1. < Digestive Health

Too many bowel movement

Posted by trishplace @trishplace, Jun 18, 2022

I'm a 68 year old female with no other health issues, but I have ongoing diverticulosis.

I know I can be really open about issues and I appreciate this list so much, so here goes:

For the past 3 years, or so, I've been seeking digestive help and, so far, my gastroenterologist has been very little help. Here's what's going on currently; I have way too many bowel movements during the day. Sometimes up to 6 a day in varying degrees of size. No diarrhea, but sometimes soft, sometimes what I'd call OK formed. Not huge pieces. What is really annoying is I'm not feeling I get completely emptied any given bowel movement. Gastroenterologists just say, "More Fiber, more water". Fine for some folks, but it makes the problem worse for me. I also have to urinate a lot along with this and sometimes feel urgency, but no leakage. Stomach sometimes feels slightly nauseous and there are nights I sleep with a hot pad to relieve some of the abdominal pressure and discomfort.

Background info: h pylori in 2019, along with a diverticulitis infection, gallstones and small hiatal hernia. I've since had 2 diverticulitis infections, all treated with Augmentin. Gallbladder was removed in 2020. No other health issues, although CT scans show pelvic congestion syndrome, which my gynecologist doesn't agree with because I have no pain, although I feel heaviness and pressure most of the time. I'm not on any medications with the exception of Lexapro for anxiety and I take Ambien at night for sleep. Some vitamin supplements too.

My weight is pretty constant. I'm 5'5" and about 134 lbs. I'm up and about alot, take tai chi. My diet is ok, although, again, I can't eat high fiber.

I tried, unsuccessfully, to get an appointment with Mayo clinic at Rochester last year. My gastro sent in the recommendation and records, but they turned me down saying they couldn't contribute anything further to my diagnosis.

Any thoughts or similar experiences anyone can share or where I should go next would be helpful. I'm considering a FODMAP diet or seeking functional medicine. Thanks all!

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 18, 2022

Hi @trishplace, ugh, I’m so sorry you’re having this experience. I can empathize a little because when we travel and my schedule is thrown off, it can take me some time to, let’s say, have all my “friends jump into the pool at one time.” I’ve found something that really has helped and now I no longer suffer from the stragglers that come randomly during the day.
(All that volume down there can also put pressure on your bladder, potentially causing the urgency…again, I have this happen occasionally)
I use a half or 1 packet of Metamucil in water (once per day) for a day or so. That seems to close up the gap between “friends” and they move along in one cohesive group. It restores the peristalsic movement of the gut. It’s very gentle and doesn’t bulk up like other fiber. It holds water and helps hold the poo altogether so it moves along cohesively. The poo is looser but keeps all the little bits and pieces together so they don’t collect in the diverticula pockets.

The problem with just adding more random fiber is that it’s inconsistent in our guts and can cause gas pockets and breaks in the peristaltic movement. It actually has a name - Segmentation. I did a quick search and sure enough, I found an article you might appreciate that explains what happens.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22892-peristalsis

Metamucil is an over the counter product and very common. It’s generally prescribed for anyone with gut issues. It also fills the bill of the fiber being recommend for you but it doesn’t cause bloating. Use a half packet to start. I really hope it helps you. My daughter has my same issue when she travels and it also works for her.
Have you tried Metamucil?

REPLY
1 reply
salt15 | @salt15 | Jun 19, 2022

I have the same problem could not get help until I went to see Dr Rao at Augusta medical center. He did the breath test to see what I had a intolerance to tested positive for furtan and lactose and check muscles in anus and rectum and they are not working together am now taken Bio feedback therapy to retrain muscles seems to be helping

REPLY
1 reply
trishplace | @trishplace | Jun 22, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @trishplace, ugh, I’m so sorry you’re having this experience. I can empathize a little because..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hi @trishplace, ugh, I’m so sorry you’re having this experience. I can empathize a little because when we travel and my schedule is thrown off, it can take me some time to, let’s say, have all my “friends jump into the pool at one time.” I’ve found something that really has helped and now I no longer suffer from the stragglers that come randomly during the day.
(All that volume down there can also put pressure on your bladder, potentially causing the urgency…again, I have this happen occasionally)
I use a half or 1 packet of Metamucil in water (once per day) for a day or so. That seems to close up the gap between “friends” and they move along in one cohesive group. It restores the peristalsic movement of the gut. It’s very gentle and doesn’t bulk up like other fiber. It holds water and helps hold the poo altogether so it moves along cohesively. The poo is looser but keeps all the little bits and pieces together so they don’t collect in the diverticula pockets.

The problem with just adding more random fiber is that it’s inconsistent in our guts and can cause gas pockets and breaks in the peristaltic movement. It actually has a name - Segmentation. I did a quick search and sure enough, I found an article you might appreciate that explains what happens.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22892-peristalsis

Metamucil is an over the counter product and very common. It’s generally prescribed for anyone with gut issues. It also fills the bill of the fiber being recommend for you but it doesn’t cause bloating. Use a half packet to start. I really hope it helps you. My daughter has my same issue when she travels and it also works for her.
Have you tried Metamucil?

Jump to this post

Lori;

Thanks so much for the information, your experience and the link to Cleveland clinic on peristalsis. It explains alot! I will try the metamucil and see if it helps. This doesn't happen every day, but like today, it's super annoying when I want to go out shopping and have to find a bathroom every hour. I'm willing to try anything and everything at this point. I've tried magnesium citrate, which just seems to make the stools looser and still frequent, and other things like optifibre with little "solution". I had been on psyllium fiber for awhile until I had another diverticulitis episode and had to "rest" my bowels. So I'll give this another whirl and see if it helps.

Trish

REPLY
trishplace | @trishplace | Jun 22, 2022
In reply to @salt15 "I have the same problem could not get help until I went to see Dr Rao..." + (show)
@salt15

I have the same problem could not get help until I went to see Dr Rao at Augusta medical center. He did the breath test to see what I had a intolerance to tested positive for furtan and lactose and check muscles in anus and rectum and they are not working together am now taken Bio feedback therapy to retrain muscles seems to be helping

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing. I'd love to find a doctor who could do that for me here in Omaha. I'll keep looking!

REPLY
44annie | @44annie | Feb 6 1:54pm

I understand! I’ve had 10-15/day, fully formed, sometimes clustered/segments. It’s 9 months since I had a sigmoid colonectomy. The surgeon and 4 GI docs are stumped. I’ve had colonoscopy, enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy. I’ve increased fiber, decreased fiber. The latter results in impacted fecal matter and the ER twice.
I can’t believe there’s no answer.

REPLY
1 reply
kathleenp | @kathleenp | Feb 7 8:59pm
In reply to @44annie "I understand! I’ve had 10-15/day, fully formed, sometimes clustered/segments. It’s 9 months since I had a..." + (show)
@44annie

I understand! I’ve had 10-15/day, fully formed, sometimes clustered/segments. It’s 9 months since I had a sigmoid colonectomy. The surgeon and 4 GI docs are stumped. I’ve had colonoscopy, enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy. I’ve increased fiber, decreased fiber. The latter results in impacted fecal matter and the ER twice.
I can’t believe there’s no answer.

Jump to this post

I was only going 4 or 5 times a bay for about 6 months when I took Flexiril for muscle spasms in my back and after 3 days I was only going 3 times. After a week on the Flexiril I was down to once a day! I have stopped the medication but so far am still just once a day. 😊

REPLY
les2024 | @les2024 | Feb 8 8:24am

I had HPylori as well and never been right since then. (2018-2019) i have then had a lap for adhesions and appendicitis two years ago. Previously endometriosis.
I can’t sleep at night still and am taking Linzess in the morning which leaves you a prisoner to your bathroom. I am lucky if I sleep 3 hours at night (that is a good night) and then the discomfort is the rest of the night.
Four years of suffering and not sleeping I have anxiety at times and now high bp and I am not very old.

I am at the Mayo Rochester and had very high hopes of getting answers and a plan. I am meeting with the Drs. today to leave here. They did some tests for Dysergenic Defecation which is what I have been told my last surgeon. Here I was able to do expulsion of the ballon. Seen the PT people. I thought they were going to help me here and I have had many tests not related to the GI at the Mayo. Needless to say I am leaving this place after a grueling two weeks of doing these appointments and will leave here without the help or answers I had been searching for. Leaving taking high bp medication which is due to my GI problems…
I suspect by my messages I will just be leaving with that information I already knew.

I have been to 8 Gastros before the Mayo and the nightmare started with the H pylori and I have never got any resolution.
Basically I have tried all sorts of diet changes,over the counter drugs and prescriptions.

I am so sorry to hear of others suffering.
Do you sleep at night?
I can handle suffering but the not sleeping is deteriorating to the body.

REPLY
44annie | @44annie | Feb 9 8:29am

I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. My sleep is interrupted every night with BMs - last night 3:30, 3:50. I take 5mg Ambien to get back to sleep. Awaiting balloon enteroscopy March 1.

REPLY
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