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Almost there but stools like mini bananas!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/7/2012 3:42 AM (GMT -5)
Hi everyone.

It's been a few months that im almost in remission. No blood (never had much anyway), no mucus (had tons of it) and no more bms or urgency after morning (which I had all the time).

I have 1-2 bms a day. Am on 6 times 400mg of asacol daily, 2 enemas of 2gr a week and vitamin D3 twice daily.

I have ongoing problems with hemorrhoid. No bleedding just itching and swelling.

Now I feel very frustrated about the consistency of my stools. Not enough firm and formed but no diarrhea either.
They are just small. For me a normal stoll would be like a banana well mines are more like mini bananas!

The only time I have much lose stools if the morning after my enema but I understand it's the extra liquid anyway. Ive tried psyllium husk capsules and so so. When I was in Canada I was on Metamucil and it helped a lot but in the UK they dont sell it.

Or is it part of the deal with the meds? No more mucus and urgency but less formed bms?

Im a bit confused as my diet is sensible with some treats once in a while.
Posted 9/7/2012 4:24 AM (GMT -5)
Good to 'hear' you're on the road to recovery.

You can buy Metamucil via amazon.co.uk. It's a lot pricier than in the US (probably Canada too), but it's there as an option. There's Benefiber too which might help.
Posted 9/7/2012 9:46 AM (GMT -5)
i don't know how long you've doing this uc thing, but for me, i couldn't care less what my poop looks like - it could look like mini martians, i wouldn't care - there are too many other things that concern me - mostly all the other symptoms (or lack of) that you mentioned - blood, frequency, urgency, overall health, appetite, etc. -

understand, i'm not saying to completly ignore it, but i try to look at the whole picture before i get out the microscope -

sounds like you're doing great - that's awesome !
Posted 9/7/2012 9:47 AM (GMT -5)
I looked on amazon and true about 4 times more expensive as benefiber is quite inexpensive.
I better try it as 3 pounds for a month supply wont break my pockets.
Posted 9/7/2012 10:54 AM (GMT -5)
soystud yeah I agree.

I feel frustrated to not feel lets say empty after a bm. Its not like it was before uc and even during the first years of uc. Ive had it since 2000.

I feel there might be something with food or hemmies but im pin pointing and if I look at the whole picture im way better than I was a year ago and can predict a bit more my activities and life. So I'm quite glad.
Posted 9/7/2012 12:52 PM (GMT -5)
tournevice, one of the reasons I explored a gluten free diet was because I had persistant soft stool without really any evidence of active inflammation. Within two weeks of being completely gluten free this was significantly improved. I've been gluten free for about 15 months now and I always have formed stool now, although I am still struggling with motility issues (not enough for a few days followed by one day of multiple bms).

Just a thought for you. It is not unusual to develop an intolerance to gluten (NOT celiac disease) in an IBD patient. Maybe just a woman of a certain age, too.
Posted 9/7/2012 1:36 PM (GMT -5)
hey tourn -

like i said, i'm not trying to minimize your issues - i'm the same way - but i realize i'll never be the same as i was before - with or without the uc - sucks to be 10 years older and still dealing with this crap -

i totally agree with kaz - if you haven't looked at gluten as a source, maybe worth a try - a no-risk shot -
Posted 9/7/2012 3:04 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Soystud never took your comment in the wrong way. I was thinking the same way too. Does it ever gets back to like it used to be even when you are at ease with your uc?

Kaz I'm already wheat free and have very little dairies. I mainly do my own spelt bread and have lactofree milk in my coffee. Once in a qhile ill have cheese but thats it. I noticed some difference in being wheat free as how I felt (less heavy, less foggy) but didn't make any difference on my stools.

I think we get so obssessed with our stools even when our uc is more controlled ahah it's like second nature.
I remember quincy saying to inspect the stools with a flashlight ahah
Posted 9/7/2012 4:19 PM (GMT -5)
I sometimes have the mini banana stool also when not otherwise flaring and wonder if it could be getting shaped like that from hemorrhoids.

And I don't think things will ever be like they were pre-UC. For me, anyway. Feeling normal now is a new normal, and not the same as before.
Posted 9/7/2012 6:12 PM (GMT -5)
the poop is kinda tricky in my thinking - it was the first thing that changed when i went from a 180 # , workout every day, on-top-the-world, healthy vegan guy, to a crying, curled up on the couch, quivering has-been - everything got worse after i first noticed the change in the white bowl -

now it seems to be the last thing to get well - i'm sleeping, gaining weight, working hard physically, feeling great overall - but my poop is still off - but it's ok - i can live great with that, especially when i believe it will return to normal too -
Posted 9/7/2012 6:30 PM (GMT -5)
To martian turds and mini bananas !! I'm having water butt :( I do respect that's its hard not to study the stool ! Hope u cont progress and recovery :)
Posted 9/7/2012 11:35 PM (GMT -5)
tournevice....are you trying to kill my love for bananas???????????
Posted 9/8/2012 3:09 PM (GMT -5)
OK, going to ask if you're on the rectal meds...which ones and how often???

q
Posted 9/8/2012 4:12 PM (GMT -5)
now 2 times a week pentasa 2gr.
Posted 9/8/2012 6:47 PM (GMT -5)
Maybe consider upping them for a while see if it improves.

Are you using fibre? probiotics?

Hey, did you find your kitty or get it from a shelter (forgot to ask in the farting thread..heehee)

q
Posted 9/8/2012 9:52 PM (GMT -5)
And now I will never look at a banana the same way again...lol. :)

My stools are almost always pencil-thin since getting UC. I think there is scar tissue or just constant inflammation for me or something.
Posted 9/8/2012 11:05 PM (GMT -5)
I am in a similar situation to tourenvice. My stools are kind of like a mustard kind of texture (and colour) too. Aside from that, I don't really have any other abdnormal symptoms... I am confused about whether I should panic and further investigate or just sit back and enjoy my 'almost' remission...
Posted 9/8/2012 11:17 PM (GMT -5)
max - just chill baby !
Posted 9/8/2012 11:33 PM (GMT -5)
After dx, nothing phases me any longer. Banana's are still yummy.

Have you tried psyillum seed, T? Have you added any bulking foods at all?
Posted 9/9/2012 2:31 AM (GMT -5)
Quincy: I notice if I stay with 2 times a week I have less bms at the end. Sounds a bit weird but the enemas always gave me a bit of mushy side effects and cramps he next day. Im doing them because overall they help.

PB and Sara: Well mini bananas are full of flavor !! A bit like any bms: if its smnall its strong in scent if its like a regular banana it doesnt smell!

I might go with hekela and would think my hemmies tend to shape my stools on the way out.

Sibby: i found psyllium husk powder capsules in my flat yesterday so will give them another go this week. I know some here say seeds are best. Im used to Metamucil and worked wonders but in the UK I only can find it on amazon at the equivalent of 40 dollars!!! Far from Pharmaprix home brand on promotion at 6.99!
If it doesnt work im thinking Benefiber which is wheat dextrin. Im trying also to switch from toasts in the morning to porridge to see if it would help.
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