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Do have Ibs or a pancreas problem? Please help.

Posted , 4 users are following.

sezza978
sezza978

Hello,

I am 36 and I've been suffering with my ibs for years. Usually a flare up lasts a few days or a week or so but for the past 2 months I've been suffering with daily diarrhoea. My concern is that my stool is lighter and often yellow. Not always. Sometimes it's a normal colour but mainly lighter . I'm not sure if it's oily or greasy. I do get food in it sometimes. I have awful anxiety and this did start after a very stressful event. It started as constipation then the diarrhoea which hasn't stopped. At first it would happen in the morning but now it can be 6 times a day. Immodium helps and blocks me for a day or two. I'll then have a hard stool but then the diarrhoea starts again. I've been having tummy pains but all over. I had them bad but then had a painful spasm and the tummy pain eased. I do get pain in my middle back sometimes and I suffer with acid. I have done for years but this is more like silent reflux. Burning in my throat. My anxiety is always worse in the morning. I wake up ok and within a minute the tummy starts churning and gurgling. I have a lot of wind, gas and bloating. All symptoms of ibs I know but I've never had it this bad. If my stools weren't the colour they are I'd not be stressing so much. Going the loo so much absolutely drains me. I've just started some meds to try help with the diarrhoea. I took my blood sugar at home on Thursday and it was higher than normal! That's freaking me out. Haven't tested it since as I ran out of strips. When I took the test I was extremely anxious. I took it as I felt weak and shaky and wanted to see if my blood sugar was low. I'm so fixated on thinking there is something wrong with my pancreas. My last bloods were fine and a stool sample to check for bacteria fine. If I speak to the doctor she just says it's my anxiety. I always feel so tired all the time. I've read through a few stories on here that sound like my situation but most have had lots the tests. I know my GP won't send me for tests. I'm so fed up now and can't switch off from the fear of it being my pancreas.

Sarah

🙁

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • matthew_96778
    matthew_96778 sezza978

    Posted

    Similar fears with myself, recently had a ultrasound which was all clear, have you had a ultrasound?
    • sezza978
      sezza978 matthew_96778

      Posted

      No nothing other than a routine blood test and stool sample for bacteria. What have you been experiencing? I literally have toilet fear!
  • matthew_96778
    matthew_96778 sezza978

    Posted

    Since January the 2nd it started with crazy reflux which finally settled after 2 weeks, had upper endoscopy which was clear and all this time back ache and ache on the right abdomen. Back and forth the GP and he sent me for a ultrasound which was also clear. Some strange symptoms like mucus in my stools and constipation also. Really frustrating 
    • sezza978
      sezza978 matthew_96778

      Posted

      I do get the mucus in stool with ibs. I had that all checked out years ago. I would get constipated too and just pass bloody mucus. It's common with ibs.

      Do you suffer with anxiety? My reflux flares up when I'm anxious and stressed. My doctor says it is globus but I get a burning in my throat not a lump. That's great the ultra sound was clear. That's positive. Have you had any scans?

      I'm so fed up now. Don't think I will be able to stop stressing until I've had scans etc. It's taken over my life.

    • matthew_96778
      matthew_96778 sezza978

      Posted

      Just the endoscopy and ultrasound. Going to push for a scan or go private and pay 
    • sezza978
      sezza978 matthew_96778

      Posted

      I had an endoscopy years ago. Don't think I could have one again. Hope you get a scan. Seems to be the best one for looking at your organs.

  • DJ-RN
    DJ-RN sezza978

    Posted

    It sounds to me as if you are just a bundle of nerves. Anxiety and panic disorder can cause many symptoms that mimic those of other more sinister diseases. I don’t think that your

    pancreas would cause lighter and yellowish stools. One’s liver and bile usually does that to us. I think you stated you’re not sure if your stools are fatty. If they float they contain a lot of fat and bi-products. Usually when one has episodes of diarrhea, if they’re related to the pancreas you would most likely have a blockage in one of your ducts. Where in many cases enzymes are stopped and unable to reach the small intestines to break down fat, protein, carbohydrates, starches and sugars. You would be losing weight...not gaining. Many things can effect the color and consistency of our stools. Yours just don’t sound like they’re related to the pancreas. Have you ever been diagnosed with IBS? That’s a possibility. But, we could sit here all day and talk about symptoms and not have any idea to what’s causing them. Please address your anxiety disorder and have your Dr. run tests on you. I seriously doubt that you have anything serious going on if you’ve been dealing with the same symptoms for a long period of time. If you were, something would have shown up or made its presence known by now. Try to calm down and learn some relaxation techniques. Best of luck. 

    DJ~RN

    • sezza978
      sezza978 DJ-RN

      Posted

      Hello.

      Yes I have Ibs. Just never this bad. I know exactly what you mean. I totally need to sort my anxiety out. I tried a med but it made me feel very sick so I stopped. My resent blood were fab. I ask for the results and jot them down and they were great. Theat was over 2 months ago. Just the normal blood and the liver. I know anxiety can cause chaos on your body. Just wish I could relax and stop stressing. Before the diarrhoea I was stressed about a situation. That calmed down but the diarrhoea started and now I'm stressed about that. Thank you for your reply. It's very reassuring

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