Question 1

If i have pencil thin stool what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

If pencil thin stool is going on for more than few days, then you need to see a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon. Physical narrowing of the anal canal or rectum needs to be ruled out.  This could mean a serious problem. So don't delay.

Question 2

Why would i have pencil thin stool after taking milk of magnesium?

Accepted Answer

After a stimulant to move your bowels the stool is released under pressure and this can help.  However if the sphincter is not relaxed then stool is forced out under pressure and it becomes pencil like.   It should be ok however as long as you are not having other problemsl.

Question 3

Does having pencil thin stool mean i have colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Anybody can pass a thin one from time to time. If this persists for more than a few days, go in and get a rectal from your physician. It's more worrisome to have the caliber decreasing gradually over time.

Question 4

Started having pencil thin stool. i'm really scared! do i have colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

You are correct in being concerned, particularly if this is a change. When the stool gets thinned like you are describing, you are concerned that there is something that is obstructing the normal pathway such as a cancer. You should have this worked up by your physician who may have you do tests like colonoscopy or ct scan.

Question 5

How long can one have a  colon obstruction from cancer (causing pencil thin stool) before it becomes fully obstructed (years, months, weeks?)estimate?

Accepted Answer

It depends on too many variables--pt's nutrition, weight, body size, other conditions, speed/aggressivity of the tumor, overall tumor burden, etc. However, this is an indicator of at least locally advanced process and need for oncology management with likely surgical intervention with end-of-life planning just in case things do not go as well as desired.

Question 6

Can miralax (polyethylene glycol) cause pencil thin stool?

Accepted Answer

Miralax (polyethylene glycol)  and other agents used for constipation should not cause pencil thin stools. I am concerned that you are requiring daily constipation medications. You need to see a gastroenterologist who then may proceed with a colonoscopy to make sure you have nothing in your colon that is causing the thin stool and you then need to discuss the issue of constipation.  Please proceed with the GI physician

Question 7

At what point do i need to worry about colon cancer? i've had pencil thin stool for a week now and can't completely empty my bowels.

Accepted Answer

It would be very unlikely for someone of your age to have colon cancer, unless there's a strong family history that would suggest a genetic predisposition for such.  However, with these pencil-thin stools, you may have an infection or inflammation within the colon which needs identification and treatment.   A CT scan and colonoscopy would be in order to investigate this.

Question 8

Burning pain after pooping.flat (not pencil thin)stool for 2 months.sometimes blood in poop.doctor did procto and ano test said its fissure and tag.also did colonoscpy report normal.is it anal cancer?.help i m 20 and male.not vaccinated against hpv?

Accepted Answer

I'm not sure why you are not listening to your doctor. There's a fissure and a tag there. These totally explain the symptoms you are having. Colonoscopy normal - super! Now focus on treating yourself.  You need to get your stools softened, get the tag removed if it hasn't been done, and then your fissure can heal. Fissures can be extremely painful if stools aren't very soft. Get going on treatment

Question 9

How wide is a normal stool? are stools that are 1-2 cm wide normal, or are they considered pencil-thin stools?

Accepted Answer

I do not know of any pencils that are 1-2 cm wide - well maybe a carpenter’s pencil. Pencil thin stools would be as thin as a common lead pencil.  If you have never seen one them maybe 1/2 as thin as your little finger or a free ball point pen you get at the bank.

Question 10

What causes occasional pencil thin stools, often the first stool in a bm is normal diameter, but everything else is increasingly thinner?  concerning?

Accepted Answer

Most likely for a person who is 19 year old and has no other sign or symptoms i would not be worried.
Irritable bowel syndrome which is very common can be blamed.
This also has been described in colon cancer but cancer is a disease which affects people over 50.

Pencil thin stool

If i have pencil thin stool what does that mean?

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Why would i have pencil thin stool after taking milk of magnesium?

Does having pencil thin stool mean i have colon cancer?

Started having pencil thin stool. i'm really scared! do i have colon cancer?

How long can one have a colon obstruction from cancer (causing pencil thin stool) before it becomes fully obstructed (years, months, weeks?)estimate?

Can miralax (polyethylene glycol) cause pencil thin stool?

At what point do i need to worry about colon cancer? i've had pencil thin stool for a week now and can't completely empty my bowels.

Burning pain after pooping.flat (not pencil thin)stool for 2 months.sometimes blood in poop.doctor did procto and ano test said its fissure and tag.also did colonoscpy report normal.is it anal cancer?.help i m 20 and male.not vaccinated against hpv?

How wide is a normal stool? are stools that are 1-2 cm wide normal, or are they considered pencil-thin stools?

What causes occasional pencil thin stools, often the first stool in a bm is normal diameter, but everything else is increasingly thinner? concerning?

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