1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Flat Stools

Posted , 2 users are following.

undisclosed
undisclosed

Ive been told I think with my gut. I'm 37 years old and had inconsistency ibs-m since age 18 or so. My stools are mostly on the loose side, mucous, gas bloating, but sometimes constipated for no more than a 32 hours.

In the last couple of years I've made my problem worse by drinking 2-3 beers twice a week. ive ignored my bowel habits for the most part attributed it to ibs and beer. During this time Ive noticed a flattened in diameter stool here and there but paid little attention to it. Figured it was caused by squeezing along with the ibs

About 9 months ago, I had itching for a few month's. I self treated with a steroid cream and it went away then a short time later I had one incident of blood on toilet paper. I immediately went to GP and she said definitely sounds like hemmorhoids but when she checked she only found scar tissue right outside. I told her the bleeding seemed to come from right outside so maybe a fissure. She had me continue steroid treatment and I havent had another incident. However, ive been closely monitoring my stools and noticed they consistently range with some degree of flatness.

I've quit drinking my daily cup of coffee, drinking beer, increased supplements, daily pro and pre biotic, aloe vera mixtures, you name it. Ive been watching my diet and overall my gut feels healthier than ever but my anus feels swollen with a pain only noticeable because I'm paying attention to it after passing a stool. No master what I'm trying it still comes out flat and sometimes when squeezing it feels like the end is being pushed to the left.

ive googled symptoms and dreadfully worried about cancerous growths blocking the stool in the rectum. I have an hmo so its taking a long time to see the gastro doctor. I'm scheduled to see next month.

Anyone else with a similar experience? Is this just my body tensing up from stress and ibs related? Any advise?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 undisclosed

    Posted

    Flat stools can be part of the bowel habit change associated with IBS; a lot of people talk about this. Stools come in all shapes, sizes and consistencies with Irritable bowel. Try not to think about your symptoms because this will cause anxiety which will lead to more flare ups. Staying as calm as possible will help to control your IBS. This is your main line of defense. Try distraction techniques such as a hobby or light exercise.It works for my IBS. At its height, my panic was severe and my symptoms were at their worst. Once I got diagnosed, my anxiety left me and my symptoms vastly improved. Stop the solutions you are trying since they are not working and concentrate on reducing your stress levels. Tty to accept your latest bowel habit change; acceptance really helped me. New symptoms can be frightening at first, but IBS can change over time. This is normal. Try a stool softener or lots of fruit to make your stools easier to pass so you don't have to squeeze and strain too much which can cause haemorrhoids or fissures.

    What is an HMO?

    • undisclosed
      undisclosed pippa58442

      Posted

      Sorry an HMO is a referral based health insurance program in the States. Cheaper but everything requires pre-approval within a selected network which causes delays.

      Thanks for the reassurance. I think the only thing that will bring me peace of mind are the tests that will reveal whats going on but my mind is certainly wondering and plagued with worry in the meantime.

      When I back off on some of the regimens it seems to cause constipation and flatter stools. I'm experimenting with different things with too many variables.

      things I feel are working

      • herbal prebiotics (includes lactase) with every meal
      • kifir for breakfast, starts with constipation but after a few days seems to help. This seems to be the only probiotics that have an effect
      • avoiding alcohol

      I dont know if psyllium husk, chia seeds, and other fiber supplements are helping or making things worse.

      I bought some witch hazel to see if that helps with any inflammation that might be there.

      I will be sure to update thread as things unravel.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 undisclosed

      Posted

      I wouldn't try a lot of things at once because you won't know what is working and what is not. You maybe trying too many things.Only concentrate on the things that you know are helping one thing at a time.You will be able to tell if your fibre supplements are helping or making things worse. If your symptoms are improving, then you will know that the supplements are working. If you feel worse after taking them, you will know they don't.

      Thanks foe explaining HMO. I'm in the UK and our health service is very different but not very good.

  • undisclosed
    undisclosed

    Posted

    I just got back from GI doctor and after answering a few questions, he said that based on my symptoms I'm at average risk for colon cancer so he ordered a colonoscopy. We didn't go into any detail of my symptoms in the 5 minutes that we spoke so I'm taking his statement with a grain of salt. However, I agree that its best to stop guessing and take a look. He said the flat stools could be caused by inflammation IBD or just contractions from the IBS.

    Ironically, I examined my last two stools leading up to the appointment and they were nicely formed and didn't appear flattened at all. Today, it's back to its ibs inconsistency so I couldn't really tell.

    Since my last post, I stopped overwhelming myself with the elimination diet, supplements, and examining stools everyday.

    Things I'm still doing:

    1. taking breaks and walking more
    2. limiting coffee/alcohol
    3. an occasional supplement
    4. aloe vera juice mixed with water at dinner
    5. watching what I eat

    I will continue to post once the colonoscopy is performed and results come back.

  • undisclosed
    undisclosed

    Posted

    I just got back from colonoscopy and happy to report I am cancer free. No polyps, no IBD, but just some internal hemorrhoids. Doctor did scrape the lining along the colon just incase to look for precancerous tissue but everything looked great.

    This has been a 2-3 month ordeal and I finally got my peace of mind!

    The prep was terrible. It tasted and felt like I was drinking toilet cleaner or cyanide the night before. No pain or discomfort from the bowel movements during the process but you have to be careful how you wipe since you're on the toilet for hours. The actual procedure was smooth and painless, I woke up a little groggy but as if nothing happened.

    I am next going to treat my anxiety and continue managing my IBS through diet and exercising. I downloaded a fitness app and found it interesting to see how inactive my typical day would be if I didn't get up, move, and walk around. Sitting for too long I'm certain led to my hemorrhoids.

    Best of luck to you IBS sufferers. It's hard but keep pushing through!

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.