IBS or stomach bug? Can't decide

Posted , 5 users are following.

I was diagnosed with IBS about 8 years ago, and the past two days I've been having symptoms which I honestly don't know if they're a bug or not.

I ate some really spicy food a couple days ago, which at worst can give me a few stomach cramps, but yesterday I woke up with cramps, gas and bloating. I managed to get through the day (not eating much mind), but at night had a bout of diarrhoea after eating. It was sudden, and while it wasn't liquid it wasn't solid either. I took some Imodium as I was tired and didn't want to be awake all night. Today my stomach has been churning non-stop and I keep feeling the need to have diarrhoea but not having it. I've had a lot of gas too. I've had mild nausea which I do tend to get with IBS, and a little fatigue but other than that I feel normal. What makes me question whether I have a bug or not is that there's a few outbreaks in my area, but I've had very little known exposure to it.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    sounds like stomach bug but also sounds like IBS, it can honestly be a mixture, i went through this couple weeks ago,hope u get relief, take lots of rest when needed and stay hydrated

  • Posted

    it could be what you ate or a bug, the only way to tell is see your doctor. try eating next to nothing again and drinking water slowly. the spice could well have done this.

  • Posted

    It sounds like you have had an IBS flare up triggered by eating really spicy food.

  • Posted

    Your description sounds like what I have experienced latelyI feel like there is some delayed reaction that often takes 12-24 hours to kick in which is really confusing.

    A few weeks ago I ate lots of those fried crisps that come with Chinese food and you dip in duck sauce. I ate them really quickly but didn't feel sick until about a day later. All the same symptoms you had.I was miserable. I kept tracing it to what I ate in the morning but couldn't figure it out until I remembered those crisps. French fries which I used to eat with no problem now bother me too. My body can't handle the grease.

    I also tried this ginger kombucha drink that I think might help as well as fresh ginger.Unless I have to really function outside of the house, I'm trying to stay away from Pepto, Kao and Immodium when experiencing those nasty GI issues you mention. I bought IB Guard and am hopeful it will deliver the same relief.

    Too bad there isn't some pre-treatment we can take before indulging in these fun foods that haunt us later:(

    Hopefully the worst is behind you.

    • Posted

      I have problems digesting certain fatty foods. At one time I had to avoid all greasy foods to stop feeling sick or vomiting. Now the only fatty food I can't eat is salami. The reactions tend to be delayed and either I start feeling the fat lying undigested in my stomach or I get heartburn, then nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, milk helps to disperse the fat and ease down the nausea and prevents vomiting.

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