Huge Stool IBS-C

[SABAS]

I have IBS-C, so i barely use the bathroom.. like ever. I usually get colon hydrotherapy to get rid of the stool inside of me. So today I got these severe cramps! I thought I got my period, after rushing to the bathroom i ended up releasing HUGE stool. It actually went out smoothly as it was pretty sticky, but so big that I still can’t believe that was inside of me. Very long, snake looking, very thick stool that filled up the toilet. I don’t know whether to be worried or relieved. If anyone has any idea about this please let me know!

[Viklou]

I'd be relieved to get rid of something like that to be honest

[DTH123]

I wouldn't worry about it as it sounds like you had a very effective bowel movement which completely emptied your colon. I would discuss it with your colon hydrotherapist as the aim of this treatment is to restore your natural bowel movements, not as a substitute for them as you can become totally dependent and your bowels become lazy and won't work at all. Ban you think of any changes made to your diet which might have triggered this?

[SABAS in reply to DTH123]

I haven’t had coffee in a while, and that day i made coffee in the morning like half an hour before it happened. Usually coffee doesn’t have any effect on me but it could’ve helped this time I guess?

[DTH123 in reply to SABAS]

Maybe you should drink coffee more often. It seems that it had the effect of creating a strong gastro-colic reflex thus stimulating a powerful peristalsis which emptied your colon. How long had it been since your last bowel movement?

[SABAS in reply to DTH123]

It had been a couple months before a “natural” bowel movement.

[DTH123 in reply to SABAS]

That is seriously not normal. The aim of colonics is to kick-start your bowel habits into something resembling 'normal' but this isn't happening for you. Have you been tested for Crohn's and Coeliac as these conditions can play havoc with your regularity?

[golfcoursegator in reply to DTH123]

Have you also been tested for a thyroid condition? I know someone with hypothyroidism and they experience something really similar to that.

[SABAS in reply to golfcoursegator]

I believe my TSH was at 1. something the last time I got tested. My mom, sister, and my grandma have hypothyroidism, so I’m definitely going there too lol.

[SABAS in reply to DTH123]

My doctor did mention to me that he believes I may have celiac but never really tested me. I should probably ask him to do that test.

[mowser123]

I get big stools a lot, especially if I haven't gone for a few days 😉 sometimes a bit painful ☹️ but it's all part of the illness,a lot of IBS sufferers get this. Although your stool seemed to be a bit larger than normal, next time you're at hospital or Doc let them know about it just to be reassured, but I'm sure it's nothing to worry about 😁 but it would probably be a bit scary 😜 especially for a woman to think that thing just came out of my body 🤔 Thanks for sharing this 🤗 and I wish you well with your health,,, God bless 🙏 Stephen.

[SABAS in reply to mowser123]

Thanks for reassuring 🙏🏼

[stephersb]

I have IBS-D and sometimes my bowel movements can be soft and a lot. I wander how it managed to fit in me! If you have IBS-C it's probably a good thing you've managed to go and clear the backlog so to speak.

[xjrs]

I'm just wondering what help you are getting with your IBS-C, so you don't need colon hydrotherapy? I'm not sure this is healthy to do on a regular basis since it probably also flushes out your good bacteria which are needed for your health. In fact the majority of stool is made up of gut bacteria, so I'm wondering if you keep flushing them out, this could be counterproductive.

I have IBS-C and have been prescribed Linaclotide for it and I am also taking Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS and is available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org. These in combination have reduced the pain I am in considerably and I have been able to tolerate more foods so that I am able to consume the extra fibre I need to have a BM including oatbran, wheat bran (if tolerated), 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 9 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. I find that I need to have 1 orange a day and then another high fibre fruit later in the day to help with BMs. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

I also take 30 drops of ginger extract before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.

I have been giving Optifibre a go alongside the high fibre diet, which has been helping but I need to be careful with the amount since it gives me gas.

Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.

I run 3 times a week and have a walk around after breakfast to try to get things moving.

You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).

[SABAS in reply to xjrs]

That was very informative thanks a lot! Unfortunately my doctors doesn’t seem to take IBS too seriously, i am on probiotics and anti-anxiety medication thats supposed to have an effect on my IBS too. After getting an ultrasound the doctor’s reaction was shocking because at this point my colon isn’t even moving yet he is not really taking much action. My colon hydrotherapist gave me a magnesium supplement and peppermint oil to apply on my lower abdominal area. I’ll read through the link you attached and definitely try adding all the things you’ve mentioned to my lifestyle and hopefully it’ll have an effect!

[xjrs in reply to SABAS]

If you really get stuck you can try 800mg+ of Magnesium Oxide. I used to take these for a regular bowel movement when having to be low fibre:

myvitamins.com/vitamins/mag...

I used to start around 800mg at bed time on an empty stomach, then increment by 100mg (1 pill) each night until I got a response the next morning or the morning after. Most of it goes straight to your bowels where it draws in water to bulk out stools.

This worked well when I was low fibre, but when I started to introduce fibre it became more unpredictable (either not working well enough or too well), so I had to give it up.

Obviously in the long run it's best to work on dietary and lifestyle factors, since your body can get dependent on being stimulated artificially, which could make things more sluggish, which is the last thing that you want.

[casares8]

I have had this, usually after a period of constipation. It makes me feel completely drained afterwards, and in some pain for about 24hrs.

[SABAS in reply to casares8]

Yeah i slept all day after that!