Mucus In My Stool With IBS
If you have IBS, chances are you have seen mucus in your stool at some point. If you haven’t and it suddenly appears, it can be alarming.
Any time you have a change in symptoms you should inform your doctor, but the presence of mucus in stool is usually considered normal if you have IBS.
The consistency of mucus makes it harder to pass
The first time I noticed mucus in my stool was well over a decade ago. I was having trouble going and felt like I couldn’t pass everything. I discovered the reason why it felt difficult to pass was that it was mostly mucus.
Mucus isn’t quite a solid, and it isn’t really a liquid, either. The consistency of it can make it difficult to pass. This can be a major annoyance and cause you to feel like you still need to go.
Paying attention to changing symptoms
Sometimes mucus is a sign of inflammation. It can happen before, during, or after a flare. It can be present for days, weeks, months, or years and disappear and reappear on a whim. There has been no rhyme or reason to its presence for me.
I have experienced a sudden reappearance of mucus for the first time since my last colonoscopy. Since I had several polyps removed, I tend to be very attentive to changes. I monitor my symptoms much more closely than I did before.
Hygiene and hemorrhoids
Let’s talk about something that might be a bit TMI. The presence of mucus in your stool can make cleanup a bit messier. It adds a bit more yuck factor to normal hygiene after going. It is stickier so you may want to use flushable wipes to aid in cleaning in order to feel fully clean.
The sensation of passing mucus is also a bit strange and may take longer to pass than expected. You might not be able to pass it all, and you might strain to try to pass it. This can agitate hemorrhoids, so prepare yourself to treat if you suffer from hemorrhoids.
Is mucus caused by IBS or something else?
I have noticed that I do have more cramping and a bit of a deeper burning sensation in my abdomen when mucus is present. This is also similar to the symptoms I have during a bout of gastritis, so if you haven’t had mucus in your stool before you should discuss it with your doctor to make sure it isn’t caused by another illness.
If the mucus appears to be bloody or you have a severe bout of diarrhea unlike your normal flares, you should speak to your doctor. If you have had symptoms that aren’t normal for you, you should always discuss them with your doctor. Don’t ignore red flags!
Mucus makes me spend more time in the bathroom
Whether you see mucus for the first time or the dozenth time, it can be alarming and frustrating. I get very frustrated when all I am passing is mucus. I spend a lot more time in the bathroom, and that’s always an annoyance.
Have you dealt with mucus in your stool? How did you manage? I would love to hear about your experience.
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