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WARNING: gross BM question...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/18/2009 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I've been wanted to ask this for a while. How are you all inspecting your BM?

When all my other symptoms seem okay, the only way for me to know if I'm doing well is by inspecting my BM. I use a long thin plastic stick and just wash it really well after with dish soap and hot water.

Sometimes I have obvious blood on my TP but more often it's hidden at the first part of my BM, hence the 'stick' inspection. When I'm bleeding badly, it's obviously wrapped around the BM (that always scares me to see). But, if I'm having D I can't inspect the BM properly, so I don't know the bleeding is still there or not. BTW, Metamusil helped a lot to form my stools so I could do my inspections.

It got me thinking... is there a better way to check for blood? Do any of you do this? Any helpful suggestions?

Thanks,
TPT
Posted 7/18/2009 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know, usually I just wipe really well and then look at what's on the paper for any small pieces and stuff.

Also, this isn't that gross, don't worry :P
Posted 7/18/2009 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
This is a technical question that requires some thought (...and it also depends on your aim, how deep the toilet bowl is, and where the BM lands!)

If it's easily accessible, then use a long Q-tip to check, and you can then flush the Q-tip down with the rest. That's what works for me. I also do a TP check.

I'd rather use something that I can flush down the toilet immediately.

Gross, but I bet more people here do some sort of check than would admit it.
Posted 7/18/2009 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I just look in the bowl for blood/mucus/shape and check the toilet paper *shrug*
Posted 7/18/2009 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Me too.. I just peer into the bowl and try to get as good a look as possible.... and the paper check after wipie too... My blood is usually at the end of my poo, not the beginning....
Posted 7/19/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Look in the bowl for shape and mucus/blood and check the tp on wipes. No need to play with it :P
Posted 7/19/2009 12:25 AM (GMT 0)

Just use my high intensity flashlight!! (while I am praying LOL)

ElaineNY

Posted 7/19/2009 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I take  a peek in the bowl. there have been times when I wanted to really look but I've always found that to be too dirty and too much of a hassle so I've never bothered. There is no easy way to do something like that. Just take a look and see if everything looks good, maybe grade on a scale of 1 to 10. I would say most of my movements are pretty poor, maybe a 4. once in a while I have something somewhat normal but it's not common. i don't think there is much else to look for in there. It's not bloody and it's not firm enough, it's doesn't smell pleasant. that's about all. tongue
Posted 7/19/2009 10:28 AM (GMT 0)

Doz79 said...
Look in the bowl for shape and mucus/blood and check the tp on wipes. No need to play with it :P

^^echo
Posted 7/19/2009 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Obviously don't play around with it, but I think it helps to take a look and see which food's getting digested and which isn't, and that could probably help you figure what foods you should be avoiding.

Whatever works.
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