frequent bowel movements

  • Thread starter Thread starter aprilfoolgirl
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aprilfoolgirl

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Hi All. Haven't been on this board since my fusion in 2005. Doing great - no pain ever. Nothing I can't do. I had a L345 fusion. Now before you move me to the bowel or digestive board stick with me a sec. One of my major symptoms of the back problem was soft bowel movements with urgency. That cleared up well after the surgery. I have had no problems for 3 years. Recently however, I am having pretty frequent soft formed bowel movements with urgency. Some minor digestive discomfort but no other symptoms. I just had complete physical with bloodwork and all was well. No pain, no bloating, no blood in stool, some gas. My question is: has anyone with back problems had bowel symptoms? And if so what do/did you do about it?:confused:
 
I am 20 and was diagnosed with Degenerative disk in my L4/L5 and L5/S1 when I was 18. I got diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis about a month ago. Apparently, some back problems are related to bowel problems. I had some of the same symptoms and ended up having to get a procedure similar to a colonoscopy done in order to figure out what was wrong, although I did have blood in my stool.

My symptoms were different because i had bloating and bloody diarrhea but if it continues to bother you it would certainly be worth a trip to a GI doctor. good luck, hope this helped some
 
Thanks for the reply Van. Hope your symptoms settle down for you. Yes, I think my next step after I call my back surgeon and ask if something else in my back is degenerating (really don't want to do this in case answer is yes) will be a call to the GI doc. I did have a colonscopy and EGD last year and all was OK. That is why this is so annoying. I fit no symptom profile that I can find anywhere. :( :)
 
Sorry Aprilfoolgirl but I have L4-5 & S1 herniated discs, being advised of a fusion and I have many of your same symptoms. I think the two are somehow connected, I think it is related to the nerve pathways.
 
Aprilfoolgirl:
I have herniations at L3 through L5 with a previous surgery at L5 in 2003. I've been dealing with herniations at L3-L5 since Dec 2006. I have been treated for irritable bowel syndrome before but always found that by increasing my fiber intake, eating healthy, and getting my thyroid disease treated, all my bowel problems resolved. Now however, something is definitely going on with my bowels. I've had a colonoscopy which was fine. About 3 months ago I went to my GP. She prescribe Bentyl which I believe is used to reduce muscle spasms in the bowel. I'm on a high dose 2x a day plus a double dose of Immodium. I try not to use the Immodium every day unless I know I'm going to have to leave the house and a bathroom may not be easily accessible. But you could almost set a watch to me. If I eat, even if I make sure it's a small meal, I am in the bathroom 20 minutes later. My ortho doc says it isn't related but I am changing doctors soon because on my last appt he told me that appts with me waste his time since I won't let him operate on me. My chiropractor says it is definitely related. He said the next thing could be frequent urination during the night. Since the nerves that are compressed all feed the bowel, I don't see how one wouldn't affect the other.
 
Hi April,

I had an L5/S1 laminectomy/spinal fusion back in 2002. I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but more importantly, irritable bowel syndrome. That in itself is irritating. I had no clue that back pain and bowel problems could possibly be related. I'm anxious to hear more. I'm like you though--I can easily go 3-4 times a day, where as other people only go 4-5 times a week!

Stamper
 
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