Does this sound like IBD? Or more like IBS?

Posted , 2 users are following.

I am a 23 year old male. A little over a year ago, right after we moved, I began having recurrent runs, I wont get graphic but they were very explosive, a lot of mucus and watery sometimes even pure water. They were one and done most times though. I would have a blowout after a couple hours of bad cramps and be fine the next day. completely normal bowel movement etc. this happened about once or twice a month for about 10 months and then suddenly got much more frequent about once a week for a month and then it got better. I went about three months with minor cramps and no episodes and then it returned once at Christmas (maybe alot of food i dont normally eat?) since then I had another blowout a couple months later and once a month after that.

I have been to my pcp, he did a lot of bloods and took a stool sample, the sample was normal, the only oddity in my blood was mildly low B12, so he tested me for the celiac gene, that cane back negative as well. My B12 has since returned to normal (low normal) without treatment. He said he thinks i have IBS given that my symptoms tend to be eased by a movement (according to him Chrons would continue to be painful after a movement) and the fact my inflammatory markers were low. (he said often times if someone with Chrons is having a flare up their markers will be 70-80 on whatever metric they use. mine was 6)

I guess i just want input from those who live with IBD because the symptoms seem very much to overlap and I am concerned about something more. Like i said the cramps can really hurt but mostly go away (besides a residual muscle pain) after a movement. The movements are very loose and watery and have even dissolved before it was so loose. then literally the next day or day after completely back to normal. Sometimes I will have bad cramps and only a tiny amount of loose stool that relieves it. I have been under alot of stress the last year and i know that contributes to IBS and it started after moving so there was a major change there. Just looking for opinions.

look i understand that it most likely is IBS, my doctor does know his stuff and has done pretty much every test but a CT or colonoscopy. On top of that I understand that IBS is very common and IBD is rare. I just am worried about some condition sneaking up on me as i have seen family have that happen before.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Get a colonoscopy to confirm IBS. If it is then consult a dietician for a food menu.

    • Posted

      that really doesnt answer or give much insight by itself to what im asking. My doctor also said my symptoms dont warrant a colonoscopy given i have no weightloss, blood shows no inflammation, symptoms go away after gas or stool passing and there was no blood in stool. While i do worry i have to agree with him there. That would be like performing an appendix removal for minor right abdominal pain with no otger symptoms. yes on paper it somewhat lines up but there is no evidence supporting anything more.

      on top if that with IBS i wouldnt even consult a dietitian. I would work on stress etc.

  • Posted

    any input from those with experience would be helpful

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