I have been having chronic diarrhea for 1 1/2 weeks now. I am in the bathroom up to 20 times per day. I have started taking Imodium and when it takes effect, I'm having pencil-thin stools. I'm getting a colonoscopy tomorrow. Can Crohn's cause pencil-thin stools? From what I've read online, I've noticed that this is a cancer symptom. I am only 28 years old.
Hi, I have crohn's and I have the same thing. I had previous surgery for obstruction of the bowel. At that time my stools were flat wide ribbon like. I was hoping this would improve with surgery but it didn't. I've had chronic diarreha since surgery and now my BM's are like you describe but when I get a little form to them they still tend to be like flat ribbons, or as you describe. The surgeon told me this should improve with time, it still hasn't and a CT scan showed narrowing again. Narrowing can be caused by inflammation or scar tissue closing up the bowel. When your bowel heals more, the inflammation should go down and your bowel movements should improve. If they don't mention this to your doc or GI.
Just curious, did you go for your colonoscopy? Irritable bowel can also cause your intestines to spasm and cause narrowing. My doctor said there may be several causes of altered stool shape. Hope all is well.
Good morning-
My advice (It comes after 4 years of suffering) is to get the book "Breaking the vicious cycle" and start practicing what she says.
I've also incorporated some tidbits from Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions" which have also helped.
Give me a call if you want to talk by phone.
3605101875