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5 replies

Lower back pain & 'long, skinny' stools?

Jamie_Jamie_Member
Hey folks, I haven't been on in awhile. I've had my pouch for close to 10 years now and in general, things have been ok aside from some mild complications. Anyway, about 6 weeks ago I fell on the ice and landed directly on my tailbone. Immediately I worried about my pouch. However, things seemed fine... no bleeding, bowel movements were normal, etc, except for lower back pain. However, over the past week or two, I've noticed that my stools seem 'skinny', 'long' and 'thin'. Not sure how else to describe it. Besides the back pain and unusual stools, there are no other symptoms. Should I be concerned or am I just being paranoid? (I moved to Halifax, NS from Ottawa, ON (Canada) about 4 years ago and haven't seen a GI since I moved here.) Thanks for your help.
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Jamie_Jamie_Member
Hi Scott,
No I'm not taking meds for back pain... but you helped me think about something else: I am taking meds for hypertension (Ramipril) and after doing some investigation, I discovered that one of the side-effects can be back pain (resulting from a change in kidney/liver absorption). Interesting... I will check with my doctor about this. It might account for the other changes I've noticed. Thanks for helping me think!
Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
I get those kind of stools when I am a bit dehydrated or have not eaten fruits or vegetables recently (too much starch). Remember, you don't have a rectum or colon for "shaping." I doubt that your ACE inhibitor would be causing back pain or the stool changes, but anything is possible. A bruised tailbone however, could cause some local swelling near your anus, causing some spasming of the sphincters. You could even have fractured that tailbone, as falling on the ice is a common cause.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medline...tructions/000573.htm

Regardless, if this pain is ongoing, a call to your doc is in order.

Jan Smiler
Jamie_Jamie_Member
Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for your feedback & suggestions. I really appreciate it. I went to see my regular doctor today and he is going to try to set up a follow-up appt with a GI specialist. I'm due for a check-up anyway after all this time. He is reducing my hypertension meds in the meantime... but what you are suggesting about a bruising/fracture of the spine could be correct. The pain seems to be 'apart' from the pouch but in the same general area. As for the thin stools, I admit that I've been eating more starch than usual. I'll definitely adjust my diet. Thanks again

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