Is using a LOT of toilet paper a sign something is really wrong with your gut health? How much do you use?

[weirdgrossbodies]

Not a poo troll, just at a loss as to where I can ask this. Can't imagine asking my friends. Have googled and somewhat alarmed to see that "on average" people use 6 - 8 sheets per visit to the loo, and that a number two takes an average person 3 wipes to be clean?

I thought my gut was healthy as no stomach issues, pain or anything else, regular habits etc. Things go out of whack before my period but assumed that was normal with the hormones.

But erm I use way more toilet paper for a number two? As in 15 - 20 sheets. I do have some OCD traits (as mentioned by NHS doctor not me, but not enough for an OCD diagnosis) so wonder if this is partly to do with it. But I definitely would not be properly clean at all with 3 wipes.

Is this a massive red flag my digestive system is actually sick and out of whack - that I must have "silent" food intolerances or an illness?

I have a lot of cancer in my family, including bowel cancer, and am just worried now my gut is damaged and I haven't been aware and should get a colonoscopy or something.

Lucky 🙃

Why don't people use water to wash and then dry with a sheet or two?
Scraping poo off with paper doesn't work - otherwise wouldn't you use dry wipes for babies?

I have IBS, I think. Not really constipation/diarrhoea, more horrible bloating and, since we’re all being open, not great consistency. I go the same time every morning, it comes on quite urgently, and often feels like I’m not ‘done’. So I use loads. And then I shower afterwards. My dad had UC and I worry I’ll develop it too.

I’ve tried lots of different things with my diet, which is pretty good, but nothing seems to help. I can go without food for hours and suddenly I’ll become really bloated despite not having eaten anything! It’s particularly bad after I’ve been asleep, whether for the night or after a nap. I had a nap this afternoon and 20 mins after I woke up my stomach was so uncomfortable. I’m going to look into psyllium husk as a PP suggested.

I’m similar to you, I have IBS and have bad bloating constantly even if I haven’t eaten anything. Although I also do get constipation and the runs and not great consistency

I’m so fed up of it. I’m wondering if I should try cutting out gluten and high fodmaps again, but it doesn’t leave a lot to eat.

I’d get tested via the GO for gluten intolerance if I were you, I went the hard route (don’t know why) and cut out all gluten for over a month manually and it didn’t make a difference other than make me miserable. I try to stay to a low fodmap overall

I find WindSettlers (Simeticone) good but they’re so expensive. Superdrug used to do their own version but they seem to have stopped selling them. I remember going in once to stock up and the young woman behind the till sniggered at me

Is that the same as the coeliac test or is it specifically for gluten intolerance? I was negative for coeliac.

It was to test for coeliac yeah

Another IBS sufferer here and it can vary from nothing on the first wipe to sitting there thinking the wiping will never end.

If I'm having a flare up I can go up to 10-12 times a day and feel constantly bloated and like I might need to run to the toilet at any moment. Quite miserable really.

just let the cat lick it clean, no need for paper

Have you been to the GP, or tried a low fodmap diet?

I usually need to wipe between one and three times. I use 3 sheets each time.

Me and DH get through 1 toilet roll and week between us. We do use Who Gives A Crap though so they are quite large rolls