Obsessive Stool Checking

[LeeRoy83]

Can anybody relate to this and how you help break the cycle? I had a stomach bug back in March and it’s still not fully settled back to 100%. Docs ran some stool tests, calprotectin was raised slightly but retested normal, I did my own home fit which was negative, blood tests all within range, celiac screen negative. Doc and a GI have both said it’s likely PI IBS. Waking up with a morning rush isn’t something new to me, had it for years on and off.

My main lingering issue is the constant checking of stools, panicking when there’s food skins like tomato and peppers, shining my phone light on the stools and even handling them. I know how ridiculous it is and tell myself just wipe, quick glance at the paper and move on, but it’s a tough cycle to break, but it drives me mad. Otherwise Healthy 41 year old male.

[NoraB]

I know how ridiculous it is

It is. But you're certainly not on your own. I've lost count of the times I've trawled through my own poo with a magnifying glass, let alone the torch on my phone!

tell myself just wipe, quick glance at the paper and move on, but it’s a tough cycle to break, but it drives me mad

Poo.
Wipe bum.
Courtesy glance in the pan as you flush. (Because that's normal. Whereas getting down on your hands and knees and trawling through your poo like it's forensic evidence in a crime scene is not)

You created a checking habit and it will take time a little time to break it, but you'll do it.

[LeeRoy83]

It is. But you're certainly not on your own. I've lost count of the times I've trawled through my own poo with a magnifying glass, let alone the torch on my phone!



Poo.
Wipe bum.
Courtesy glance in the pan as you flush. (Because that's normal. Whereas getting down on your hands and knees and trawling through your poo like it's forensic evidence in a crime scene is not)

You created a checking habit and it will take time a little time to break it, but you'll do it.

You’re spot on Nora with your advice. I think it’s slow and steady to break the cycle.

The magnifying glass is a new one, never thought of that ha! The trawling through like a crime scene is so accurate, I always think if somebody walked in what they’d think and how ridiculous it would look! I remember having a phase of doing it about 14 years ago and obviously just again recently!

[NoraB]

The magnifying glass is a new one, never thought of that ha!

Magnifying glass, my camera on macro mode... dignity goes flying out the bathroom window.

I always think if somebody walked in what they’d think and how ridiculous it would look!

That's actually a good tool to use - humour. If you get the urge to check, imagine someone walking in on you. Make the scenario as funny as you can because humour is a very good antidote to fear...