1. < Digestive Health

Very Soft Stools

Posted by jackiem95 @jackiem95, Jul 27, 2019

In the ever changing world of IBS (which for me started with diarrhea, then shifted to alternating diarrhea/constipation and now to at least being mostly consistent and under control (for which I am thankful!), I now have really soft stools. It is a major mess to clean myself up and actually am never really clean back there. Plus the hemorrhoids have flared up. Doctor tells me to take Metamucil with my protein powder drink but that just gives me major gas problems. Has anyone else been able to firm up their BMs successfully?

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saucy | @saucy | Jan 26 12:22pm

I use flushable wipes to clean up. My problem is I have what appears to be coffee grounds in my stool!! Not sure what that's all about. Had food allergy testing and am pretty much allergic to everything! My stools aren't mushy and am regular. Also take magnesium citrate before bed and that does cause morning bm.

REPLY
1 reply
sljm2012 | @sljm2012 | Jan 26 8:33pm
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@sljm2012 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Have you discussed this with a gastroenterologist? Are you able..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

@sljm2012
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
Have you discussed this with a gastroenterologist?
Are you able to pin down foods that could cause soft stools?
Lactose intolerance can cause it as well as gluten sensitivity and others.
Do you have a problem with stool leaking?

Jump to this post

Mentioned to family physicians. Hage very low iron & currently getting infusions. Wondering if there is a connection between anemia & bowel issue no blood in stool. Friend had similar issues & reduced/stopped eating foods with gluton

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sljm2012 | @sljm2012 | Jan 26 8:44pm
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@sljm2012 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Have you discussed this with a gastroenterologist? Are you able..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

@sljm2012
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
Have you discussed this with a gastroenterologist?
Are you able to pin down foods that could cause soft stools?
Lactose intolerance can cause it as well as gluten sensitivity and others.
Do you have a problem with stool leaking?

Jump to this post

Stool leaks massively within hour of meal..I have no control. Even cut through in shower as if sphincter muscle not working

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sljm2012 | @sljm2012 | Jan 26 8:48pm

Friend had similar problems; anemia requiring infusions & bowel issues. Suggested reduce/gluten..your thoughts. Please

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1 reply
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jan 26 10:46pm
In reply to @sljm2012 "Friend had similar problems; anemia requiring infusions & bowel issues. Suggested reduce/gluten..your thoughts. Please" + (show)
@sljm2012

Friend had similar problems; anemia requiring infusions & bowel issues. Suggested reduce/gluten..your thoughts. Please

Jump to this post

@sljm2012
I’m sorry- it really affects your life every day.
You definitely should see a gastroenterologist.
Could be a form of colitis too. Colonoscopy could help diagnose that. There are also other tests to diagnose digestive problems.
I have similar but not as frequent. I have been referred for pelvic floor strengthening- I’m not sure that it’s going to help control the explosive diarrhea.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jan 27 7:17am

Miralax will do this. It's great (well, for me) at treating CIC, but yeah it has a softening effect. Seems like a trade off between that, or constipation with hard, infrequent stools. Stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax will also do this.

I'm sticking with the Miralax. Now I also love fruit, all kinds of fruit, and eat them everyday, and a fair amount of vegetables/salad. I'm just not willing to give those up.

So I stock up on TP. And that's TMI for now!

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bobweller | @bobweller | Jan 28 1:30pm
In reply to @saucy "I use flushable wipes to clean up. My problem is I have what appears to be..." + (show)
@saucy

I use flushable wipes to clean up. My problem is I have what appears to be coffee grounds in my stool!! Not sure what that's all about. Had food allergy testing and am pretty much allergic to everything! My stools aren't mushy and am regular. Also take magnesium citrate before bed and that does cause morning bm.

Jump to this post

Coffee grounds and a blackish color appearance is usually blood that has been digested. Have your doctor test a sample just to make sure it's nothing serious. I had a blood vessel break in my stomach. But my issue was liver dieases caused by Hep C that I was not aware of for 25 years.

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bobweller | @bobweller | Jan 28 1:31pm

Your digestive system changes over time. I has issues a few years ago and it turned out to be lactose intolerance.

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