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Bloating and Flat Stools

Posted , 6 users are following.

JaseInSpace
JaseInSpace

Hey all,

I was curious if any of you experience the same symptoms as me and might know what's causing the problem and how to remedy it.

For the last few years I've been having flat (or inconsistent), sometimes pale-brown, stools that are always broken up into many pieces. I don't usually have a lot of difficulty passing the stools except at the end of a BM where it feels like the last little bit won't come out. I've  not had a well-formed "log" that left me satisfied in a long time. The incompleteness leaves me with some discomfort and the slight urge that I need to have another BM all throughout the day. Discomfort is most noticeable shortly after eating a meal and is located primarily in my lower abdomen and in my rectum. Accompanying that discomfort is me being more sensitive to touch, like when the wind brushes against the hairs on my body it's super annoying. As well as that I'll jiggle my leg a lot because I'm irritated by the incomplete feeling. On occasion I'll need to go to the toilet just minutes after eating, or even when I'm only half way through my meal! I'll often try to "stimulate" a motion while alone in my room  so I can just go to the toilet to get it over with and somewhat relieve the discomfort. I also feel bloated and "tight" or full all day, my belly never feels flat anymore and I can sometimes hear/feel trapped gas moving around inside.

I've also noticed that when I have my BM I tend to open and close my anus rather than push in one motion if that makes sense - I think that's because the stools are broken, it doesn't come out in one go. Just lately I've also been experiencing some pain in my abdomen and lower back in the morning which is relieved after a trip to the loo - it seems to only occur if I eat before bed though.

I'm sick of having this problem and spending so much time sitting on the toilet or having to go 3-4 times a day, and being afraid to eat because of the discomfort I'll experience shortly after. I'm going to Europe with my family in 3 months and I can't even be excited for it because I'm worried about my bowel function and toilet access when I get over there. It's ridiculous! I've been to see a specialist and I've had tests done that will find out if I have celiac or inflammation which I'm waiting on the results for. It's stressing me out though - all the waiting and hoping I'll be cured before I go away. I've tried probiotics, fibre supplements and various other things with little or no results. Can anyone help me?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • paul75665
    paul75665 JaseInSpace

    Posted

    Hi Jase

    Your problems sound identical to mine, and I was diagnosed with IBS about a year ago, even though I do dispute the diagnosis. Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for you I'm afraid. I'm still going through the FODMAP diet with the help of a dietician, which should alleviate my symptoms, however after 6 weeks being on it, still no improvement. My dietician seems to think this has been a good tool for me as it has shown that fermentable carbohydrates are not likely to be the cause of my bloating, abdominal pains and other symptoms I get.

    Did you have any illness, or were you prescribed any medication prior to getting these symptoms? Do you need to burp or fart a lot? Do you get nausea?

    My BMs are frequently flat or pencil type stools, they are almost always light in colour, they look fluffy, and they break up in the toilet bowl water, and I'm pretty sure there is what looks like undigested or partially undigested food present. I sometimes have traces of blood present on the toilet paper when I wipe. I also have the same problem as you in the fact that my anus doesn't like to stay open when having a BM, so it can come out in one go. It seems to open and close whilst going, and I also have the feeling of having incomplete BMs. My stomach and bowels are always making noises, and always feel very bloated and tight, which does bring on bouts of pain and nausea.

    I've had Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, numerous blood and stool tests with all results being fine. My heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure are always ok when checked, even throughout a severe flare up. The only thing ever found were polyps, that were removed and tested for cancer, but came back completely benign, and I have a very long and mobile sigmoid colon.

    I can't tell you that you definitely have IBS, as there could be numerous causes for your problems. But you should get in to see your doctor and get the investigation into your symptoms underway as soon as you can, as it can take ages for all the treatment and investigations to be done to give you a diagnosis.

    I wish you all the best in the future, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I can't work at the moment due to these problems so have plenty of time on my hands. One other word of advice, try not to google your symptoms, it'll leave you more lost, confused and worried about whats going on, and people only seem to put horror stories on the net. I'm sure for every bad story you read, there are thousands that are good, its just no one seems to put the good stories on for all to see.

    Good luck.

    • JaseInSpace
      JaseInSpace paul75665

      Posted

      I didn't have any illness however I was prescribed an antidepressent (Citalopram) a long time ago that I took on and off for years until recently. I actually suspected the pills being responsible for my symptoms and changed to lexapro a few months ago. Both of them seemingly make my discomfort worse and I decided to stop taking antidepressants altogether but it hasn't made all that much of a difference. I've also been a daily drinker for years and I'm just now taking steps to go sober in the hope that will give me some relief. I don't get any nausea but I do burp and fart quite a lot.

      I've noticed I get undigested food in my stool too but apparently that's normal for insoluble fiber like tomatoes, nuts, leafy greens ect. All of which I spot in my stool sometimes. I also get traces of blood on the paper when I wipe like you. Are you like me in that when you have the incomplete feeling it's uncomfortable and almost like your rectum is sensitive to the stool being in there pushing against it? Do you feel irritated or sensitive to touch allover your body as a result? I fortunately don't get pain or nausea, at least rarely, which might be because I smoke cannabis farely often.

      I saw my specialist just the other day and my blood tests and stool sample results were negative. He gave me the diagnosis of ibs and now I'm to see a dietician too.

  • threena58977
    threena58977 JaseInSpace

    Posted

    hi jaseinSapce, i hope by this time you have already felt relief... nature has tha answer Jase, papaya, cardamom, fennel, aloe, and wormwood tree.... pm me for more... Just was thinking though, do you have any problems with muscle control..the digestive system works by being innervated by the autonomic nervous system and mostly the movement is brought about by the smooth muscles, peristalsis. And that rectum which cuts out the poop is partly voluntary and lbe controlled... if you have problems with muscle control,this might be causing your uncomfortable feeling... however I strongly believe that the herbs I listed can really  give you fast relief and you'll get rid of that anxious feeling when you travel..have a happy vacaysmile
  • sam80427
    sam80427 JaseInSpace

    Posted

    Hi Jaseln,

    Wondering if you had any luck with your symptoms.

    All you mentioned I am going through as well.

    I have done all tests colonoscopy, endoscopy, abdominal CT but no clue.

    Flat stool, loose, abdominal discomfort, rectal pain are main symptoms.

    Flat stool I believe is due to messed up autonomic function of anus (internal sphincter). Not opening in circular and u have to push out and hence controlling thru external sphincter.

    Would appreciate ur update !

  • bertberry
    bertberry JaseInSpace

    Posted

    This is nearly identical to my symptoms.  Has anyone found anything that relieves the symptoms?  I have found that coffee makes it much worse, so I have stopped drinking it.
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