possible causes of narrow stools? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

casimar148 · 09-19-2002, 09:06 AM

If anyone can offer me some insight as to the causes of my symptoms, please do!!!

For about a year now, I have been passing very narrow stools. They are quite difficult to pass too; I have to strain whenever I feel the urge to go. They then come out very rapid from the straining and is either very long and continuous or is very loose with actual pieces of everything that I ate. There has never been any blood.

I also get extreme amounts of air caught in my stomach and intestines. When I breathe, my stomach gulps/snaps/gurgles with the air. It is very uncomfortable, shakes my whole torso, and is loud. It prevents me from being able to play my instrument (I am a musician.) I just can't get rid of the air.

I am trying to figure out all possibilities of what may be wrong with me before I go back to the doctor. I went about a year ago and she just said I have IBS. She said I should try changing my diet and I did. No matter what, the same thing happened every day. I spent two months eating only breads, fruits, and vegetables. Nothing helped.

Because I see so much actual food passing through me, I wonder if it is a malabsorption problem too. I am losing an appetite for anything I eat since I associate it with how I see it on the toilet paper and in the bowl! (Sorry!) Could anyone offer me some ideas so the next time I go to the doctor I have a better understanding of myself and what I should ask her so that I can get on a road to recovery. I am becoming so depressed since I am always so uncomfortable and have withdrawn from so many social activiites in fear of gas and stomach noises. Thanks so very much!

Harry · 09-19-2002, 09:39 PM

For your gastrointestinal system to work properly you need to intake fiber. Fruit and vegatables contain fiber. Some fruit and veggies contain fiber but do not absorb water--- Green beans, and bananas are examples. Regular bread has very little fiber. All Meat and dairy products do not contain any fiber.

It sounds like you are not intaking enough fiber daily to produce a well formed bowel movement. You need about 30 grams daily. You should think about taking a fiber supplement like Metamucil. It is a stool forming agent that aborbs water and expands----makes you regular----it's also safe to take daily ---just make sure you drink enough water daily.

The trapped air in your stomach sounds like the valve from your esophagus to your stomach is not working properly. It should readily open for you to belch or pass air. You may need a muscle relaxer.
There are several homeopathic remedies to try---Mag Phos and Carbo Veg. --both can be bought at a health food store.

I also think you should be checked out by a Doctor!!!

Harry

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 09-19-2002).]

casimar148 · 09-27-2002, 07:33 PM

I think I eat plenty of fiber daily since all I eat are fruits, vegetables, wheat bread, yogurts....I'm a vegetarian. I drink about 4 bottles of water daily too. I used to take Metamucil, but it did not help my situation at all....my symptoms are the same no matter what I do. I do pass stools daily, but it is so difficult! I always have to strain and it comes out like from a tube of toothpaste. Or just comes out in a stream of diarrhea. Plus my food is not digested. Is it possible that something is pushing on my colon so that I can't pass stools the right way? Why do I have air in stomach which gulp every time I breathe? I can't live with such discomfort! My doctor won't do any tests and says oh well.....please help me!

JimK · 09-27-2002, 09:07 PM

Sounds like you may have a malabsorption problem also. Have you had a blood test to check your red cell count. Low red cell count can indicate a lack of the intrinsic factor in the stomach that allows the absorption of B12. This would verify that absorption was not occuring to some degree. I have IBS and malabsorption due to a lack of intrinsic factor. I take B12 injections occasionally to boost energy etc. I too have some of the symptoms you indicate.

T-bone-Mama · 09-27-2002, 09:30 PM

I am a musician too and was having a lot of stomach pain back in the spring and summer, I know how it can really interfere with your playing/breathing - aside from the pain that was my biggest concern. I was wondering if you went to a gastroenteroligist? Seems like a G.I. Dr. would know what tests to run, and be willing to do them. A endoscopy and colonoscopy can tell a lot. Mine was able to zero in on some possible causes by my symptoms (different from yours), do some testing, and after treatment I am 100% again. I put off calling the Dr. for as long as possible because of minimal insurance coverage and fear, but was so relieved when I finally got taken care of! It seems like G.I problems only get worse left on their own. I Hope you also get yourself taken care of soon. - Sue