Recent change in stool colour/shape

Hi. I've been having troubles with having to go to the toilet a lot for quite a while. However, these past few months it has got worse, and the doctor has diagnosed me with IBS.

These past 2-3 weeks my stool has changed quite a bit all of a sudden. It used to be darkish brown as one would expect - now it's a very very light colour of brown (very pale looking). Also, the shape of my stool has changed. It's now very much like a very thick paste. Without being crude, the best analogy I can think of is that it's like squeezing a tube of very very thick toothpaste. A lot of the time my stools are coming out very thin and pencil shaped.

I've not made any changes in my diet. I'm 27 if that makes a difference.

Any ideas what could be wrong?

Thanks for any advice,
Dan.

Hi Dan,
I would definitely talk to your doctor about the changes in your stool. Pale stool can indicate more going on than just IBS and even though pencil thin stools can be caused by internal hemmoroids, it can also be linked to obstructions. Did your doctor do any tests before giving you an IBS diagnosis?

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If your doctor agrees, I personally would ask for a colonoscopy. This is a very thorough exam and they can take biopsies of your large intestines if need be. Another test is a barium enema which gives a barium contrast to your intestines so they are able to see them through an x-ray. They most likely did the stool samples to test for blood and/or parasites. A lot of doctors will do this and if they don't find anything will not order additional tests which is fine for the most part however IMO your symptoms would warrant additional testing.

Please note that I am just speaking from opinion only, I am not a medical professional.

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_{Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum}

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Hi Dan,

I've had ibs for almost two years now and i go through phases where I have wierd pale stools.  I usually describe them as either toothpaste or ribbon like.  I was referred to a dietician with my ibs and she said sometimes fibre can irritate the ibs and make it worse.  This i found v odd as when you have ibs, all the doctors say is 'eat more fibre'!!!  She told me that the stools can become an odd shape because of they type of fibre i had been eating.  She suggested i cut down on dietary fibre and use a replacement called pysillium husks which can be bought from a health food shop in either tablet form or in a tub where you mix it with water.  This is supposed to be a better kind of fibre.  Ive been using it for abt 6 months and have found now I can start introducing the dietary fibre back into my diet and have managed to cut out the psyllium.

I was quite worried when I hadpale stools as I thought all sorts but after a few days they gradually returned to nrmal.  I still get this from time to time and it frustrates me!!

Hope you get some good advice from your doc, Tori