Could this be IBS??

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi all, I started suffering from Health Anxiety April this year after I panicked when my blood pressure dropped after applying some  ointment. 

The first couple of months suffered from the common Anxiety symptoms especially dizziness.

Mid June I started having mushy stools . Only probably going once a day twice max.

That lasted for about 4 weeks. 

Had blood tests & stool tests & come back fine. They put it down to Acute Diarrhoea. I lost a bit of weight during the process.

Anyway stools went pretty much back to normal for about 3 weeks. 

Then one weekend went out for a meal( a curry) and had 3 beers & a Wkd. The following morning within 40 months minutes I had 4 bowel movements. 

1st one normal,

2nd small round mushy ,

3rd mushy again

4th watery.

Since then I go probably only once a day, odd time twice.

But it’s still mushy.😫 I’m being careful with what I eat, but still not forming right. It’s been nearly 3 weeks now😫.

I don’t really suffer from abdominal pains, just a slight niggle here and there.

I’m worried it’s something serious. 

As a lot of people seem to suffer from pains with IBS.

Could it be IBS? How long can this last? 

Worried about the obvious 😢

Take Care all xx

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey Jodie.  I have the diarrhoea type of IBS.  An Attack starts with bloating, followed by severe cramps that usually lasts a couple of hours, then finally diarrhoea for another couple of hours.  It stops when the offending food that I ate is out of my system. So a curry would definitely trigger an Attack for me.  There is this carb called FODMAPS which are found in many fruit and vegetables and people with IBS seem to have trouble digesting them.  Please go read up on this.  Search Low FODMAPS diet by Monash University.  This diet has helped people with IBS. Also you could try taking probiotics daily. I take Pro-Gut three times a day with my meals.   Hope you feel better soon. biggrin
    • Posted

      Hi Lorraine thanks for replying 😊 I don’t get any pain pain if that makes sense? Also can it last this long? Worried about something wrong with pancreas😢  the past couple of months I’ve eaten a lot of fruit & veg. Well more than normal.

      Xx

    • Posted

      IBS for some people never goes away totally. Mine started 3 years ago. I've learned to manage it with supplements and being very careful with my diet. Used to eat lots of veg but now I stick to those that are low in FODMAPS. Als

    • Posted

      Also Jodie, stress and worry is probably triggering the IBS. I've noticed that many of us IBS sufferers are stressed and have anxiety issues. I know I am definitely one of them. ?? So I've been trying yoga and meditation to calm down and relax more. But I totally understand how you feel. Go get the necessary tests done to allay your worries & fears if that's what you need to do. 

    • Posted

      Yes I agree. I never had any troubles really, well I wasn’t an everyday girl & odd time a little constipation but the formation was always ok. Just since this Anxiety it’s like everything going wrong. So I’m hoping it’s just that. I might ask for an colonoscopy on Monday when I go Drs. Just to make sure & ask about another scan on pancreas. I’ve had 2 ultrasound on pelvis area & upper abdomen area and kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen etc come back fine. Also all blood tests have come back fine too. Also stool tests. But was tested again last week which will find out Monday. Yesterday was the first time my stools were formed better together ( not like mushy cow pat). But was like a dark green colour, but the day before I did have a blue slush puppy. I don’t have an appetite but make sure I eat, only small amounts though.I try little & often.

      I feel that once I get the reassurance on to why this & that happening, I will have to except it’s anxiety related & learn to deal with it head on. 

      Thanks Lorraine xx

  • Posted

    I have IBS-D and it snuck up on me slowly with minor and occasional symptoms then it turned into full blown IBS.  I have been following the FODMAP diet mentioned below.  It got my diarrhea under control quickly.  Also anxiety and stress effect my IBS.
    • Posted

      Hi Anne, thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about that you are suffering from IBS-D. Yes think I will look that up. Yes anxiety seems to trigger a lot unfortunately ☹️ 

      Take care Xx

  • Posted

    Everyone’s IBS is different.  Mine started with constipation and raging abdominal pain that was not connected to food.  Mine was stress related.  Sometimes I have had severe stomach cramps and nausea and severe diarrhoea only at other tines.
  • Posted

    You are welcome I learned about the diet from this site.  I have to phone apps so I can look any food items at any point in the day.  It helped me identify which foods to eat and which to avoid.
  • Posted

    "Acute Diarrhea" could very well be Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM). That's a condition I learned about this week and for which I am soon going to be tested, after one year of being MISdiagnosed with "IBS-M". IBS doesn't cause malabsorption issues...

    Make an appointment with a gastroenterologist and ask for a Fecal Fat Test to exclude exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and a SeHCAT scan to check for BAM.

    I hope you feel better soon!

    • Posted

      Hi Carlem, thanks for replying 😊 Thanks for that information. I will my Gp on Monday. 

      Really appreciate this info. Thanks.

      Take Care xx

  • Posted

    It might be that the stress and anxiety that you've dealt with had a great impact. My triggers are anxiety and stress and I get yah...

    Have you had a second opinion? If so, you migh want to try the low fodmap diet. 

     

    • Posted

      Hi Taniiee, Thanks for your reply 😊 sorry to hear you suffer from this horrible illness.

      I’ve had stool tests for celiac, parasites, Calprotectin basically all the obvious ones. I sent another one off last week which I’ve got my appointment on Monday (tomorrow) to see what the outcome is. But apart from that nothing, when I had the loose stools that lasted about a month, and had tests done etc... went back Drs which by then I was having normal B/M for about 1week so the Dr said it could of been a bug, but when stools were tested the bug basically went but left you with the back lash. The first Dr at the hospital said probably acute Diarrhoea as the stool tests & blood samples came back clear.

      But then after it cleared 3 weeks later it started again. Again lasted around 3 weeks. I’ve only had 1 B/M ( yesterday) where it formed better. Haven’t been today. So don’t know how it’ll be.

      And yes I’ve downloaded an app for Low FODMAP but need to start doing it. I’m careful with what I eat. Don’t really have an appetite.

      I’ll see what the Dr says tomorrow. Might ask for further tests like colonoscopy? Scan? I don’t know what’s best as I don’t want to ask Dr Google if you know what I mean. 

      Take care xx

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