Ribbon shaped stool?? Again?

Sounds as if you have rectal inflammation, as these are classic symptoms. You really need rectal meds - preferably Mesalamine enemas or suppositories. If they're totally out of the question because of cost, Cortifoam mingh help. Because oral meds don't reach the rectal area, this may never improve without rectal medications.

I have these ribbon shaped stools since almost three months. It comes from rectal inflammation and swelling, my doctor just assured me today (I was worried about that, too). Although I do use Rowasa and Cortenema alternately (started again tonight while tapering off Prednisone), the ribbon thingies stick around for quite sometime. I haven't seen a normally formed stool in a loooong looooong time either.

So don't worry about it, I am in the same boat. Once the swelling in the rectum goes FINALLY down a bit, the shape thingies will disappear.

Ok, here it is:

A ribbon shaped stool looks - like the name implies - like a ribbon. It is not round and thick as a normal stool (let's say a normal stool form resembles a cigar), but flat and thin. It is often not thicker as toothpaste in diameter (at least in my case) and just squeezed flat as if you stepped in dog poop outside on the sidewalk.

Ok, guess that was very graphic, but educational!

That's true as pb4 stated...a tight rectum (stress, IBS, hemmies or other growths) can cause a change in stool shape.

Since you're having urgency, plus mucus and increased bms...I'd lean more toward inflammation.

If you're not on rectal meds, start them.

I see in your siggie you have Canasa and cortifoam listed...were you taking them at all or completely off them before your symptoms changed?

you should see the doc since this is new for you...he could do a sig-scope to check things out.

Keep us posted as to how you're doing.
q