Stool in bowel

[Sherah]

Hi all, just had CT scan results back after investigations into lower abdo pain - luckily nothing sinister found but Gastro consultant said there was stool in my bowel which hasn’t cleared - he recommended upping soluble fibre and that was it. I was so relieved to hear it wasn’t cancer I forgot to ask more questions!

I’m not generally constipated so this confused me - or is it backing up from another time?

Just wondered if anyone else has the same!

[Meleber]

Faecal impaction?

nhs.uk/conditions/constipat...

Complications of long-term constipationLong-term constipation can lead to faecal impaction. This is where poo has built up in the last part of the large intestine (rectum).

The main symptom is diarrhoea after a long bout of constipation.

Faecal impaction may be treated with:

stronger laxatives – prescribed by a GP

a suppository – medicine you place in your bottom

a mini enema – where fluid is passed through your bottom, into your bowel

a healthcare professional removing some of the poo – this is not something you should do yourself

[Meleber in reply to Meleber]

I have it, built up of faecal material in my intestines as a result of an underlying condition (still under investigation what the underlying condition actually is). In my situation it's located in the higher end, end of the small intestine and first part of the colon, in my lower right side.

[Sherah in reply to Meleber]

Thanks! I did think it was this, just confusing as I’ve not really been constipated (apart from after I gave birth but that was 18mths ago). I hope you get some answers!

[Cotsall]

Hi Sherah

I also had a CT scan which showed also showed fecal back-up in the large bowel, and was told it indicated slow transit, (together with IBS and visceral hypersensitivity I was diagnosed with based on my symptoms). When I had the tests done (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, U/S scans and CT scans) I was very constipated. After trying various medications which didn't help, I now have found a regime which has improved things, though I still get bad bloating, stomach pain and excess wind, especially in the evenings, and always have to strain to go to the loo, but am not so constipated any more. Have to be careful not to overdo fibre if you have slow transit, because it can just bulk you up and make things worse. I take pre and probiotics, add flaxseed to my cereal and eat two kiwis a day, and take 1 docusate a day to try and ease things along - an osmotic laxative that draws more fluid into the bowel. Things are much better and more manageable for me now, if not perfect. I have never been able to identify specific foods that aggravate my symptoms, though large or fatty meals, alcohol and caffeine aren't great.

[Sherah]

Thank you - this is very helpful - the Consultant did rave about kiwis! Glad you have found a regime that works as much as possible!

[Purplewoman in reply to Sherah]

Why kiwis?

[Meleber in reply to Purplewoman]

Maybe because of the antimicrobial properties

Source: researchgate.net/publicatio...

"The kiwi fruit has been drawing attention and a great deal of interest because of its health benefits. It is consumed in its natural form, while it is being presented in processed form by the food industry such as sweets, ice creams, frozen juice or pulp, and many other byproducts. The peel of kiwi fruit which is a byproduct of fruit is still under exploration, but it has raised much interest in this by-product because this has many bioactive molecule contents in it such as phenolic compounds. Kiwi fruit has shown antimicrobial activity apart from the antioxidant activity against many pathogenic bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes as well as fungi like Penicillium funiculosum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus ochraceus. With the presence of antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities in kiwi fruit, it may be used as a potential medicinal fruit."

[Meleber in reply to Meleber]

Something I could try too because of the excessive gas built up in my small intestine, leading to slow transit constipation amongst others. Most probably a result of dysbiosis. Still under investigation what the root cause of the dysbiosis is. Could be atypical / nonclassic cystic fibrosis. My DNA is being tested at this moment (laboratory University hospital) and hope to get the result by the end of this month.

For the dysbiosis I currently take berberine and garlic extract but unfortunately doesn't help that much. I will add cinnamomum verum again but not so sure how much additional effect this will have. Don't know how much to take for me to work, trial and error unfortunately. Additionally I take propionate and butyrate (short chain fatty acids (SCFA)).

For the flow in my bowel I take bisacodyl (5mg) four times during the day. For the pain, paracetamol if necessary. Also take rhodiola rosea for my nervous systems and pancreas enzymes (creon / pancreatin) for fat digestion.

I think neomycine / augmentin or a tetracycline could be more effective for treating the dysbiosis / IMO (intestinal methane overgrowth ) but I need to take these for the rest for my life and maybe that's not such a good idea, also because of the possibility of creating an antibiotic resistance.