In the summer I noticed that I was becoming constipated. My normal bowel movements weren't everyday so I didn't give it much thought except for the fact that instead of one solid piece of stool it was coming out as several smaller separate balls, sometimes they were clumped together sometimes not. Also I was noticing some white/yellow particles in the stool(perhaps undigested food?) Anyway, last month I saw my doctor for my annual check-up and told her the problem. She didn't think much of it. She ran the usual blood test and I did the test for fecal occult blood. All were normal. Things got worse over the last month and I now developed hemorrhoids due to the major straining. Went back to the Dr. to get medication for the hemorrhoids. Also during this time I increased my fiber and increased my water. At this point I started taking metamucil once a day. This seems to help to soften the stool making it easier to pass, but today even thought it was softer it was still in separate pieces and I thought I saw some whitish looking mucos.Is this normal? I am I making my self crazy for nothing. My Dr. said maybe to see a gastro Dr. if I wanted. I would appreciate any help or insight.
Thanks,
Robbin
I have been having the same problems over the last few months. I went to a gastro doctor and he is sending me to the get xrays at a local hospital. I am scared they will find nothing wrong. I also feel if I'm going crazy. I sat in the waiting room, wanting to walk out. I have been to so many docs this year and they have found nothing. BUT I WILL KEEP SEARCHING. Hang in there, and keep digging.<p>[This message has been edited by mikess.rm (edited 11-21-2001).]
Mucous in your stool is usually a sign of inflamation in your digestive tract. It could be the result of a bacterial infection. That is easily treatable.
I suggest you try the back-up and start over method. You start on a clear liquid diet for seven to ten days to allow your digestive tract to heal. Then you gradually reintroduce the foods you would normal eat.
Drink plenty of water. Cranberry juice, tomato juice and orange juice raise the acidity in your digestive tract which helps kill the bacteria. Some people can't tolerate it. So, you may have to experiment.
If in the process of following a clear liquid diet, you should feel a sharp pain in your gut, let your doctor know right away. It could indicate the presence of an ulcer.
It's OK to take the medicines you would normally take. But, not with the cranberry,tomato or orange juice which can make it desolve too fast. Separate those events by about thirty minutes.
The mucus you are seeing in your stool is normal with constipation this is the bodys way of softening your hard stools... been there done that..I have had chronic problems with constipation since 1988. The Dr. has checked me out and states I suffer from a lazy colon, my intestinal motility is s-l-o-w!
