Hi, I'm 27. My doctor has diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation. I have been taking Zelnorm since last Wednesday. I still feel all the symptoms I've described to my doctor by it doesn't address the fece odor problem. During the morning I don't smell like feces but by the end of the day I do. My anus does not feel wet so I'm not sure if it is feces incontinence. I just want to get rid of the odor.

Some history, I've had internal hemorrhoids for over a year now and it has not gone away. It doesn't seem to bother me but should it have gone away? My biggest concern is whenever I have a bowel movement the lip of hte anus flips out and will not return without some help. My doctor has asked me to demonstrate by putting pressure on it but it doesn't come out unless I need to go. I think it is a weaken of the sphicter muscle but I'm not sure.

Can anyone help me? I will be seeing my doctor in two weeks for a follow-up to double check the condition of my IBS with C.

That is very interesting !! What symptoms do you have for your Doctor to Diagnose you with IBS. And what about your constipation???

Thanks

I know lactose intolerance causes some very foul smelling gas. I also know it is possible to release small amounts of gas throughout the day and not even realize it. This could be causing the odor you are smelling.

Is it possible you could be lactose intolerant on top of having IBS?

Perhaps you could try taking lactaid or Dairy-Ease and see if this helps the odor.

If you've already tried/considered this and it isn't the case, then I would ask your doctor about it.

Hi Harry,

Thanks for looking into my questions. I really appreciate the help.

I mentioned to my doctor that I have been having these symptoms for the past 2 years:

- Constipation (I've always had this)
- Pain in my sides (Usually the left side which is usually relieved after a bowel movement)
- Bloating and gas
- Pain in the pelvic area (mainly near the anus)

Constipation -- very few people are born with constipation. As you know constipation is having difficulty moving stool or in frequent passing food that has become hard and dry through or slowly through the colon or large intestines.
Constipation occurs in most cases because a person does not intake enough fiber and fluids in their diet. A person needs 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily for their intestines to function properly.
There is no fiber in meats, seafood and dairy product. Fiber is in veggies, fruits and grains. There are basically 2 types of fiber--- soluble fiber absorbs fluid and becames sorta soft and helps soften the stool. Insoluble fiber does not absorb fluid and remains unchanged but adds bulk to the stool making it easier to pass.

There are other things that can cause costipation --like lack of exercise, poor diets, including too much junk food, muscle disorders, pain killers and other drugs. Too much of some minerals can also cause constipation-- like too much iron or calcium.

Having regular BMs is important because constipation can lead to many problems including body odor, depression, fatique, gas, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis as well as others including leading to colon cancer.

I am a big believer in taking a water soluble fiber supplement daily like psyllium like Equate from Wal Mart. Flaxseed oil or groud flaxseeds help to soften stools. Also make sure you drink enough water daily.

The good friendly bacteria in your intestines may be out of balance causing your digestion to not be right. Eating yogurt with extra live active cultures will help re-balance your intestinal bacteria. Some good brands have 4 or 6 extra types added. My favorite is Stonyfield Farm -- it contains L.reuteri that is excellent. You may want to read about the benifits of this bacteria culture on it's web site---www.reuteri.com---

Also, you can buy L.Reuteri online. L.acidophilus is also important but almost all yogurts add that to their products. I also take a probiotic supplement when I need it just to make sure the friend bacteria stays that way ---- bloating and Gas is caused by the friendly bacteria being out of balance!!

If your digestion is good and you are having regular BMs then your stools will not have a real offensive odor. You may need to take a digestive enzyme to help--- I use Enzymall by Schiff with every meal and I don't eat much red meat or pork.

The pain in your left side is in the sigmoid colon area and is the area that usually gets diveraticulars in it---So it's important to never get allow yourself to become constipated. Because I have had this problem and I had to have that part of by colon removed (2 1/2 feet) 2 years ago. I assure you it changes your life.

I believe health begins in the intestines. If you desire a healthy normal life --- you have to do everything that make it healthy.

God Bless---Harry

PS -- Your symptoms don't sound like IBS to me.
Read the thread at the top of this Board about the ROME Criteria for IBS. Doctors use this alot when the symptoms don't fit???

Thank you for you reply Harry.

I will read the Board about the ROME Criteria for IBS and relay this to my doctor. In the mean time, I'll look fo rhte following items you mentioned to help me regulate my digestive system.

Thanks again!

Thank you for you reply Harry.

I will read the Board about the ROME Criteria for IBS and relay this to my doctor. In the mean time, I'll look fo rhte following items you mentioned to help me regulate my digestive system.

Thanks again!

I forgot to mention that I also felt like i had not completely finished after a bowel movement and the abdominal pain usually went away after a BM. Althought the pain comes back the next day, everyday.

I know lactose intolerance causes some very foul smelling gas. I also know it is possible to release small amounts of gas throughout the day and not even realize it. This could be causing the odor you are smelling.

Is it possible you could be lactose intolerant on top of having IBS?

Perhaps you could try taking lactaid or Dairy-Ease and see if this helps the odor.

If you've already tried/considered this and it isn't the case, then I would ask your doctor about it.

I totally agree, I had a ton of problems the doctors couldnt figure out from bloating, the runs, constipation and even bleeding. It turned out to be lactose intolerance, I cut the milk and everything went back to normal.