Aright.. this has been going on about a year now.. it started when I'd have a bowel movement and feel like I wasn't finished.. then I started getting gas, and bloating and some mild discomfort.. then it got to the point where I'd think I was constipated, 'cause I'd sit down to have a bowel movement up to 6 or 7 times a day.. I'd sit on the toilet for up to an hour, and all it got me was hemmorhoids..
but then I figured it was all false alarms, either from gas or a bowel problem.. so I had a digital rectal exam and the doctor did some testing and said I'm fine.. he told me to take Metamucil and get back to him if I had any other problems.. I've yet to try the Metamucil..

and I was wondering if anyone had some insight for me.. about what exactly it is causing my constipation and making me run to the bathroom b4 I leave my house to enjoy my leisure time..

I'm 18 years old and never had any problems with my bowels up until a year ago..
I have depression, anxiety/panic disorder and exercise induced asthma..

could it be my diet? one of my conditions? any insight that I could bring up with my doctor would be great.. I need to get rid of this b4 I move for college.

Thanks.

PS. I have very inconsistent bowel movements.. never around the same time of day.. sometimes it comes out in a dozen or so pieces instead of one or two like it used to.. there's even been some mucous in it, and mucous alone during constipation..

[This message has been edited by ilaugh@myself.why (edited 04-22-2003).]

Sounds like possibly IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

The first thing you need to do is follow the docs orders and start taking the metamucil to start getting your system regular. Constipation refers to hard dry stools and not how many you have or how often you go. You seem be starting to be obsessed with your bowels and a lot of your anxiety could be causing some of you gas and supposed bowel complaints. For now take the metamucil as ordered and relax. Also it might help for you to sit in the toilet for about 5 minutes every day right after you eat breakfast to try to get your body used to a morning BM. You may also want to add prunes or prune juice to your daily routine.

Agreed- stressing out about a problem will not make it better. Mosto f the time it makes it worse, as you either begin to create new symptoms in your head, freak out over things that are normal, or try to self diagnose.

Best thing to do would be relax and start taking metamucil or eatinga lot of fiber to get your system regular, which might take a while but will help

All your symptoms are linked and the depression, anxiety and panic disorder are all part of what is going on. You need to address this problem first before you can get rid of your stomach problems.

I think anyone who knows about IB anything (Syndrome or Disease) would guess that you certainly do sound a bit IBS-ish or IBD-ish.
IBS and IBD is a huge subjest. The debates still go on as to reason and remedy.
Look up something called the Rome Criteria so you can see what Doctors use to diagnose the problem.
It's good that the Criteria is there because the problems are often so confusing and frustrating.
I totally agree with a previous post that mentioned metamucil.
If not metamucil then citrucel or any of the other fiber suppliments. Forget fussing about it. It really is one of the real keys to getting yourself out of bowel difficulty. Although IBS is notorious for being
hard to treat. If you want to get better before you go to college you best get sound and serious about your diet and your bowels. You probably need to work with a Doctor on Bowel retraining.
I had colon surgery a year ago and I had to work with retraining my bowel. I used glycerine suppositories to help facillitate a bowel movement on time. Anyone who knows anything about the real treatments of IBS will tell you that glycerine supps are the safest way to go. They do not stretch out your colon like stimulents do. Never use anything stronger than glycerine unless preping for surgery.
But for the severely dysfunctional bowel you need to retrain with respect to a time clock.
Look up information on Spinal Injuries and you might find some good references on bowel training.
Also, with shreddy little stools like you have, you need to address those bowel functions and don't let them become anymore constipated.
You can ask your Doctor for anti spasm medications.
Sometimes that feeling of constantly having the BM urge and then getting hypersensitive about it comes from internal gut spasms. There is a ton of medicine available. It's prescribed to help people who have symptoms like yours.
So, talk to your Doctor about an Osmodic Laxative, Anti spasm medication and maybe a little guidence for diet and exercise.
Oh, and did I mention exercise?
Yes.
Exercise. Preferably walking.
From now on for the rest of your life.
Take Care and be well,
kat

What is your diet like? Also, did you see a regular doc or a GI Doc.? Panic and anxiety will contribute to your problem and until that and your diet is straitened out, you will be miserable! IBS is no fun, but, it can be controlled. What are you depressed or anxious about? Eat 4-5 smaller meals a day, instead of 3, this gives your system time to digest what you have eaten, eating too much puts your system into overload and can't function like it should. Drink alot of water and get plenty of fiber in your diet, excerise and try to be calm and not panic when you have to go to the bathroom. Good luck

thanks everyone..
I will follow your advice and bring up this new information with my doctor..
heh, I've been meaning to exercise and relax..

N2golf - my diet is normal for someone my age I'd say.. I don't often eat regular meals but I eat healthy and eat plenty..
I just saw my regular doc who's actually an NP..
and as for my anxiety/depression, it's a total mystery to me and there are no available shrinks within 40 miles of here at this time to talk to..

Thanks again for your time.. I'll check in if something happens.