Question Title: Intestinal, vitamins or stress?

I'm a 33 yr old female otherwise healthy, but under alot of stress. I've always had regular, daily BM's that were firm, but easy to pass. For the last 6 weeks I've had soft BM's but with intense bowel contractions that take a long time to pass because I have to go alot. Afterward I have alot of gas in my intestines so much I can see them moving around since I weigh 105 pds. I also have a sore stomach and lower abdomen below the belly button that radiates around the top of my hips and across the lower back. I usually feel better the next day. I then wouldn't go for about 3 days and then the same thing would happen again. Somedays I feel like I have to go all day long, but don't, or only a little. After 4 weeks I thought maybe it was from the prenatal vitamins I was taking since I had never taken them before and they do have alot of iron in them, however I had been taking them for 3 months before having any problems. I switched to a different brand and within 2 days was literally running to the bathroom, but not diarhea just really soft. But still sometimes would get the same pain afterward. I stopped taking all vitamins for about 2 weeks and at times had firmer BM's without pain, but softer than they used to be. Sometimes they're soft with a little discomfort after, but was back to having daily BM's. Three days ago I started another prenatal vitamin from my OB/GYN. I wasn't worried taking these since I have taken them for 2 1/2 before without any trouble. I'm taking them because I want to have another baby soon. Since then I still get soft BM's without any bowel contractions, but still the gas pains, pressure and discomfort after. I didn't know whether stress can cause this since my husband has been having occassional bowel problems for over 2 weeks, but not every time. I also didn't know whether my body needed a break from the vitamins. The only other possibility is my 1 1/2 yr old has been kicking and hitting me alot in my stomach/intestinal area. I could really use some help.

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Dear Sue,
Although I do not believe your change in bowelpattern represents gastrointestinal disease, I still suggest that you arrange for an evaluation of your gastrointestinal tract before you become pregnant. A barium enema and upper GI with smallintestine X-ray should exclude disease. your symptoms are suggestive for irritable bowel syndrome. I think that you might benefit fron taking an increased fiber diet. This goal can be achieved by using agents such as Metamucil. Increasing the bulk of your stool will make the stool easier to pass, regular and make the consistency more uniform.

This information is meant for educational purposes only. Always consult your personalphysician for specific medical questions.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: irritable bowel syndrome
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