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stool shape help!!

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 9/6/2007 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
It is good to have a board such as this to write to and know others suffer both physically and mentally with GI problems.

Two weeks to go now to the sig - am going to the International Sheepdog Trials in Eire next week to try and take my mind off things.
I have noticed this morning that the stool was not accompanied by so much gas but all narrow shape. I have panicked somewhat as believe that left side colonic cancer has such a symptom. However, I also seem to remember reading that IBS can cause stool shape to become thinner. Is this so? Someone has even stated (on another web site) that haemorrhoids can have this effect though I don't really see how.

Prompt replies would be appreciated as I am a bit "stressed out" and that won't be helping any IBS!
Posted 9/6/2007 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, ribbon-shaped or "pencil-poo" stools are quite common with IBS. I don't know if anyone really knows why. Internal hemmroids can also cause a narrowing of the very end of your intestinal tract and cause stools to be thinner or funny-shaped for that reason. The only way to know if you have internal hemmroids is to get a GI to examine you and maybe get a sig scope (colonoscopy will also show them). However, unless they are bleeding and don't want to stop and heal up, or are causing you a lot of pain or totally blocking your ability to have a bowel movement, the normal course of action is to just leave them alone. If your IBS is causing the funn poops, then there's nothing to be done about that either.

If you've been looked at in the not-to-distant past by a GI and had cancer ruled out, then I don't think you have anything to worry about. It's very uncommon in young people, especially without a family history and without previous intestinal polyps. Funny poops with IBS or hemmroids, however, are very common.
Posted 9/7/2007 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
There are two types of constipation: spasmodic and atonic. 

IBS'ers usually suffer with spasmodic.  The colon contracts and restricts, tensing up and "narrowing" out.  This results in "pencil poop". 

Atonic occurs when the bowel suffers a loss of it's natural reflexes.  This can happen from lack of fluid intake, lack of fiber, overuse of laxatives, etc.  This type is often found among the elderly.

Posted 9/12/2007 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
The best thing to do is get all possible causes ruled out that way you can treat it properly. There are many causes for thin stool. As mentioned hemmroids, IBS, colon cancer also diverticulosis and obstructions. Finding out what the problem is should be your first step. Hope you can get the answers soon.

Take Care
Posted 9/14/2007 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey,

I have severe anxiety that I know impacts my tummy... I've been diagnosed with IBS but also had rectal surgery when I was 18 to repair a horrible fissure.  Anway, I have a lot of trouble with my stomach (bloating, horrible gas, D) I feel like I have to strain because I never really feel like I'm finished going.  Sometimes my stool is narrow (pencil poop), sometimes it's ribbon like, other times it's too loose to go one way or the other.  Every once in a blue moon (literally) I have a movement that seems maybe more normal. I look at the size of my children's bowel movements and I think OMG how does something like that come out of a child and why don't mine ever look that big??? 

I'm only 30 years old (just turned) and with my health anxiety I always turn minor issues into life threatening illnesses.  Do any of you think that my bowel problems could be related to the surgery I had over ten years ago? - is a person who's had rectal surgery more likely to develop colon cancer? - Can IBS really cause thin or narrow stools, and if so, why?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Liz

Posted 9/17/2007 5:17 PM (GMT 0)

nyliz said...

Can IBS really cause thin or narrow stools, and if so, why?

Hi Liz,

Gutastrophe mentioned its because of the spasms in IBS and that is correct.  The spasms, especially in the rectal area will mold your stool and shape them, the spasms can sometimes flatten them out or squeeze them into pencil-like.  Understand though that narrow stools can be the sign of something else so always best to get it checked out.

Take Care

Posted 9/26/2007 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
eyes  I've been dealing with weird shaped bowels to very thin,pastety,real tiny.I'll have to ask my new gi doctor to check into checking me for internal heemmroids. Thaks for that posting :)
Posted 11/27/2013 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Can IBS cause pencil thin stools everyday?
Posted 11/28/2013 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
marip1 - This is a very old thread. It is better to post your own thread. However, if I recall you recently did post asking about narrow stools. If that was you, then no need to repeat. If you aren't getting satisfactory answers, I suggest you talk to your doctor or nurse practioner.
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