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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Would A Strict Vegan X 4 Years Have Very Thick Feces For The Last Few Months?

Why would a strict vegan x 4 years have very thick feces for the last few months? Virtually odorless, but very, very painful. About a month ago, I had tiny pebble-like feces for a week or so. I eat about 30 grams of fiber per day, but lately I kicked it up to over 40 grams and added 10 grams of a chewable fiber supplement and 1/4 cup mix of uncooked steel cut oat/millet/wheat groats. I drink a lot of water, green tea daily, 3-4 soy lattes a month. 49 year old Bl female; haven t had any gi cancer testing - waiting on first fecal occult test kit.
Tue, 4 Feb 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Fiber rich diet and fluid intake prevents constipation and maintains good bowel motion.
However, despite all these preventive measures appearance of constipation can occur due to other reasons.
Occult stool blood test is quite appropriate.
This test can be followed by lower gastro-intestinal tract endoscopy (LI endoscopy).
LI endoscopy will view the large bowel and will find out any lesion, ulceration, stricture or growth in the lower GI tract.
Painful defecation can also be due to local lesion in the anal canal like anal fissue, ulcer etc.
Local examination by the doctor will tell about this investigation.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Why Would A Strict Vegan X 4 Years Have Very Thick Feces For The Last Few Months?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Fiber rich diet and fluid intake prevents constipation and maintains good bowel motion. However, despite all these preventive measures appearance of constipation can occur due to other reasons. Occult stool blood test is quite appropriate. This test can be followed by lower gastro-intestinal tract endoscopy (LI endoscopy). LI endoscopy will view the large bowel and will find out any lesion, ulceration, stricture or growth in the lower GI tract. Painful defecation can also be due to local lesion in the anal canal like anal fissue, ulcer etc. Local examination by the doctor will tell about this investigation. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal