White mucus in stool and I am so SCARED!!!

[Mike L 84]

Hi everyone. Even moderators have scary moments. This morning my stool was short and hard pieces that had mucus on them. I am so scared. Has anyone had this?

[JOYCICLE 654]

YES~  Everyone has had that at some time or another. Seek a therapist

[Mark G 1177]

Perfectly normal.  As far as i know, the mucus helps move solid stools through the bowel.  I get that sometimes.

[ECR917 4]

I have IBS-D and I get mucus in my stool from time to time. I know people who do not even have IBS and get it sometimes. I would not stress over that!

[Gilly 1083]

8 hours ago, Mark G said:

Perfectly normal.  As far as i know, the mucus helps move solid stools through the bowel.  I get that sometimes.

Yes, exactly this. Mucous is a normal function, excess mucous can indicate the bowel is working hard, typically IBS or constipation, hard stools. 

If you poke your finger up your nose, there is a strong chance it will come out with a booger on the end, nasal mucous. Ladies have it at times and places you don't want to know about! We, as humans are mucous-y You are a normal human Rosa!

[Mike L 84]

This morning I did not go at all. Yesterday at 4pm (my time) I went and I never go at that time. It was just soft formed pieces that for lack of better words, fell out of me. I am scared these bowel changes are bad. 

[Mark G 1177]

Mine are the same recently.  Bowel changes can be caused by various reason and the most common is nothing at all.  Stress will certainly move the regularity into irregularity.  I can hazard a guess that you were ruminating over this all of yesterday.  The worry tightened the stomach muscles up preventing free movement to the colon.  You then didn't go this morning so the fear started to intensify which in turn pumped adrenalin into your system which caused the 'falling out'.  Part of the fight or flight reaction is for the bowels to be emptied as quickly as possible in order to lighten the body and allow you to run faster.  soft formed pieces are EXACTLY the way it should be.  It's a myth that long formed stools are the healthiest when in fact it usually signifies mild dehydration.   Try not to let react to these fearful thoughts, your body will sort itself out without your conscious intervention.

[Mike L 84]

Thank you. I have noticed that sometimes the tip of the stool is hard with the mucus. I feel like I want to cry because I am so scared I will leave my baby girl behind. Earlier this year, I had a CT and MRI for what turned out to be a fatty liver. On the CT, for the bowel, it said "no obstruction or bowel wall thickening", but that doesn't mean no c****r. The DI did a rectal and said there was no blood. 

[Mark G 1177]

Well that tells you that all is well in the bowel.  There is always going to be fluctuation in toilet times from day to day.  Sometimes it's dietary based, sometimes it's stress and sometimes it's just the way it is, lack of sleep etc.  Trying to find answers constantly will just deplete your energy and make you feel mentally tired.

I feel like I want to cry because I am so scared I will leave my baby girl behind.

This is catastrophising scenario's and buying into beliefs they spew up.  There is no evidence that anything is wrong, tests prove this yet that future thought brings that fear and it's that fear which leads to these thoughts.  Vicious circle.

 I have noticed that sometimes the tip of the stool is hard with the mucus

This is entirely normal.  The tip is hardened because it interacts with air far more than the rest of it so dries out a bit, the mucous counteracts it.  Thats normal bodily function.

It's the interaction with these erroneous thoughts which creates more thoughts.  The 2nd fear that ignites the adrenalin and that rush of fear throughout the body.  When these thoughts come in, let go, let them go, visualise yourself holding on to them then just letting them go like a helium balloon.  As little interaction with them as possible.  Try not to gaze into the toilet inspecting what's there either,  that validates the anxiety.  Breathing exercise, mindfulness and other relaxation techniques may help you a lot.  

[Mike L 84]

Today is the second day I haven't gone when I woke up and I am freaking out. 

[Mark G 1177]

Ok this is most likely because you're so tense.  It's perfectly normal for this to happen.  I had to wait 2 days last week and i'm usually regular.  The more you freak, the higher the probability that it will remain for longer.   Relaxation techniques will aid in it's movement.  Have you had enough fibre in your diet recently? 

[buzzy 0]

I agree with what others have said.  They anxiety and stress you are feeling over this is probably making it worse.

The CT and MRI would most likely catch c****r in the stomach/abdominal area if it were present.  At least that is what my GP has told me over and over.

I am far from one to give great advice since I am a health anxiety mess myself but I would try and relax and give it a few days.

 

[Mike L 84]

The past couple of days my stools have been hard and lumpy. Also multi colored, dark and light brown mixed. I haven't had any diet soda this weenend and no sudden urges to go. Last weekend, I had a Diet Pepsi, and almost a few minutes later, went to the bathroom at a time I never go which scared me itself, but it was super long. Like a foot. I am so scared of all of these bowel changes.