Can't get constant stool type

[Brad P]

Hello all...

Prior surgery I had on Oct 1st where I had 4ft of bowel removed, my stool was generally long and on the soft side. If it was a large BM, I could start as lumps, then to long and soft, and then mush (for a lack of a better word). I find this hard to pass as it can take a long time to get it all out and as a result, have developed h-roids for which I've had 3 banding treatments to try and reduce which has helped.

After surgery, my stool became more firm, long and larger on the round. This made it easier to pass. I thought this was great. Having my bowels empty for 10 days maybe did it wonders. I called it 'format c:' and for you computer people, you should find that funny haha
But after a couple of weeks, my stools started to go back to its old habits. The 5 min trips to the john I was enjoying started to drag out like before.

As for my diet, I do eat fibre everyday. In the morning I have a large bowl of Cheerios and Fibre One, where Fibre One makes up about 40% of the bowl. On top of that I could have green veggies later for supper, or some other fibre food. So there is no lack of fibre in my diet.

So right now, if I were to reference the Bristol Stool Chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Stool_Scale
a substantial BM for me will start was Type 1, go to Type2/3 briefly, and then Type 4, and finish off on Type 5 or even 6. Its like seeing the weather of all 4 seasons in a day.

How can I make my stool go back to what it was the 2 weeks after my surgery? larger, firmer, making it easier to pass.

For some humor, here is a rap version of the Bristol Stool Chart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmlKbTpqh5o&feature=related

 

[teeny5]

I usually see 4,5, and 6 all in one day. Not sure if that is normal for Crohn's or not to see such a variety. Not sure how to make it go back to the consistency you would like. Are you maybe getting too much fiber. For me too much fiber causes all kinds of issues.

 

[katiesue1506]

When I flare I will have a 5 or 6 if I'm lucky and it will always end as a 7. Sometimes I never am lucky enough for a 5 or 6 and its just a 7.

 

[ttyon]

For me it's almost always 6 but can be 7 if I've had mostly liquids. As for a solution, I feel like I've been able to get it up to 3 or 4 a few times by holding it in, like when I'm laying in bed and feel like I have to go, but not bad enough to cause significant discomfort. I'll hold it in for several hours and when I go in the morning it'll be more solid, as though I just needed more time than it would give me to absorb the liquid. I wouldn't recommend that, of course, since your condition seems more complicated than mine.

 

[Brad P]

I thought about perhaps that I am having too much fibre as fibre retains water but my stools were like this prior my fibre kick I started back late August. Fibre did help abit though at the time. What a complicated balance!

I do go to the bathroom almost everyday, and 99% of the time first thing in the morning. For me to go anytime after 9am is unusual.

I don't think I'd try and hold it in to allow my bowels to absorb water, I go whenever nature tells me!

 

[kello82]

I do go to the bathroom almost everyday, and 99% of the time first thing in the morning. For me to go anytime after 9am is unusual.

my 'schedule" used to be just like the one you're describing. i would have one long, painful and tiring movement in the morning, and then nothing other than plain aches during the rest of the day.
somewhere i changed though, now i go at random times all day long. like you, i havent been able to trace why this happened. nature of the disease maybe.

 

[soupdragon69]

Might be worth looking at the amount of soluble and insoluble fibre ratios you are taking in..

Also possible your body is going to do whatever it likes anyway - flipping typical aint it! lol

 

[Brad P]

A belated thanks for the replies. I am going to call the dietitian that saw me during my hospital stay and get her take on it. I'll post an update when I get one.

 

[s.a.m.]

Hello all...

Prior surgery I had on Oct 1st where I had 4ft of bowel removed, my stool was generally long and on the soft side. If it was a large BM, I could start as lumps, then to long and soft, and then mush (for a lack of a better word). I find this hard to pass as it can take a long time to get it all out and as a result, have developed h-roids for which I've had 3 banding treatments to try and reduce which has helped.

You mentioned problems w/ h-riods...I am also having issues with this, making life quite uncomfortable...My doctor gave me a cream to use, also recommended zinc cream (used for babies diaper rashes) and sitz bathes, but its little relief....I was wondering if you have any suggestions??

 

[Brad P]

You mentioned problems w/ h-riods...I am also having issues with this, making life quite uncomfortable...My doctor gave me a cream to use, also recommended zinc cream (used for babies diaper rashes) and sitz bathes, but its little relief....I was wondering if you have any suggestions??

I've tried Prep-H, a prescription cream that I can't recall the name, and sitz baths. I've also had 3 banding treatments that have helped. These are internal h-roids and pop out during movements due to straining. After my surgery, when I had more solid and bulkier stools, passing was much easier and faster, and the roids were not as much of a problem. Now the stools are softer again and I guess my colon has a harder time moving softer stools. The bulkier and bigger they are, the easier they are to pass so it would seem.