I'm having so much trouble regulating my BMs. : ( I seem to alternate between harder and softer (too soft and irritating) stools. Some mornings I will have harder stools and then afterward will have loose stools that verge on diarrhea (they're really mushy and cloudy, but still partially formed... a Bristol stool chart 5 or 6). I'm not sure if I'm eating too much fiber or not enough. My last CRS told me to take Metamucil (1 tablespoon) in the morning and I'm considering that. Will that help me get more formed (less cloudy) stools? I heard it can make stools too bulky, but maybe that's what I need right now to have more formed stools. Does bulky mean too wide or just more stool?
The loose stools are really irritating the fissure and causing stinging and burning pain throughout the day when I get them. : (
I have a feeling I have IBS, but have never been officially diagnosed. It just seems like even if I eat the same foods all the time and drink the same amount of water, I get a different outcome in my stools each day. It's really stressing me out. I don't have any urgency issues. I go 2-3 times in the morning only.
I am taking Colace (twice a day), which is helping the harder stool in the morning. This was also recommended by my last CRS. Maybe I should only take one a day (either morning or evening).
Also, I drink a LOT of water each day and I'm wondering if I'm drinking way too much. I drink about 10-12 16.9 fl oz bottled waters a day. So, that's almost 200 oz a day or almost 6 liters. Maybe I should cut back?
It's so difficult finding what works for you. I just wanted to vent a bit, even if nobody has any advice. Thanks for hearing me out.