Poop Size

[Mary]

Ok I am new to this forum and was wondering if you are obstructded or have a stricture would your poop look different or just be diarrhea. Sorry for all the questions I just havent been feeling well at all and was wondering about all of these questions.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

As someone who has gone through an obstruction, pooping wasn't an option. It came back up the other end.

 

[Mary]

So the fact that I am going and they are formed that is a positive sign?

 

[Kev]

Hey Mary

Don't believe I've welcomed you to the forum... so here's a belated welcome. As for your question.... here's the scoop on the poop (as far as I'm concerned).. Basically anything that restricts your tract, esp. the colon, rectum or anus, CAN affect the size of stool. One of the methods I use (but then again, everyone knows I'm crazy) for judging how things are going up inside me (apart from pains, cramps, energy levels, appetite, etc.) is the size N shape of my stool. I developed a scale... 1 (being watery diarhea) - to 10, (the best, biggest, healthiest looking stool you ever had).. and I pretty much use it each N every trip to the bathroom to give me a handle on how I'm doing. I found that you can't judge by just this.. but if use in conjunction with how you are doing overall, its a pretty acurate indicator of where your IBD is at. (Like, are you improving, stable, or entering a slump). I found that just pain (like, that could be just one bad meal) or energy levels (is it the crohns or a cold coming on?) weren't telling me (ok, pardon the pun) the 'hole' story.

The one thing to keep in mind is that just smaller stool, (or the big 'D') arent' necessarily a sign you are deteriorating. Same goes for bleeding. Like, I've got internal hemmeroids (sp?) that have caused decreased stool size AND bleeding at times (just to keep me on my toes, as if life weren't enough). So don't let that cause you to hit the panic button. If you get into the routine of keeping an eye on what comes out (that sounds gross, doesn't it) you'll soon know what is 'typical' for you, and be better able to gauge what is going on.

Sure beats going in for a colonoscopy every few weeks

 

[Mary]

I guess it wouldnt be proper to post a picture. Just joking.

 

[shazamataz]

He he i've thought of posting pictures too when my poop has been weird. Maybe we could start a thread on that!
I'd say if you are pooping regularly with few problems it is probably not any sort of obstruction. When i was strictured in the ileum in July I could hardly poop at all but now go regukarly each morning.

 

[pewpewlasers]

HA, no poop pictures please. I was scarred for life when I accidentally ran into pictures of people that used a colon cleanse. I never though poop could look like a big egg noodle.

 

[MINI Cooper]

HA, no poop pictures please. I was scarred for life when
I accidentally ran into pictures of people that used a colon cleanse. I never though
poop could look like a big egg noodle.

eeww. I know. I fell victim to viewing those as well.

I also have had a crapload (so to speak) of obstructions and I either had the
runs, or if I was obstructed fully, vomitted my guts out.
One of the worst types of pains imaginable I must say. I would rather get shot....
multiple times...:voodoo:

and welcome to the forum!

 

[uab grad student]

I'm with Kev... maybe keeping a mental image (or even a real image on a digital camera) will help you keep track of your stool and how it changes. I wouldn't advise showing it to the faint-of-heart or anyone eating, though. ;-)

Before I got diagnosed this month, I was actually keeping a "poo portfolio". I'm a scientist and any data useful for the diagnosis that was free and painless, I thought was great. I collected photos over a week, wrote down the time it was taken, and this helped me realize a lot (i.e. how much blood is there? how often are these instances occurring, etc). Taking the pictures of my poo was actually my fiance's idea, lol, but if it helps you keep track, I say it can be very useful.

 

[braveheart]

I'm with Kev... maybe keeping a mental image (or even a real image on a digital camera) will help you keep track of your stool and how it changes. I wouldn't advise showing it to the faint-of-heart or anyone eating, though. ;-)

Before I got diagnosed this month, I was actually keeping a "poo portfolio". I'm a scientist and...

Well, I did the same once.
I had no words to explain to the doctors how bad looked my poos so I took same pictures. Later I didn’t dare to show them. They were very disgusting

 

[Creepy Lurker]

Any reason to break out 'The Chart'

 

[Peaches]

Wow...I had no idea there was a visual chart and everything.....

 

[Agent X20]

I often go for the customised poo which totally defies the Bristol Stool Chart. After a period of C, I often get spherical boulders which always remind me of the boulder that rolls down on Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
They cause absolute mayhem

 

[uab grad student]

Hahaha!!! I love the poo chart-- sooo scientific. Now I know what I used to refer to as "deer pellets" are a #1 and "soft-serve" is #4. This is awesome. Lol

 

[teeny5]

The poo chart is the best! Even though I am in remission mine vary from diarrhea, to pellets, to normal or thin like a pencil. I still haven't figured out what causes each...I don't keep a good poo diary.

 

[forum contributor]

Creepy.... you are just the best!

And Mary, don't ever apologize for asking questions! Only have regrets for not asking the questions you should have