small white balls in stool

[cl1972]

I've just found this site and what a joy to know I'm not the only person who seems to be suffering from this weird and irritating condition.  I first noticed these balls (about the size of small pin head to the larger coloured pin heads) around six years ago!!  I had recently had my son and had started to take Venlafaxine again after a break during pregnancy.  I saw my doctor who said it was probably nothing to worry about, in fact I don't think he really believed me.  This prompted me to collect some samples to show him the next week.  I easily filled a little urine specimen vial with about 50 of these little balls (which considering each motion was laden throughout with them, was an extremely easy task!!) and deposited a fresh stool in a sample vial also.  My doctor duely sent them off for analysis and I waited patiently for the results.  When I went to collect the verdict, it was that my stool contained no parasites and the little balls were considered to be undigested food!!  This made me so angry as I eat nothing that resembles these things so how could they be food??  Each time I wipe myself, I can feel them scrape against my skin, it is an embarassing and uncomfortable condition.  It would appear that I have a few things in common with those of you that suffer also; a touch of IBS, food intolerances, changable stools, medication, bloating and cramps.  This has to be more than what I've been told, I've recently found out about Giardiasis and it looks promising but for the length of time I've suffered... Please, please, please, if anyone out there has found out further information on this subject, please post it for me to read!! x


This discussion is related to Small white specs in stool.....

[MaryMack347]

Absolutely insane that I found this thread...I've been hatching the same problem recently and am also taking Effexor XR!!  I won't worry myself about this any longer!  

[Faithhopecharity]

I know you posted this in 2010 but I do hope you read this.  I too am wondering what this is.  Although it sounds your case may be a bit more severe but I am in the same boat and wanted to tell you that I am also taking Venlafaxine!!  That seems too much of a coincidence.  If you do read this it would be great to talk, maybe we can swap info.  Thank you!

[carolinefyffe]

You are not the only one. I also take venlafaxine ER 150 ml, and have the little white balls. We are losing a lot , if not all, of our medication. I switched to the tablets and pooped out the whole pill. Now I cut it in half and scrape the coating of with a knife, Real drag...need help bad.

[AllForOneAndOneForAll]

Not sure what it is in my case either. But yes, small white balls, different sizes, typically smooth in appearance. In my case things happened like this. I was in a different city when at some point I started feeling very weak, like having problems to stand up, especially after eating. This lasted for several weeks until I started taking some medicine known as good for allergies (Quercetin, Bromelain, MSM, Vitamin C) followed by some probiotics - after 2 weeks. Now.. after taking these medicines my symptoms not only that stopped but I was feeling better than ever. Those balls started to come out when I started taking the medicine. Now, months later, although I don't feel as bad as then, I still have some symptoms so I'll try to re-follow the above-mentioned treatment and see how it goes. When this issue first started, I tested my active B12 and ferritin levels, B12 was below minimum and ferritin was also very low, slightly above minimum. I had a comprehensive bowel test. I have higher-than-normal: Streptococcus & Clostridium spp, and lower-than-normal: E.coli (the good strain!). Apparently my digestion and bile is very good. They didn't find a parasitic infection, but I believe that's not always easy to detect. My tests showed some potential issues: SIBO, lactose intolerance, Clostridium A/B (not tested yet to see whether I have difficile - though I doubt it). I'll start again with my initial treatment and then try Mutaflor probiotics as I've heard it is very potent. Hope that someone finds this useful.

[AllForOneAndOneForAll]

Not sure what it is in my case either. But yes, small white balls, different sizes, typically smooth in appearance. In my case things happened like this. I was in a different city when at some point I started feeling very weak, like having problems to stand up, especially after eating. This lasted for several weeks until I started taking some medicine known as good for allergies (Quercetin, Bromelain, MSM, Vitamin C) followed by some probiotics - after 2 weeks. Now.. after taking these medicines my symptoms not only that stopped but I was feeling better than ever. Those balls started to come out when I started taking the medicine. Now, months later, although I don't feel as bad as then, I still have some symptoms so I'll try to re-follow the above-mentioned treatment and see how it goes. When this issue first started, I tested my active B12 and ferritin levels, B12 was below minimum and ferritin was also very low, slightly above minimum. I had a comprehensive bowel test. I have higher-than-normal: Streptococcus & Clostridium spp, and lower-than-normal: E.coli (the good strain!). Apparently my digestion and bile is very good. They didn't find a parasitic infection, but I believe that's not always easy to detect. My tests showed some potential issues: SIBO, lactose intolerance, Clostridium A/B (not tested yet to see whether I have difficile - though I doubt it). I'll start again with my initial treatment and then try Mutaflor probiotics as I've heard it is very potent. Hope that someone finds this useful.

[AllForOneAndOneForAll]

PS: I'm not on any other medicine right now and I wasn't on any medicine when this started.

[Jackster15]

I have been experiencing the same things and I ran across this site:

http://www.news-medical.net/drugs/Efexor-XR.aspx

Do not be concerned if you see small white granules or balls in your stools after taking Efexor-XR.
Inside Efexor-XR capsules are spheroids or small white balls that contain the venlafaxine active ingredient. These spheroids are released from the capsule into your gastrointestinal tract. As the spheroids travel the length of your gastrointestinal tract, venlafaxine is slowly released. The spheroid 'shell' remains undissolved and is eliminated in your stools. Therefore, even though, you may see spheroids in your stools, your dose of venlafaxine has been absorbed.

[msambitious73]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! It makes total sense, as I do take Efexor XR! Whew! So glad I am not having to call the Dr again. Just had a colonoscopy @42 with 2 polyps removed. My mind will be at ease, now. (Also, being the weekend, I don't know why I just realized after quite some time.)

[Smnthann11]

I've been on venlafaxine for over a year now and have had diarrhea for about 9 days. I noticed the tiny white balls this morning and was certain I had a parasite. Thankfully I came across this post. Side note; I too drink a lot of sports drinks. Peculiar. I think I'll just have some dry toast and imodium and hope for the best. Lol

[Damiane]

I read somewhere that these little white balls can be from drinking too many sports drinks which I do. I think it's a build up of casein in the intestines that balls up as it moved through. I quit drinking them and it stopped, I started drinking them again and it came back. However, I am also on venlafaxine. Interesting...