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Thin Stools and Almost Healed

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/12/2015 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

For the past 6 months or so I've been going to the bathroom once a day, the stools are formed, but they are either thin or not big enough to be considered normal. Every now and then there will be a streak of blood on the outside (none on the toilet paper though). My insurance is terrible so I haven't been able to try biologics or any of the heavy hitting stuff (I'll be getting sweet insurance in about a month at a new job) so I've been trying to manage on my own with diet and supplements. I was seeing a naturopath in Michigan who gave me Standard Process stuff, but I seem to have a negative reaction with these supplements now so I'm not sure where to go. Diet wise I eat close to paleo and low sugar. I can tolerate wheat in moderate amounts so that seems to be ok.

I'm so close to being fully healed up and overall there are days (weeks even) where I forget I have this problem. I was thinking about giving slippery elm a try in hopes that it would bulk up my stools. Any tips for getting to a normal champion level poop? I'll be able to see a real doc in the next few months but want to do everything I can before going back to using pharmaceuticals. Thanks for any insight you may have into slippery elm or any other supplement you've tried during a similar situation.

Be well.
Posted 4/12/2015 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
skinny turds + blood = inflammation - even if you bulked to body builder proportions, it probably won't change the inflammation situation -

"I can tolerate wheat in moderate amounts so that seems to be ok."

what exactly have you done as far as excluding wheat ?

grains in general give me grief -
Posted 4/12/2015 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I would try the following and see if it fixes your issues:
-Stress elimination - Getting enough sleep and taking enough time for yourself is perhaps the most important factor in healing from flares.
-Grain elimination - Some studies are showing that modern wheat is very problematic for the gut and leads to IBS symptoms in the normal population.
-Elimination of other problematic ingredients - high fructose corn syrup, carrageenan, polysorbates are showing to be problematic in the current literature.
-Addition of soluble fiber like chia or psyllium to bulk up stools.
-Nourishing bone broth for the glycine and proline amino acids - these promote repair of the gut.
-Slippery elm might be a good idea to coat the intestines and promote healing. You have to back it up with something that repairs the intestines like l-glutamine or whey protein.

Good luck.
Posted 4/12/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
juststud - yeah, I'm aware that it equals inflammation. I've had this for around 12 years. it's mild inflammation but still inflammation nonetheless which is really frustrating.

I went completely gluten free for a few months and symptoms didn't improve. Since then I've added in wheat sparingly. I don't eat it while at home, but if I'm out and about and can't avoid it I eat it. Since adding it back it doesn't seem to make any difference. I'm glad going completely gluten free has worked for you. I wish it had made an impact on my system though. I'm thinking of cutting corn out completely since that is something I eat to replace wheat. I've sensed for a little while that it is problematic so hopefully that will help.

Guardian7 - thanks for the detailed response. I'll look in to what you've posted about.
Posted 4/12/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
This reminds of the movie "As Good As It Gets". Now you have entered into my world. I have absolutely no UC symptoms at all except for going 2-3 times per day and also have solid thin stools. It is my opinion that the colon has been hardened up from the disease and may never fully heal to the point where we aren't having thin stools anymore. A maintenance dose of Pentasa is all I take, with the exception of some supplements. It is my personal opinion that my condition does not warrant using the higher tier drugs and in fact, they may not even work to get us into a total and complete remission if the problem is the result of inflammation that may no longer exist. My GI agrees with this as the side effects of the biologics or other high tier drugs are just not worth the gamble when my condition is extremely mild and almost non-existant in the first place. What you are doing seems to be working so my advice is to not upset the apple cart. This also includes the slippery elm as it can cause disruption of the absorption of the things you are doing which actually got you to this point.
Posted 4/12/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Check out the threads about Nopal. It seems to be helping a lot of people. But Guardian gave great advice.

Off topic a bit, but do you live in Michigan? Where about? I have a friend who is seeing a naturopath and she just raves about this guy. He's also a licensed physician. I believe he's in Bloomfield Hills.
Posted 4/12/2015 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Red_34 - I live in metro Detroit. What is the naturopaths name? I'm up for trying something new.

I'll be sure check out the Nopal information. Thanks so much.
Posted 4/12/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thin stools are also indicative of IBS, not just IBD via inflammation....not suggesting that you have IBS, just wanted to clarify that it's not caused only by IBD...

Have you tried adding more fiber to your diet or taking fiber supplements (seems everyone tolerates fiberous foods differently so generally a supplement can be easier to handle for many, starting with a small amount, drinking extra water daily (regardless if you add fiberous foods or supplement form) as it aids with producing healthier stool formation as well as diarrhea and constipation issues. It can take some time since it can also take time for your system to adjust to increased fiber which is why it's recommended you start slowly and increase if necessary but always increase water intake to help the fiber (in which ever form you use) work in your favor.
Posted 4/12/2015 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
His name is Dr. Kavieff and he's in Farmington Hills.
Posted 4/12/2015 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Red_34 - Thanks. Has your friend has any success with his/her colitis symptoms seeing Dr. Kavieff? He's about 20 minutes away so it would be close to check him out.
Posted 4/12/2015 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
She doesn't have UC, but this guy is pretty good from what I understand. I'm thinking about seeing him myself. Her daughter has been having some gut issues and he pinpointed it right away that her gall bladder wasn't working right. He put my friends daughter on a GF diet and gave supplements. Her gut issues are nil now. The only thing holding me back at the moment is that he doesn't take insurances and the consult fee is $200 something.

My friends sister is also seeing him, I'm not sure for what tho. And she says she is feeling a ton better.

Btw, I'm in the Metro Detroit area myself.
Posted 4/13/2015 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Red_34 - Awesome. It's nice to meet a fellow Metro Detroiter.

I was seeing a guy named Dr. Tent for a little while who also pinpointed a gall bladder issue related to my symptoms. I took supplements for a while and things got to be as good as they are right now, but they weren't improving so I decided to save the money and move on to other options. He's a pretty wacky dude as well so it was tough even knowing why he was giving me certain things or doing for a long term plan. I'm going to keep this Kavieff guy in my back pocket though in case I want to explore that route again.
Posted 4/13/2015 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
garylouisville - well, I think you were right. I am almost on day three of trying slippery elm and I think it is making my digestion worse. I figured it might not work, but I didn't know it would make things worse. I'm now in pain and stools are worse. It's the only variable I have changed so it must be that. Have you found anything that works to get rid of these final sort of not completely formed stools? Does your doctor have any suggestions for you? I was also thinking of trying VSL3 at a low dose to help with healing. I should have listened to your advice and not upset the "apple cart." Ha. Thanks again.
Posted 4/13/2015 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
What I do is in my signature but something different works in everyone. I do take VSL but I have done that since the beginning and added other things to it to get better. If you're not taking any probiotics then that's not a bad idea but don't forget about that apple cart as everyone is so individual that some have gotten worse taking certain probiotics, including VSL. There were a couple of different probiotics I took which made me much worse and had to stop immediately. Probiotics react differently in each patient, based on the microbial gut makeup that is unique to them.

I haven't asked my doctor about suggestions. I already know what is in his medical bag so I know there are no surprises in there that I don't already know about. I kind of treat myself and take the doctor along for the ride. He's perfectly happy how I have progressed and loves to say, "Just keep on doing what you're doing". If I put pressure on him to take me to another level I'm sure he would take something out of his bag but I'm doing too well right now to take risks with the higher tier meds and he agrees with that assessment. I also don't want to upset my own apple cart. I bought some Nopal in supplement form a couple of months ago thinking about that last level but then chickened out in taking it (so far). That is something you could also consider. Sorry the slippery elm didn't work out. I have tried it twice myself in the past but gave up both times because it didn't seem to really do anything for me.

If you really want my advice, again, it is don't be so greedy to get to the promised land that you wind up getting worse by upsetting that apple cart. Sometimes you just have to be grateful with where you are at and realize that this may be "as good as it gets". I know it is hard to do and probably sometime in the future I will by trying that Nopal. Until then my apples are almost perfectly stacked right now.
Posted 4/20/2015 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Gary: Thanks for the insight and advice. I've tried the VSL probiotic in the last week and ended up stopping after about 5 days. I was feeling awfully weird (headaches, increased pain in my left side). I'm just going to keep trucking with my current routine until I can talk to a doctor or another naturopath who seems to have his or her head on straight.

I seem to be reacting negatively to most supplements and things I try to take right now. I know things are individual, but it's pretty frustrating that although I'm doing well things are so sensitive. Anyway, I'm going to keep on keeping on and hopefully something helpful will turn up in the near future.
Posted 4/21/2015 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I had a similar reaction to the VSL. My colon is extremely finicky when it comes to probiotics or supplements as well. I gave up a long time ago, trying various things.
Posted 4/22/2015 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
I just want to add that Psyllium Seed Powder works wonders for bulking the stool, and as long as you take it a few hours before or after your other supplements/medicines it doesn't interfere with absorption. When you get your new insurance please consult a GI and add Mesalamine oral and enema as well.

Steer clear of any dried corn product, can be just as bad as any grain. Look for traditionally treated Masa corn (ancients used a lime bath), or soak it yourself at home. Food For Life makes an excellent sprouted corn tortilla. Trader Joe's has sprouted corn products. Good luck!
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