Constipation/Fecal Impaction?

[paddy65]

Hi,

I don't know if I have IBS or much about it, but I really need some support from somewhere because I am really distressed. First of all, I already suffer from depression, anxiety, and some paranoia. In a nutshell, for a while I willingly withheld pooping for periods at a time (so I pooped much less often). Now, I feel it has built up and I am constipated with trouble getting it out and narrow stools and all the rest. I've started to eat fiber, some laxitives/suppositories here and there etc. and I think it is getting a little better. However, I am still not having "normal" stools and feel like I am still not getting it all out.

I have done a lot of research online and have self-diagnosed myself with fecal impaction, which may or may not be true. Obviously, going online to look for information can be a blessing and a curse. I'm getting more out now but suspect I have some that is just stuck in there which does not sound good.

I read that people with fecal impaction can get bad body odor and bad breath even if they shower and brush their teeth. Now I am totally paranoid about this. I don't really smell anything but do notice a weird taste in my mouth that I would think smells bad. And I do think there is something to this "noseblindness" where you get used to smells around you and then can't really smell them anymore. I work in an office and have sensitive ears, so I hear a lot of coughing and sniffing around me and sometimes they sound exaggerated or fake as if they are trying to tell me something. I realize it is flu/cold season but some of these really sound fake. I am fully realistic about the fact that I can get paranoid sometimes, but I honestly think something is going on.

I am seeing a family doc tomorrow and have made an appointment with Gastro doc for February 7th, which seems ages away. I want to this to get taken care as fast as possible as it is really gnawing at me. I have made a lot of progress on my depression and anxiety lately, but this is totally setting me back. I don't really know what I am looking for by writing this.

Does anyone have experience or thoughts on this body odor issue? Also, would a family general doc be able to do anything about this, or is he or she going to send me to a gastro doc anyway?

Thank you,

Pat

[Maureen1958]

First, I will say that you are doing the right thing seeing your doctor about this. I am sure he/she will be able to put your mind at rest.

A lot of what you say resonates with me when I am feeling constipated. But I don't have fecal impaction (well as far as I know anyhow). I get a horrid taste in my mouth and I feel like my body smells of the food I have eaten the day before, but my husband say I don't and suggests the smell is coming up from my stomach into my mouth, hence the horrid taste.

Does that make any sense to you?

[paddy65 in reply to Maureen1958]

Thank you for your response I saw the doc today he said I don't have impaction and gave me some recommendations for constipation which I feel good about. I need to just relax a little and not let my mind go to these places.

[Maureen1958 in reply to paddy65]

Yes, but you are not alone, we all do it from time to time.

[Sonnypoppy]

I sympathise with you. I have had a colonoscopy and results have shown I have a tortuous colon which I think is why I always feel that I haven't finishe'd. Seen 3 Dr's and have little sympathy at all. Not given option of seeing a gastrointestinal specialist!! They say well they have given me a colonoscopy and that's fine!! So annoyed going to Dr on 7th Feb and will show her the comments on this site of people with the same issues. I have pain for hours after I have been. She told me to do the fodmap diet which made me worse!! Get checked for SIBO they can do a breath test, same symptoms as IBS. GOOD LUCK