 1/16 - 1/2 of the surface area of the water. Asked wife and daughter about it and everyone just laughed and said they don't look at their BM and definitely not under light. While my symptoms wax and wane, I do have an internal hemorrhoid that this stuff flared up and the constant urge to go is uncomfortable and annoying and I think it makes me feel worse over all( preparation H has helped a lot). My bowels haven't gotten back to normal. The gobs of mucus has reduced to nothing but I still notice a slight residue on the top of the water when I go. I went to the doctor locally at around 2-3 weeks on and had a fecal blood test that came out negative and was told the film was mucus and not to worry that it could be the hemorrhoid too. Do people get stuff like this? How long should I wait for it to reside? Trying to get a little info as I have never had a stomach bug like this nor has my wife. My wife does say she feels back to normal and has for about 10 days. Daughter has been fine for about 3 weeks. Wife is out of town and i'm alone with the kids. Want to make sure nothing sounds urgent. I don't want to keep paying hundreds of dollars at the doctors office if it's unneccesary. No fever, no diarehea, I am treated for gerd, gastritis, back pain L4-5 L-5-S1 disc issues, and anxiety. I take dexilant, carafate, norco as needed, clonazepam as needed. Have taken all these drugs for years. Last colonoscopy and endoscopy around 1.5 to 2 years ago. Last blood work up around 90 days ago. Have recently started align. I'm all ears. Thanks

I have already been to one. I guess you missed the fecal occult test and hemorrhoid info of my message. I live in United States and middle income family. Food poisoning with gaps over a 3-4 week period of onset between 3 persons? Time between daughter and myself illness onset was 3-4 weeks gap? If it is food borne bacteria and just takes time to resolve on its own I would like to ride it out, as I have no health insurance. Other than some bowel fluctuations that irritate my hemorrhoid( no diarrhea) and a bit of a lessened appetite I'm not feeling ill. Like I said the most annoying symptom is the hemorrhoid. If nothing sounds alarming and sounds like something that with time will resolve on its own I'd prefer that. What are your thoughts?

Sorry if that seemed rude, not my intention. Simply thought you might have missed it. The gastro said an irritated intestine from a "bug" could cause the mucus as also an inflamed XXXXXXX hemorrhoid could create extra mucus. I was concerned that the film was fat or oil floating on water but again my gastro said no and thought it was just more of the same mucus. I'm no doctor so I'm ignorant of what can cause what. I also wondered if dealing with a long history of gastritis and Reflux could contribute to the longer duration in time to get back to normal in comparison to my wife and daughter. I also wondered if gastritis or this "bug" could lessen your appetite a little? I am eating every day just don't feel 100%. No nausea or anything. I was just normally ready to eat at the end of every day before this hit. Now I just feel kind of disinterested around dinner time. I also wondered if my anxiety about this could be affecting my appetite and bowels. I have pretty significant health anxiety and have for years. Because of my stomach issues I have a endo/ colonoscopy about every 2-3 years all of which never showed anything except for intermittent mild gastritis and a hemorrhoid.My gastro says 2-3 years is beyond sufficient to stay on top of my issues. Like I said because I lost my job a few years back I lost insurance coverage which makes testing very expensive now. So, I'm trying to stay vigilant about my health but don't have the luxury of being obsessive about constant testing with every bowel pain or change. Again, you have been very helpful and sorry if there was any misunderstanding.