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IBS or something more serious (18 year old girl)?

Posted , 4 users are following.

HPS
HPS

Hi!

I've always been the gut-anxiety type of person, having loose stools whenever I'm under a lot of stress. A bit over two weeks ago, though, I started having this more regularly, every day I have diarrhoea (but just once or twice a day which is normal for me but the consistency is not). At first I didn't think much of it because I'm having some very important exams these days but now it's been going on for almost three weeks. I'm lactose intolerant and in the past week I cut off any caffeine from my diet, started taking probiotics but nothing seems to help. I also have mild bloating and abdominal discomfort due to that, plus sometimes very loud stomach gurgling after I eat. I have other stress-related symptoms, too, such as poor nights of sleep and constant anxiety but this one thing is new and freaks me out a lot.

I have health anxiety and whenever I try to find solutions or tips for my problem online, the only thing I seem to find is colon cancer. I'm getting really worried and because of the pandemic I can't really get myself checked.

Please help! Is it possible to have bowel cancer at my age? And if it's "just" IBS how could I make my symptoms go away?

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • sam18386
    sam18386 HPS

    Posted

    hi hps, firstly welcome! its a shame you're on here it means you must be worried about what this. as a student it must be wreaking havoc with your studies, so on top of ordinary stresses you also have exams? stress will cause bowel disruption in lots of people before exams. now DON'T. read the internet stuff it will terrify you! try a really BLAND diet - rather than just cut out food add in a decent multi-vitamin, probiotic (like yakult) and yoga online, mindfilness technique also online and talk to a doctor maybe about the coronavirus. you can get a bach rescue remedy in boots which are in the form of chewable pastlile which do work for mild anxiety. good luck with your course and your exams and try to relax....

  • leeniepie
    leeniepie HPS

    Posted

    tjis is very typical ibs. there's not a lot you can do really, but the best tips are:

    • relaxation
    • avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy it high fat food
    • reduce fruit and veg for a bit, focus on easy to digest food
    • peppermint tea for bloating
    • buscopan and heat for cramps
    • try immodium for the diarrhoea
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