PLEASE HELP! I am VERY confused about what size and consistency I should be striving for with my stool. I can control the size and consistency of my stool pretty easily (i.e., lots of Miralax + less fiber = soft stool, like the consistency of melted ice cream; less Miralax + more fiber = soft, smooth but large and formed stool about the width and shape of hot dog)
I have found that when my stool is very soft (i.e., like melted ice cream) I have no pain at all during a bowel movement and almost no pain or spasms following a bowel movement.
However, I have been to two (2) top colorectal surgeons, as well as a physical therapist for pelvic floor muscle retraining (basically helping me relax my sphincter muscles to reduce the spasms) and ALL three of them have said that my goal should be the soft, smooth yet larger formed stool.
This seems counterintuitive to me, especially since the loose stools reduce or completely eliminate my pain, while the soft, smooth but formed stool generally causes more discomfort.
I always take a bath or shower following a bowel movement, so excessive wiping from a soft stool is not a problem.
Who's right? And why?
By the way, I am currently on Nifedipine.