Pencil like stools

[Joanna]

I have been having frequent pencil like stools. Is this something that can happen with mc. Or should I be worried. I was diagnosed 7 years ago with celiac and mc, had many flair ups with D but for the past few months I ocasionally have very long pencil like stools. Anyone else ever experience this.

[Betsbrooks]

I have these off and on now and am interested to hear from others also. I'm a few months in to diet modification after being diagnosed in March, and I haven't had D since I stopped gluten, dairy, soy and eggs. I have some Normans interspersed with what I call mini-Normans and the pencil shaped type. I was thinking it indicates an intermediate stage of healing, but not sure.

[Chemgirl]

I have had that off and on, especially when I've eaten something I know I shouldn't. I think it can happen when there is inflammation.

However, it can be a sign of bigger problems so it might be worth investigating further if it happens a lot.

[tex]

Hi Joanna,

I agree with both of the responses. That's actually very common for some of us and it sometimes occurs during recovery as a transition stage (between D and N). If you had D previously, it's a sign of healing progress. If you previously had normal BMs, it's a sign that cross-contamination may have entered your diet, but of course there can also be other possible reasons.

Tex

[Joanna]

Thank you for your replys. It sounds like it could be part of recovery signs because I had a bought of D just before. Having celiac and MC is a constant work in progress for sure. my stools are very seldom consistent. Celiac is one issue, MC another. Always trying to always stay positive. Since my diagnosis and many flair ups it has definitely made me more aware of my body and what I'm putting into it.

[Erica P-G]

I'm glad I read this post, I have been wondering what a transition stage of BM would be if healing was present.

I can finally say I am starting to heal, it is a slow boat to China, but I am noticing it. In three weeks I will have my Enterolab results too...that ought to really help me with my food choices.

Thanks for bringing this up!
Erica

[JLH]

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... acebookdoc

[maestraz]

I really try not to get too hung up on that. In the course of a day, I can have a really normal BM first thing in the AM, then the next time thinner, the next time looser. I could drive myself crazy if I fixated on every BM having to be "perfect."