IBS advice?

The evidence suggests you aren't drinking enough water and perhaps not getting enough fibre. Hard stool indicates that the digestive system has removed all the moisture from the waste. The soft ending can happen because the backup caused by the hard stool disrupts normal passage and causes other waste to sit behind the dam, building acid etc. So, try water, eat carrots and try to keep calm and relaxed in addition to the other changes you are making in your lifestyle. 

I have gallstones and am waiting to have my gallbladder removed. Before I was diagnosed with gallstones the GP thought it was either gallstones or IBS so the symptoms are obviously similar.

I have hard stools, also stomach cramps and pain in my right side.

I am on a low fat diet and I would suggest you didi the same. It's pretty boring but anything fatty sets me off again with pain again

Hope this settles down

Take care

Sarah

I have found if I get chicken out of my diet I am fine bits worth a try

HAVE YOU HUGE GAS IN ABDOMEN??

Hi Beth.

I was diagnosed with IBS about 7 yrs ago and yes like you I have hard stools ending mucusy. I am a terrible eater just because I go days without eating and then when I do I eat next to nothing so thats not helpful but what I do find helpful is I take vitamn C & zinc tablets. Its not a great suggestion but it helps me most times...diet is the best way along with excercise but due to other heatlh issues I find it difficult.Hope this helps..

this is a common side effect of constipation as had been said, as the faeces backs up, and in an attempt to relieve the constipation your body reduces the amount of water it absorbs from the stool meaning you get soft stools behimd the solid bit. if it get really bad you can get overflow diarrhoea, where the stool turns to liquid and seep round the blockage.

try increasing the soluble fibre in your diet, keep up the water and exercise