Abnormal colon activity with discomfort

[ColonConcern]

I am a 38-yr old female. I am very worried about my colon health as my Dad died from colon cancer 2 years ago. He was diagnosed when he was 64, and it was an aggressive cancer spreading elsewhere.

In the past 3 weeks I have seen my family physician 2x and an ER doctor once. I am told that I have a case of severe constipation with some fecal impaction, that I need to eat more fiber, drink more water and exercise. I am a physically fit mother of 2 young boys, active, and of normal weight (BMI of 22). I have lost 40 lbs in the past 7 months by eating sensibly, following the Weight Watchers plan.

My recent history:
4 weeks ago I was feeling the need for a BM for a day or so but could not void, then when I did - my stool for was bizarre. Red blood was on the surface of the stool (streaming), as well as fully incorporated in what looked to be a different textured, lighter-colored stool surrounding a darker stool. It happened twice - one day apart. I was at an airport the 2nd time so I had my camera with me in my bag, that is why I have that level of detail. ;-)

This was coupled with abdominal pain and also rectal pain after voiding. I went to the ER when I returned home (I was scared) and was treated for constipation. I had 2 abdominal xrays taken and was told I was 'packed with poop', given an enema and told to take Laxaday until things got moving. 3 days later I saw my family physician as I hadn't had a BM since the enema at the hospital. She suggested another enema and keep on with the Laxaday. I did start having BMs that were at first sticky/tar-like, then turned to diarrhea. The following week I was seeing mucous and I thought blood in the diarrhea (was unsure if it was undigested red peppers?? as I did see undigested green onions). She then ordered 3 abdominal xrays and phoned me with the results that the lower part of my colon showed an accumulation of stool still and she recommended glycerin suppositories or another enema. I tried the suppository route -- first night a small amount of stool came out within 30-45 minutes, it was more formed than anything else I'd seen that week. I tried again 24 hours later and after 1:10 hr of waiting, the suppository -- I did not have the urge to void whatsoever. I did need to urinate so I used the toilet and tried to void - the suppository hadn't fully dissolved and a scant amount of stool/diarrhea was produced. Same thing the next night, but I waited 1:20 hr and I was certain I placed the supp. properly.

Not sure what is going on down there? I am having BMs now, except it is always comprised of  very soft stool, strangely formed (thinner than I used to have, about thumb width) and I always feel crampy/discomfort in my lower abdomen, usually toward the left side. When I am having a BM, it doesn't feel like I've finished and I'm noticing mucous again. No blood though.

I see my family physician again tomorrow and want to know what to ask for if she again recommend we need to just wait and see.

I haven't had issues with BMs before now. Occasional bouts of constipation, but it would corrects itself on its own - and I was a 1-2 x a day voider.

Any advice or information about what causes this, and what's happening now/what to expect would be greatly appreciated.

Another theory that has been put out there is that my colon is sluggish because of the weight loss - that my colon is expecting more mass to come through to trigger the urge to void and I've become impacted because of the  the waste has been waiting longer to be pushed along. I don't know much about the physiology of the colon - does this make sense?

Thank you in advance for input.

[ColonConcern]

@BradyAmaral - I haven't had a colonoscopy - I require a referral to a gastroenterologist forst. Only tests I've had so far are the abdominal xrays (3 xray angles last week & 2 xray angles 3 weeks ago), and blood/urine work at the ER. I see my family physician tomorrow morning so I will ask for further tests/opinions.

@ Mamma - Thank you for your advice and sympathy. I am planning a visit to my naturopath (she is a good 2nd opinion and really addresses the food/nutrition side of any complications I've had with my health - nothing serious thank goodness, but with two pregnancies & dealing with my Dad's care and his death, I've had ups & downs with my mood and mental health -- she has really helped me). I'll get on the yogurt in the meantime - an easy thing to do!

[BradyAmaral]

One question have you had a colonoscipy

[mammo]

You need to see a Gastroenterologist for an evaluation as this is their specialty with no guessing.  Impaction is common but you need to get completely cleaned out and there are many products that do this very efficiently.  Telling you to eat more fiber will not necessarily empty it all, and may just make it worse, you may need a stool softener.  I went thru this awhile back, and nothing worked for me,enema...nothing, suppository...nothing, laxative just severe cramping.  Fearing something was seriously wrong I made an appt. with my GI doctor.  While waiting for the appt. I decided to try Activia Yogurt enriched with probiotics as a last ditch effort, within 10 days all was back to normal!  We have this naturally occurring bacteria in our intestine which aids in digestion, and if it gets depleted. things just don't work as well.  When it comes to these types of problems always deal with a Gastroenterologist, our GP's are not specialized in this area.  I hope you get answers, I know how miserable it is.  I wish you all the best and take care,