Stool shape

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Stool shape
5
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 10:35pm
I was wondering about normal stool shapes. My stool usually consists of small round pellets, usually lumped together to make a larger stool. Its been this way for a long time but never thought much to ask about it being normal or not. Over several years Ive had intermittant bouts with diarreah that came with severe cramping. Over the past several months, these bouts average about once every 3 or 4 months. The severe cramping always goes away when the diarreah is through. I brought this up to my doctor who recently sent me for a CT Scan of the adb/pelvic region which I dont know the results yet.
I normally feel fine & Im pretty regular (once a day bowel movement) but Im curious to know if the shape of my stool (being more often pellets rather than long round stool) is something abnormal or not?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
In reply to: bellafleur900
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 5:39pm

Here is one article that explains consistency very well, although it is at a pediatric site.


http://www.drreddy.com/nostool.html


I thought this site had some helpful information too...


http://www.aboutconstipation.org/control.htm


Let us know what the test results show and what your doctor suggests!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2006
In reply to: bellafleur900
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 8:33pm
Hi - I think you are lactose intolerant. Get lactose free milk and take Lactaid(over the counter) medicine when you eat icecream or any milk product things. Try it. Most lactose intolerant people have diarrea(sp) - but - when it causes constipation it is harder discover.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
In reply to: bellafleur900
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 10:39pm

Hi, I don't think I've seen you here before. Glad you decided to visit.


I have to disagree with you because I am lactose intolerant, but fluctuate between loose stools and being constipated. IBS can cause this. Lactose intolerance causes more bloating and gas type pain than diarrhea, at least for me.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
In reply to: bellafleur900
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 6:15pm

hi again,

Well, heres alittle bit of an update. My cat scan results came back & my doctor told me that I have diverticulosis. In looking more into this condition online, it appears that I have pouches in my colon walls & if these get inflamed or infected, they can cause severe abdominal cramps/pain, bloating, & diarreah/constipation. THis explains alot since it isnt very frequent that I get these symptoms but when I do, it is very painful. Im not sure if this explains the pellet shaped stool or not but I guess now I should eat more high fiber foods---which I thought I was already. But im considering taking something like Metamusil now.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
In reply to: bellafleur900
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 8:41pm

At least you now know what you are dealing with, which can be half the battle! I don't know if you saw this site, but here is one that I found to be pretty informative...


http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/


I find that adding Benefiber to foods or liquids is the easiest way to get extra fiber in my diet. The powdered form dilutes completely and isn't even noticeable. I've added it to my coffee and couldn't detect it.

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