Quick question

Im not flaring at the moment but i am still going to the bathroom between 2-5 times a day to pass stool. There is no urgency or pain. The stools are formed but instead of one its like 10 small thin pieces. Maybe 1 inch in diameter and about 4 inches long, each piece. Just wondering what might be causing this? Is it maybe because my colon is still healing? I finished a course of pred about a month ago for a flare.

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VSL#3
Progressive - Calcium and Magnesium supplement
FibreSmart - fibre supplement
New Chapter Organics - Unbound Energy, Multivitamins

Thin stools are a sign of inflammation.

Sue

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dx proctitis in 1987

They can also be a sign of strictures. Usually you won't have strictures unless you have had UC for a long time. It's scarring that narrows the colon and causes thinner stools. I have pretty bad strictures and never have a stool bigger than you are describing.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 15 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

Have you been prescribed a maintenance med? (Since you finished your Pred course a month ago.) The usual UC maintenance meds are 5-ASAs, oral and/or rectal. If your doctor did not prescribe any, you should get in touch right away to inquire about them-- because your UC is likely to flare again in the absence of medication. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 5 Colazal daily for July flare in descending colon; should be back in remission again soon)

I go back to the gi on tuesday, it will be the first time i see him since i finished this last course of prednisone.. Last year i was using salofalk, 3 in the morning 3 at lunch and 3 at night.. I discontinued those with permission from my g.i because i went into a flare and didnt feel that they were working for me. I am going to ask him about lialda when i see him on tuesday.. I dont know too much about it but i do know that i will only have to take it once in the morning which makes it much easier to comply than 3 times a day. Is anyone else on lialda??

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VSL#3
Progressive - Calcium and Magnesium supplement
FibreSmart - fibre supplement
New Chapter Organics - Unbound Energy, Multivitamins

Like others said, it sounds like inflammation. As your GI about rectal meds as well - canasa or rowasa - to help relieve the inflammation at the source.

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Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

 

Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12

 

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

 

Co-Mod for the UC forum

Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Yes it's a sign of inflammation.  If you think about the colon being inflamed in 3D, you'd picture that the inside will get narrower the more the colon becomes inflamed.  That's one thing I check every time I have a bm.  They're almost always narrower than they should be, which tells me my colon is still inflamed.  It's a good way to check without another test, which is the last thing any of us want.

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Hemmorhoids can also cause narrow stools.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999