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Groove in the stool

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 1/26/2012 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I will try to abbreviate my story as much as possible.  A little over a year ago I began to have problems with constipation, gas, and abdominal cramping.  I increased my water and fiber intake, as well as began a stool softener to no avail.  Laxatives only made the pain worse.  I went to my primary in the spring who was a little dismissive, telling me to continue to eat plenty of fiber, water, and increase my daily dose of Colace.  She told me that based on my age (34) and the lack of blood in my stool she felt that a colonoscopy was not needed, however, if my symptoms persisted we would look into that later on.

My symptoms did persist, I typically would go 7 days without a BM, many times only to be relieved by a fleets enema. 

Subsequently, I found out I was pregnant in June, which only compounded the problem, and made a colonoscopy out of the question. I discussed this with my OB and was advised to start taking Miralax daily. 

I have been taking Miralax regularly with great results, however, I have noticed, since last July a consistent groove in the length of my stool. Sometimes it is larger than others, but it is usually always there.  I've also noticed that sometimes my stool is skinny, not neccessarily pencil thin, but skinnier than other times.  This usually in conjunction with abdominal cramping (which led me to think about IBS.)

I've tried to discuss this with my OB, as it causes me great concern, but he too, is dismissive saying that since I'm not having any other symptoms and because of my age he doesn't think I should be too concerned.  I should also mention my blood work is always within normal limits. 

I will be giving birth in 3 weeks and I plan to go back to my PCP to see about being referred to a GI for further work up.  However, until then, can any of you shed light on what this groove might be caused by?  My OB said it could be a polyp, which would definitely need removal.  I'm praying it is not something more serious.  Anyone have an issue similar to this?

Thank you

Posted 1/27/2012 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Besides a polyp, it could also be an internal hemorrhoid. Many women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Are you having an pain or discomfort in your rectal region?
Posted 10/28/2012 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
We're you able to find out the reasons for the grooves? I hope all turned out well.
Posted 10/28/2012 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
I hope all turned out well too. I was dismissed by my Internist and OB (who felt my tumor), both said I was too young to have cancer or malignancies, and my rectal bleeding was probably from a hemorroid. Well, I eventually bypassed both these doctors and went straight to my already established GI (who did a colonoscopy on me 2 years prior).

Long story short, allowing non GI or colon specialist to pacify your initial concerns may be fine for that day or week, but for on going concerns, it's always best to see out a GI specialist. I'm glad I did. I had Stage I Rectal Cancer! But I survived.....that was 13+ years ago.
Posted 11/1/2012 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marsky, may I ask what you're symptoms were? I can't help but have anxiety over this colonoscopy tomorrow? I'm so happy to hear you are better!!! :-)
Posted 11/1/2012 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
My only symptom was blood. Slight but always there, even when I was just urinating, it was on the tissue. When it didn't go away, that's when I called my GI's office to make an appt. I had an intuition things were not as simple as my Internist or GYN said they were. I wanted to believe them but I suspected I had a serious concern on my hands.

Now I will say my husband developed sudden rectal bleeding 2 years ago and I practically drove him to the hospital. He called our Internist who promptly ordered a colonoscopy. Turns out he did have 1 benign polyp but the bleeding was from diverticulosis. So see, don't worry needlessly until you know you have something to worry about, okay? Keep your appt., don't miss it. My sister-in-law also had a fissure, so there's another example - two for you - where bleeding indicated a serious concern. And in both cases, it wasn't cancer. My husband has to have a high fiber diet, yogurt and Metamucil every day. My sister-in-law ended up having a minor surgical procedure (out patient), she's just fine now.

So don't freak out too much but let us know how your procedure goes, okay?
Posted 11/2/2012 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Marsky. I really appreciate the support and especially being vocal about it. I just needed to vent. I've made it this far to the "prep" and it's tomorrow already. The fact that I've been reading so much and made the appointment, I'll only get reassurance once I get through this. There's no worse feeling than not knowing and that brings on the anxiety with me. I'll inform you tomorrow. It's good to have people reach out, sometimes all we need is somebody to talk too.
Posted 11/2/2012 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
That's what we're here for! I've had so many of these procedures by now, you'll do fine. It's the not knowing that is worrying you. You'll know the results soon enough. Good luck tomorrow.
Posted 11/2/2012 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Back from my colonoscopy and feeling woozy than ever. My diagnosis was internal hemmorhoids and I had a 2mm sessile polyp removed and will wait on the biospy. This was an extreme roller coaster but I'm glad I went through with it. I wanted to update though that anyone that has these indents/lines/grooves in their bowel movement should get it checked out. Luckily there wasn't anything else he stated besides "otherwise normal colonoscopy"

Thank you Marsky for giving me support. Truly inspiring for me. I almost ran out the door when I checked in.
Posted 11/3/2012 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
You are most welcome! I was shaking like crazy for my first colonoscopy and the nurse kept saying - the worst is over, etc. I didn't believe her. Note - I often do not believe nurses when they tell me something the first time. I guess I should work on that. In the recovery room, I realized - wow, she was right!

Well, I'm glad that is over with now for you and hopefully the biopsy will be negative (sounds like it will be). I'm sure it's been an extreme roller coaster. I know that with my husband's diverticulosis, if he doesn't have yogurt, fresh fruit and metamucil he has trouble (bleeding). Consequently, I fix him a lot of high fiber meals. Were you given this same advice (high fiber)?
Posted 11/4/2012 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately no, I wasn't given any advice. I just remember meeting the GI doctor and next thing I know I was in the recovery room. It's still scary waiting on the biospy. I still don't know how to feel about this because I'm terrified. My Dad passed away from stomach cancer (I forgot the correct name for it) but it's a scary feeling still not knowing. :-( My grandma also passed on from a cancer that I'm not even sure of what kind.
Posted 11/15/2012 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
I really stepped up my game and educated myself on my family history since that last post. No more not knowing anything! I just got back from my follow up and the sessile polyp was benign, I just need to follow up every 5 years and increase my fiber intake. The internal hemorrhoids in my case were the cause for the lines in my stool. I'm still glad I got the colonoscopy.
Posted 11/16/2012 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Great news about the polyp being benign. And good for you, you are now becoming your own health advocate. No one else is going to do this for you. Many of us who have had multiple surgeries, cancer, etc. had to do this too - to go into doctor appts. blindly is understandable, once or twice. But like you, I decided to learn all I could too. I began a file on myself, I kept all of my appt. print outs, etc. I recorded each office visit and the findings, etc. It's there if my family needs it (should I have a sudden hospitalization). It's good to learn all you can and inform others of your plan should you need to. In your case, you had a polyp and it was BENIGN. So go celebrate and might I suggest when you hear someone say - I really should have a colonoscopy but I've been putting it off - tell them first hand of your experience. I've personally been able to get about 15 people in for their colonoscopies. A few had benign polyps too and called me later to thank me.

So I'm guessing you will be an inspiration for others too.

I'm glad you got a colonsocopy too. You have a lot to be grateful for! Don't forget us here at HW, check in with us from time to time.
Posted 11/20/2012 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
You are too kind! :-) I'm very thankful and still got some bumps along the way but I'll always check in with my fellow friends. Thanks especially to you for being vocal and supportive. We all need some encouraging words from time to time and I hope to do the same for you and everyone else. I'm trying to convince my siblings to get a colonoscopy. My Mom just got one last Friday and she was cleared of polyps which is great. The word Cancer runs rampant on my Dad's side like I mentioned but now that I'm more cautious about my health, I'm really reeling towards supporting others in any way possible, that's just how I want to help. :-)

Happy Holidays to you and you're family. I'll be in touch.
Posted 11/20/2012 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
And I forgot to mention, that's a good idea about keeping a file. When you mentioned that, I felt like it's most definitely necessary just in case it should be needed. Thanks for the tip. :-)
Posted 11/20/2012 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
At first I had trouble keeping all of my pre-op procedures straight, the bills, etc. That's initially why I began a folder and recorded each date, what I had done, etc. But now I've told my family which hospital I'd like to go to and which surgeon I want should I need an emergency resection, etc.

Which prompts me to say something about putting all of the US patient files online, there are so many people against this and assume it's invasive, your privacy will be gone, etc. Big Brother is watching. But for someone who has had 2 major surgeries, I'd like any hospital ER to tap into my file - instantly. I wouldn't necessarily need that family advocate to state I had these surgeries in 1999, survived cancer, etc. It would all be right there with a touch of a key. Instantly. That is the wave of the future, IMHO. Hoping it'll be like that for my daughters (who are 22 and 25).

Keep trying to get your family to schedule colonoscopies. Remember when they say they heard they were awful, make sure they know it's 9 out of 10 times the prep previous patients are referring to. I always tell people - can you tolerate receiving an IV well? They nod and said - sure, I can manage that. I just smile and say - well then, that's IT. Next thing you remember will be waking up in the recovery room and then going home. First few times I had mine (oh I've had 11 or 12 of them), I still felt like I should have had the procedure, as I was walking to the car. I'd ask my husband - are you sure they did my colonoscopy? !!!! So tell your family members the day of the procedure is a piece of cake. Literally. They make sure you are well sedated.

Happy Holidays to you and yours. Keep in touch with us.
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