Perplexing poopage

Yes, I know the title is a bit on the corny side.

Fine, so it's heavily corny, but I find this is something I cannot correct from myself, so bear with me. Because now, I present to you health experts and those with an extensive knowledge of most bodily functions, an odd question raised by my aunt just a few minutes ago...

"Why do you poop so often?"

I notice that regularity should be a sign of healthiness or whatnot, but I've taken some of this into consideration because 1. she is a pediatrician, and 2. according to her, the rate/frequency of my bowel movement is unusual.

Also, I'm asking because she then conceded by telling me she "doesn't know what the **** is wrong with me."

History of this abnormality:

• When I restricted myself to 500kcal/day, I pooped pellets or zilch four times a week.
• I started exercising, which raised this to pellets everyday.
• Then I ate 1200kcal/day, and the pellets went from everyday to thrice a week.
• Then I became underweight (BMI 17.2), and started eating more and continued exercising, but making sure net calories were 2000kcal/day. Still rabbit poop.
• Two months later, my BMI hit 19, and my poop went back to the normal type of such, and my bowel movements varied from twice to thrice a day.
• Now, I poop after every meal. The size never matters, and it always happens thirty minutes to an hour after I finish a meal. I also poop right after I wake up and haven't eaten anything yet. Total per day? 4-6 bowel movements a day.

Additionally, and unrelated— I find that my stomach gets monstrous cramps if it hasn't had any food in it for three hours straight. I find this should be odd, since I once went on a dare to go ten days sans solids and survived nary a cramp nor ache. Although, I wouldn't recommend it— the sluggishness and dizzying spells aside, we all know how extremely unhealthy a pure liquid diet is.

So... anyone know what could be potentially wrong with me? I'm so weirded out over here.

I couldn't help but reply...I am by no means an expert, but I have some of the earlier "issues" you are describing.

How much fiber is in your daily diet? You should track it. You might be eating too much. Check with your doctor to see what the recommended amount is.

Also, do you have IBS? This might also be an issue to discuss with your doctor.

Original Post by hobo2103:

I couldn't help but reply...I am by no means an expert, but I have some of the earlier "issues" you are describing.

How much fiber is in your daily diet? You should track it. You might be eating too much. Check with your doctor to see what the recommended amount is.

Also, do you have IBS? This might also be an issue to discuss with your doctor.

No IBS, no history of any bowel movement abnormality aside from what I've already mentioned, and I don't even take a fiber supplement! I'm what you call a "semi-veg", and eat an ovo-vegetarian diet.

Although, I have had a history of incontinence and lactose intolerance. Might be related? I don't consume dairy, so I highly doubt it, but just putting it all out there in case someone can put the pieces together and this happens to fit somewhere.

I dont know if there is anything specifically wrong with you. But since you have a history of varied eating patterns it could be something. Sorry I can't give you more info. 

Are the poops uncomfortable before, during or afterwards?  Do you think your body is absorbing enough of the nutrients before you poop it out?

I would try to get your eating habits in a healthy pattern over a long period of time and it might settle itself.

I get rabbit poo because my colon gets a little constricted in certain areas, usually due to stress. So instead of it coming out in a solid form, the contriction in my colon only allows a little bit out at a time.

Good luck.

Certain sources say that you should poop after every meal, ideally! A bit inconvenient, perhaps, but maybe something to keep in mind.

Also, you didn't mention how much water you drink, but remember that this is an important factor in how much / what types of BMs... especially in relation to how much fiber you eat. I'm sure you know that though, sorry I can't be of more help!

honestly, I am kind of jealous

Actually, i have a long history similar to yours but mine had never been like rabbits' but i do go very often...like 4 times a day. I think its just because the body is thinking...''there is not enough space for all the food, lets get rid of them!'' i think its partly why after long excessive restriction, its hard to gain because the body just does not know how to deal with all the food...but the system will get back to normal as in 1-2 a day.

I was reading about poop last week (...never though I'd say THAT...) and many websites said that, although most people go about once per day, some people go after every meal -- it means you're getting plenty of fibre, I think. 

I wouldn't personally be worried about it, but if a pediatrician is, maybe you could go see your doctor?

http://www.blogs.insidetoronto.com/naturopath ic_perspectives/digestion-and-elimination/hea lthy-bowel-movements/

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/gettingdiagno sed/a/stools.htm

Hope those help!