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Ibs or something else?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Dja427
Dja427

am a 21 year old male who has experienced symptoms of ibs(I hope) since April 2017. It all started with ONE single episode of bright red blood in the toilet bowl(I also felt a pop and was likely straining so I assumed internal hemmoroids). Let's just say that that never happened again and was isolated. Fast forward probably about a month when I had blood on the toilet paper(same color as like a bloody nose and probably a similar amount). At this point it felt like hemmoroids that I got consistently like this for about two weeks until it stopped(there was a single time where there was bright red blood on the outside of the stool but no other time). Then I had a week of normal until i got blood on the toilet paper for a few days(prep H made this all better every time). The thing is after this ALL of the bleeding stopped and for months now my movements have been very inconsistent. I would have loose stools one day and constipation the next(sometimes it changed like this during the same day). Pretty much every time I go now i felt either itchy or burning after(like roids again). My stool lately has also been green probably 50% of the time( lime green) and aren't close to diarrhea at all when they are this color. And I have started to get gurgling and mild abdominal discomfort for the past two weeks now(seems to increase during the afternoon and is more common when at school). The reason I think this is probably ibs is due to the inconsistent pattern of these symptoms. That being said my mom has colitis so idk if that changes anything.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • james87669
    james87669 Dja427

    Posted

    Suggest you make an appointment with Gastroenterologist for examination and probable Colonoscopy. IBS can cause much discomfort and cause Hemorrhoid flare ups plus other anal discomforts but always better to have a medical evaluation if only to set your mind at ease.
  • Dja427
    Dja427

    Posted

    Note: the diarrhea has stopped(if it was ever full diarrhea). I wonder if there is any psychological connection cause I have generalized anxiety(no panic attacks) and the abdominal symptoms usually stop(most of the time) if I distract myself from the issue. Also I have had constipation once or twice a week too. Again very inconsistent without much of a true pattern 
    • james87669
      james87669 Dja427

      Posted

      Yes, Anxiety can certainly influence IBS symptoms. I speak from many years experience with both IBS and GAD. Still, if it were me I would seek a medical evaluation. Having that done will relieve you of the anxiety you are experiencing now. 
    • Dja427
      Dja427 james87669

      Posted

      That is what I'm planning to do. I know colon cancer isn't unheard of my age but it's still a thought.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 Dja427

    Posted

    IBS doesn't cause bleeding.  However, haemorroids or fissures due to straining from constipation or diarrhoea can cause bleeding.  Bright red blood is suggestive of either of these things.  If the bleeding is dark, it would suggest the bleeding is coming from higher up.

    If your mum has colitis, it would be wise to ask for a fecal calprotectin test which looks for inflamnation which may point tp IBD (Crohns or ulcerative colitis).  A family history of IBD or IBS means you may be more predisposed to these conditions. If high inflammstion is present, you would be referred to have a colonoscopy.  

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