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Taking Muralax Daily And Feeling Fullness In My Abdomen As If I'm Full Of Stool Is It Common?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Dec 2022
Question: Hello. I am a 69yr old female . I have IBS( 20yrs +). Went to my Gastro Dr. because of an issue of not feeling emptied after BM. Colonoscopy was done and it was stated that I had a stricture and he sent me to a surgeon where conversation came up about surgery( removing up to 6" of sigmoid). I then went to UVA to get second opinion. A Flouroscopy was ordered and no stricture was found. I am taking muralax daily but every evening without fail I get a fullness in my abdomen as if I'm full of stool. I have a good and complete(??) BM every morning, so I don't understand. I do have fat in abdomen and I do wonder if it's fat pressing against my gut that makes me feel as if I'm full of stool when I position my body or something else. I am now taking a colon detox and each time there is a LOT of stool when I go to bathroom, so I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever completely emptied. Going back to UVA, but it won't be until late August and I need some answers now. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Tenesmus

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Tenesmus (incomplete emptying feeling or pain like) is commonly reported symptoms of people suffering from IBS. What you have or wht you feel now is called Tenesmus. You may have had the feeling that you need to pass stools, but your bowels are already empty and you may not pass any or little stool when tried. Since Tenesmus is also symptom of rectal stricture any doctor would rule that out first.
So it may be or may not be fat that is pressing on the gut, but this feeling is common. Infections and stricture are compounding factors. If there is any compounding factor it should be treated.
If the stool is soft you should be emptying most of it that is in rectum. If you have hard stools then unlikely to empty. So to have soft stools you should add dietary fibre supplements. Treating the cause of tenesmus is the only way to manage it.
Hope you understand what I say.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (8 hours later)
I just read your reply. I mentioned I had a Fluroscopy done and no stricture was found, but you indicated that a stricture could be the cause. Confused.
doctor
Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (3 days later)
Brief Answer:
Stricture may not be cause.

Detailed Answer:
I did not say stricture as cause. I mentioned why your doctor did a fluoroscopy to rule out stricture, it's because tenesmus should always rule out first rectal stricture every time a person complains.
I said you may be emptying bowels fully so not worry. Stress n unnecessary thoughts can aggravate feeling of incomplete emptying.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. V. N. S. Parinam

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1727 Questions

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Taking Muralax Daily And Feeling Fullness In My Abdomen As If I'm Full Of Stool Is It Common?

Brief Answer: Tenesmus Detailed Answer: Hi, Tenesmus (incomplete emptying feeling or pain like) is commonly reported symptoms of people suffering from IBS. What you have or wht you feel now is called Tenesmus. You may have had the feeling that you need to pass stools, but your bowels are already empty and you may not pass any or little stool when tried. Since Tenesmus is also symptom of rectal stricture any doctor would rule that out first. So it may be or may not be fat that is pressing on the gut, but this feeling is common. Infections and stricture are compounding factors. If there is any compounding factor it should be treated. If the stool is soft you should be emptying most of it that is in rectum. If you have hard stools then unlikely to empty. So to have soft stools you should add dietary fibre supplements. Treating the cause of tenesmus is the only way to manage it. Hope you understand what I say. Thanks.