Frequent bowel movements -- weird - Bowel Disorders Message Board

mackenzie61 · 03-10-2006, 12:50 PM

Hi,

After having been very regular for years (1 large movement a day), for quite some time now I've been having frequent, small hard round movements each day (3 to 5). When I mentioned it to my doc, she just told me to eat more fiber and drink more water. Well, I already eat a lot of fiber and when I eat more it just seems to make me go more often. I've tried drinking more water (although I'm still not sure I'm drinking enough), but haven't noticed a difference with that. I'm 44, so I was wondering if this could be a weird perimenopause symptom. I'm also taking an antianxiety med. (paxil) and started noticing these changes while I was on it, but after taking a five month break from the med. I didn't see any changes.

Of course, this has me worried about colon cancer, plus it's annoying and I'm going to be taking a trip soon where I won't be able to hit the bathroom constantly! If anyone can shed some light on this or offer me some advice, I'd appreciate it so much.

Thanks!!!

baby_boomer · 04-25-2006, 06:00 PM

Hi,
I too have had the exact same bowel problem as you. I have been like this since last Oct. I recently had a colonoscopy and all was o.k. The Dr. told me he thought it was IBS which I do suffer from or it could be from hormonal changes in the stomach. So I think it could be possible that it is a perimenopause symptom that you are haivng. I am in the middle of menopause and I guess all kinds of weird things can happen where hormones are involved.
I hope this has been of some help.

john the bomb · 04-25-2006, 08:15 PM

Could be IBS.I have been having some weirdness in my bowels lately.The doctor said it is stress.I have been a fair amount better lately...still not 100% but better.

twanger · 04-26-2006, 08:11 AM

Sounds like IBS. This can begin as you start to go through menopause. It is quite common, actually.

AlienB · 04-28-2006, 08:21 AM

I'm having similar problems, however better but not 100%.

In the world of Chinese Medicine IBS does not exsist.

They beleive IBS is a garbage diagnoses when the Dr.'s don't know.

You may want to try TCM, you can look at the site NCCAOM for someone near you.

Let us know of anything that helps your symptoms.