A question about stomach trouble.

[GARYS]

I know its common for chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome sufferers to have abdominal pain and IBS, but I'm confused as to what my problem is and how I could help it. None of this would be a big deal for a "normal person", but it is for me because using the bathroom is what causes most of my pain. Over the past ten or so years I have always had very solid stools and I would go about every 2-3 days. Two months ago after a bout of diarrhoea (which I never get) I have been left with some abdominal discomfort and going more often. My stools are looser (they break up in the toilet) and I feel like I could go four or five times a day if I tried. I wait until I know for sure that I really have to go. Like I said this probably wouldn't be something a "normal person" would be bothered by, but the more I go the more pain (urethral burning) I get. I'm just wondering if a change like this is something anyone else has experienced and what I could do. I have recently stopped eating pizza which is my favorite thinking the dairy was having something to do with it and I never drink milk. Someone said it could be a number of things, even a virus, and if that was the case would I need a doctor or should I just let nature take its course? I should also mention that I got out my Theracane and started pushing around on my abdominal muscles and there are a lot of really sore and tender spots.
Thank you

[webslave]

My hunch is that your changed bowel habits reflect a food intolerance. You can develop food intolerances at any stage of life, quite suddenly. I suggest you go on a "lamb and pears"-type elimination diet for a week. If your abdominal frequency and pain subside, you know that food intolerances are the reason.

More info:
http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/food_al ... public.htm

[conradin]

Eliminate all pathogenic causes and possible food allergies cause first, then deal with the abdominal muscles. My trouble started with food poisoning.

BTW, going to bathroom (bowel movement) can cause urethral pain..

[Dj Smitty]

I'm the other way around actually. I used to have perfect bowel function.....sometimes the odd bit of the runs, but nothing serious. Then I started taking Elavil which really constipated me but I stopped that in November but haven't been able to shake the hard stools. It actually resulted in a very significant anal fissure, which was very painful and bled a lot. I'm on stool softeners and fibre tablets now to keep them soft, but even with those, I still find my stools to be well....big, bulky and painful to pass at times, with a lingering pain in the rectum after for hours. Also, my habits are all out of whack...sometimes I'll have 2 or 3 massive amounts in one day, then not go for 3 or 4 days. This was such a sudden change considering having my daily bowel movement was a fun part of the day for so long.

Anyway, I think the body just sometimes changes for reasons we don't understand. People tend to get bowel trouble later in life......my dad for example has constant diarrhoea and takes immodium weekly. You might want to run it by your doctor. Abdominal pain and chronic loose stools could be the beginning of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's, which hits suddenly at any age.

[GARYS]

Well that's a very scary thought !!! Especially since I already have such a weak mind and feel like a hypochondriac. I have an appointment with my doctor Thursday to ask her some questions. I guess you couldn't even call what I have diarrhoea, its somewhat solid but breaks up when it hits the water, I have discomfort mainly in the right side of the abdomen, more gas and the feeling that I could have a few bowel movements a day. I'm really hoping its something treatable!!!! I really don't need another problem down there!!!

[rider fan]

Well that's a very scary thought !!! Especially since I already have such a weak mind and feel like a hypochondriac. I have an appointment with my doctor Thursday to ask her some questions. I guess you couldn't even call what I have diarrhoea, its somewhat solid but breaks up when it hits the water, I have discomfort mainly in the right side of the abdomen, more gas and the feeling that I could have a few bowel movements a day. I'm really hoping its something treatable!!!! I really don't need another problem down there!!!

You may want to have a colonoscopy and a barium follow through to rule out IBD. I have IBD and that's how I was diagnosed.

[GARYS]

Are you taking anything for that? Does it work?

[rider fan]

Are you taking anything for that? Does it work?

I'm on a drug called Purinethol. IBD isn't the end of the world, it can be controlled and there is a hell of a lot more that doctors can do for it than with CPPS.

Don't get yourself worked up before you know what the problem is though, it could be nothing.

[GARYS]

Thanks for the answers! I seen my doctor and she said it sounded like a bacterial infection that is common in my small intestine. She gave me 3 Cipro extended release pills and a script for levsin (hyoscyamine). I just finished the abx and my bowel movements the past 2 days have been solid but I still feel like I need to go more often. How long should abx take before I would feel cleared up if it was an infection? I am also very gassy all the time.

[adam]

I have similar symptoms... increased frequency of bowel movements and they are soft and break up.

I have had this condition for well over a year, maybe two. Have had chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome for 3-4 years. I always attributed it to the pelvic pain. Maybe not though, huh?
Have only recently started the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol in October.

-Adam

[GARYS]

My frequency has gone away (knock on wood), and things seem to have gotten solid again for the most part. The one thing that I am left with other than fear that it will come back is a lot of discomfort in my abdomen, mainly the upper abdomen but it moves around and seems worse after a bowel movement. I have been trying to do a little self treatment and I can reproduce the pain/ discomfort. Hopefully its TPs and I can work them out.