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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you a very personal question?

67 replies

verypersonalquestion · 14/09/2017 23:57

Literally- how many times a day do normal, healthy people shit? Blush

I've started going 4/5 times a day. Sometimes more. Not very solid either. Sorry TMI I know. But I'm now wondering why. Is this even an issue?

I think I have a good diet-

Breakfast- porridge with banana
Lunch- hummus sandwich, two more portions of fruit or veg, sometimes a small chocolate bar, ie, kit Kat.

Snack- cereal bar/ slice of toast/ etc...

Dinner- burger and a few onion rings, corn on the cob, peas

Is my diet shit?

So AIBU to ask your opinion on whether this is normal AND if it's not, do I need to go to the doctors?

Thank you Grin

OP posts:
TrunkiTrailer · 14/09/2017 23:59

I've only gone that often when I have had a stomach upset.

I usually go once every other day. Sometimes once a day. Never more when well. Always solid (unless hungover!).

Do you drink fizzy drinks? That can cause bowel problems.

SerfTerf · 14/09/2017 23:59

Anything between 3 times a day and 3 times a week is considered "normal range".

SerfTerf · 15/09/2017 00:01

The main thing is if it's a recent change, it's not "normal for YOU".

You're not taking any supplements containing magnesium, are you?

ArseHair · 15/09/2017 00:01

Worth getting any changes in bowel habits checked out, OP.

Lovingmybear2 · 15/09/2017 00:02

Op any change to toilet functions that persists needs to be checked out.

Book a GP appointment to check all is ok.

redsquirrel2 · 15/09/2017 00:02

Go to the doctors. Don't ask random strangers. FWIW that seems like rather a lot.

BeepBeepMOVE · 15/09/2017 00:05

Once every morning, sometimes later on if I've eaten a lot or been drinking the day before.

GreatFuckability · 15/09/2017 00:06

i have IBD and i shit about 30 times a day during a bad spell. if this is a change for you, then you should see someone about it.

TeatimeForTheSoul · 15/09/2017 00:14

If this started after a course/courses of antibiotics you may want to try taking a course of 'healthy gut bacteria' to get things back to your 'normal'

Italiangreyhound · 15/09/2017 00:14

I have IBS and sometimes go twice a day. I think what you are describing sounds a lot.

Take a look at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_stool_scale

I think maybe you should talk to your GP.

SusanTheGentle · 15/09/2017 00:19

I'm a once a day sort, but it's the change for you that's weird here. I think a GP appointment is in order - probably worth saying they'll need a sample and organising to provide that in advance, too.

GetOutOfMYGarden · 15/09/2017 00:23

If that's a change, then it's time to speak to your doctor.

As for my answer, it varies according to the time of the month. One to three per day really.

LittlePaintBox · 15/09/2017 00:25

Once a day unless I'm having an IBS flare up.

This is one of the things you're meant to see your GP about if it keeps up. You may get referred for tests which are completely inconclusive, but there are some conditions that can be diagnosed and treated.

Windytwigs · 15/09/2017 00:31

Do you drink coffee /eat chocolate or intake other caffeinated products? They all affect it.
I had this happen too, although nothing is wrong (I was checked for an unrelated reason) and found a combination of foods affect me now I'm that bit older, which didn't before. Some ppl have a bacteria in their stomach which causes intolerance, but I think you need a pinch biopsy then antibiotics to clear it.
Try a fire supplement, they can help get you back to fewer, more solid movements. Smile but check it out if you're worried.

pennysnow · 15/09/2017 00:41

Runny poo 4-5 times a day is not normal imo. I personally go every day, usually once, and it's usually fairly normal. I occasionally have constipation if I am dieting or not drinking enough water, but it usually goes back to normal after a week. Very rarely do I get runny poo unless I have a tummy bug!

The way you eat sounds OK, so it could something else; maybe IBS, or a bacterial infection, or possibly something more serious, that could be cured if it's picked up early enough.

Go see your doctor. Smile

QuestionableMouse · 15/09/2017 00:45

I get like that when I'm due on.

halesie · 15/09/2017 06:23

Has anything else changed for you recently, e.g. New job / family changes / bereavement? IBS can be caused by stress, for example. But could be something more sinister so please do see your GP asap.
A friend has just died of bowel cancer in her 30s (took two years to get a diagnosis -Doctor thought she was too young, her symptoms were caused by pregnancy etc) - it's so important to check it out asap.
Hope it's nothing serious and your habits go back to (your) normal soon.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 15/09/2017 06:34

Go to your doctor. I cant go to the loo and only have a wee, its completely involuntary as i have IBS/Suspected IBD. Doesn't matter if i go for a wee twice a day , 3 times, 4 times or if i have a UTI, 7 or 8 times, i will have a bowel movement every single time. Not a pleasant/normal one either, so the massive amount of clean up needed there ends up being a lot of dry chapped skin, little tears, lots of bleeding and pain.
Even imodium doesn't always stop me going, and the rare times when it does theres still passing of a fair amount of mucus.

If any of that is relevant to you, go see your doctor. I didn't develop these problems tim after i was done with highschool so it isn't always something there from birth, it could be IBS, i could be IBD, or, it could be something like bowel cancer, either way, you need to see your doctor, ignoring symptoms won't do you any good.

Billben · 15/09/2017 07:10

Go and see your doctor. By the time they started investigating my frequent toilet visits I've had a burst perianal fistula and was subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's.

CalmanOnSpeeddial · 15/09/2017 07:13

Yeah, the key phrase is "I've started". If there's no obvious explanation for the change then it needs checking out.

50ShadesOfEarlGrey · 15/09/2017 07:35

I feel blessed if I manage once a day! DH on same intake goes three times a day.
The only 'normal' is what is usual for the individual. This is abnormal for you and you should definitely make an appointment with your GP. Lots of possible reasons. Don't delay make an appointment today!

Anymajordude · 15/09/2017 07:36

Always get unexplained changes in bowel habits checked out.

frumpety · 15/09/2017 08:01

Another saying go to your Doctor to get this investigated OP .

KityGlitr · 15/09/2017 08:05

Go see your doctor about any changes!

I normally go every two or three days, occasionally I will go four days. I'm on meds that slow your bowel down but I've never been more than two or three times per week my whole life. I'm always surprised when I hear of people going multiple times per day but I know twice per day can be normal for some.

Notanothergiraffe · 15/09/2017 08:07

Once a day unless I am having an IBS flare up when it can be 10-15 times which is not fun 😬