Case of the Mysterious Bowels (with pictures)

[fuzzynormal]

I've had wet thin stools for a months now and it seems like there's something large that I can't pass when I do go to the bathroom (which is only once every 3 days)

Impacted fecal matter causing this?  I don't know.  Here's a virtual colonoscopy I had done, so you can look at neat-o MRI images, but I'm not sure if it tells me anything important:

http://tinyurl.com/74x7rg9

I'm an active guy.  I walk every other day for a few miles.  The only thing I do in excess is drink too much coffee.  Maybe 4-5 cups daily.

[LivingInHope]

Looked a little at pics- I'm not going to pretend to know what I'm looking at!  I've tried to look at my own radiologic pics and not being a radiologist, typically guess wrong.  I hope fuzzynormal has put a call into their doctor and will update us.

[CalGal]

LivinginHope, yes it could, but take a look at the pics. You'll note some small fecal 'pellets' at a couple of different locations in the colon (view upper left - turn from transverse colon to descending colon). The color and shape are distinctive. Then look at the very bottom of the scan - blow it up - and look at the curve where the sigmoid should slowly curve upward and then loop down to become the rectum. do you see the 'shape' of that region and the 'color?' I can't see it up close, but I've viewed a few of these in the past and the structure/shape suggests fecal material. Again, the caveat that I'm not a radiologist and this person needs direct input from that individual.

[LivingInHope]

I haven't looked at the pics- what leads you to think it appears to be fecal matter (realizing you admit to not being a radiologist and of course, fuzzynormal needs to follow up with his doctor for the radiologist's expert opinion)?

   Could it not be a mass/partial obstruction of another sort, potentially even with a little fecal matter hanging on to it, given that the problem of thin wet stools has gone on for months and that a virtual colonoscopy requires a bowel prep?

  

[CalGal]

Fuzzy, I'm not a radiologist either, but in looking at your scan and the report there is mention of a markedly redundant colon. This is a finding many people have and it's probably something you were born with. It means a section of your colon (in your case around the area of the sigmoid colon) is longer than what is typically considered normal. Many people with this condition descibe having 'constipation' issues. Others, although finding they have a redundant colon, have no issues at all. Most docs will typically say 'your normal' and nothing is wrong, but it will depend on what your doc thinks or his experience with this 'condition.'

The 'thinner' stool that you're describing - lacking the presence of a true bowel obstruction or mass - could be due to a bowel spasm. It results in what can be called 'ribbon stools' which are familiar to many.

But in looking at your scan there does appear to be some residual fecal material in the area of a curvature of the redundancy - where typically the sigmoid colon would curve slightly upward and continue to become the rectum. It's possible that area of redundancy may allow a slowing of the fecal material through your system. Since the area of the curvature - and what appears to be fecal material - is apparently right in front of the rectum you may be feeling the pressure on the rectum itself.

[LivingInHope]

I'm not a radiologist, so I won't take a look at the pics, but did you just get these pics today?  With something so serious going on, the GI specialist should be calling you back promptly!  They should be able to tell you if you have a fecal impaction or a mass or other obstruction in your bowel.  I am sorry you waited for months suffering like this.  Coffee can cause constipation if it is the caffeinated variety, but I would not assume it is a fecal impaction if I were you.  If the doctor has not called you by now, please call and leave an urgent message for him/her?  I'd like to know what you find out.