Incomplete evacuation

[pvbrave]

Hi! I am a 20 year old male college student. For the last year or so I have developed increasing foul smelling gas. When I have a bowel movement, the stool is formed but soft and when it gets near the end, it turns kind of mushy and leaves me with the feeling that I have not finished going. When I wipe myself, it is extremely smeary and messy and I could wipe for 10 minutes and still not be completely clean. I have the sensation that I could go again, but I would just sit on the toilet and when I wipe there is some more of the smeary mess, that I call anal leakage.

I went to a gastroenterologist who ordered a celiac test over winter break, which came back negative. He suggested I take pro-biotic tablets, that really didn't do anything. My mom did some research and found some articles on lactose intolerance. I started taking the lactose intolerance pills when I have a dairy heavy meal. They seem to have cut down on the foul smelling gas.

I called the doctor to see if there were any other tests he could do to help with the bowel movements such as a stool sample or a lactose breath test to see if I do in fact hace a lactose intolerance. He said they don't order the stool samples unless you have been out of the country and they don't do the lactose breath test, they use trial and error. He said I could see someone else in the practice for a second opinion.

Living in a suite with four guys and one toilet stall, this bowel problem is becoming a quality of life problem for me. Also it is a pain to always have this soiling of the underwear. I do not have pain or bloating. Do you have any suggestions? Should I try a different doctor in a different practice?

[georgie439]

If insurance reasons dont limit who you see, then I would for sure get a second opinion.
Of course if the diet change works then you know that you have "sensitivity" to certain
foods.
But only doing a stool test if your out of the country is BS, and if you choose another dr. dont see someone in the same practice, because I doubt if they will give you different
info then their colleage even if they disagree with him!!

Good Luck

[fane]

It sounds like you might have a incomplete digestion problem. For some reason your food ferments inside your colon. There are many causes to this. A big one can be the food you eat. Try to experiment with different foods. Usually dary and animal products cause terrible smelly stools. Try to eat fish and veggies for a week to see if that works. However, avoid beens!!! You knew that, right?:-)) Also try digestive enzymes. They work wonders. Good luck!