WHAT CAUSES FLATTENED SHAPE BESIDES SOME KIND OF CYST OR TUMOR? My DR said the shape of a bowl movement didn't necessarily mean anything however assorted blood tests, sigmoidoscopy and possible CAT scan were ordered. I used to have hard dry balls and began to have pain in upper left abdomen below ribs and acid reflux. After lots of tests couldn't find anything, took various acid blockers, modified diet, and started stretches and deep massage bodywork. Bodywork and drinking a large glass of water first thing in the AM changed BM to softer "tube shape". Was able to stop all medication and have been fine for about 5 years with only a few episodes of acid reflux.

Pain in upper left is back again intermittently and have noticed bowl movements are consistently flattened.