This isn't the only symptom i'm having. I am also having frequent bowel movements that are often difficult to pass, particularly at the tail end of the bowel movement. I often have a normal one in the morning, and then frequent small ones 5-10 more times during the day. I often have a feeling of incomplete evacuation that is not imaginary (since I can often return later to pass whatever is there, and there is usually "residual" that I have to wipe away with toilet paper). If I strain, it sometimes makes it worse and I just leave and come back later. As long as I eat a ton of fiber, and take a stool softener daily, my stools are not hard (though they are not at all liquid, either), and I do have bowel movements daily. However, the difficulty evacuating completely and without straining (even when the stools are soft), as well as the noise of it (like a long and very loud bugle), is interfering with my daily routine somewhat. I used to be able to pass gas and use the restroom quietly. I am not sure if this noisiness is because of a tighter space in my rectum, or for other reasons. I am taking a medication with gi side effects. I saw a gi doc who did a manual rectal exam and barium enema and suggested it was ibs. However, I do not have abdominal cramping or pain. I do not have a pre-existing history of bowel problems that predates the medication. Any suggestions? What has and hasn't been ruled out by the tests that were done? Could a medicine cause all of these various symptoms? Thanks! --saf