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Looking to see if my symptoms may be IBS

Posted , 3 users are following.

kas31
kas31

Hi all,

I am a 21 year old female who has been experiencing what I feel are IBS like symptoms for about 8-10 months. It all began when I got what I assumed was a stomach bug or maybe the flu about that long ago. After I recovered from whatever that was (I had a sore stomach, nausea, no appetite and fatigue) I began to worry about my health. I began having random bouts of loose, mushy stool (not diarrhea per say) and abdominal discomfort. I would only have a bm though once or twice a day. I got worried when that started happening and began googling my symptoms and self diagnosing. I started taking a probiotic (align) which seemed to help. But around about December i noticed this stopped happening one or twice every 3 weeks or so but now it seems to be every few days. Ill get abdominal discomfort after eating then have one or two loose bms. It will go away for a day or two and I will have formed (but not much coming out) stool only to revert back to a loose stool. I am an anxious person, I do google symptoms and do worry that something's wrong. I have no fevers, no blood in stool. All my symptoms seem only digestive (gas, discomfort, loose stool). Definitely made worse by my worrying. Have had normal blood work and my doctor thinks that it's just stress but I'm not sure. Is this mild ibs? Can it go away since it seems more like pi-ibs? Just want some insight if these symptoms seem relatable or not enough to be ibs and maybe just stress.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • susand1408
    susand1408 kas31

    Posted

    Ibs can be stressful induced and can cause fatigue. There are a number of things you can do. It might be an idea to keep a food and symptom diary. It might show up if certain foods are making a difference as well.

    I personally am made worse by dairy and complex fibres. Other people it is gluten.

    Re stress there are a few things you can try. I crochet, other people knit or there is yoga, plates, ti chi, mindfulness.

    I find the wheat based probiotic better but it's expensive.

    Complex fibres can make things worse but you need the fibre to stop it being loose. A centrifugal juicer helps with that.

    Going for a walk outside everyday can help. The vitamin D is good for you and light exercise helps your stomach to work better.

    A good night's sleep is essential for your stomach. Don't use electronics an hour before bed. Have your room a couple of degrees cooler. Don't drink caffeine after 5pm. Don't eat too close to bedtime.

    Kalms may help. They may help you get to sleep easier and relax you more.

    Hope it helps.

    Sue

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 kas31

    Posted

    Your symptoms could be IBS which is made worse by stress and can be caused by stress.  Ask your doctor for additional testing to rule out other things.  It is important to get a definitive diagnosis.
  • SB14
    SB14 kas31

    Posted

    Hey, I'm a 20 year old female and I'm basically going through the same thing as you. Nearly three years ago, I had a bit of a stomach bug, throwing up, nausea etc. and that's when my bowel symptoms started. For the first month my stomach would feel really uncomfortable and I felt like I had to go a lot. Then I had some diarrhoea and mainly having frequent loose stools daily. Sometimes it seemed to get better but some days it's just back. I started having some mucus too and feelings of incomplete bowel movements. I've had barely any pain associated with it though, unless I have caffeine or spicy food. However I'm currently waiting for a doctors appointment so we will have to see. Hope all goes well for you and if it's ibs hope you get some relief!

    Let us know how it goes smile

    • kas31
      kas31 SB14

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply! It's comforting to hear from someone about my age. Let me know what happens with you as well. This whole thing is really worrying me!

  • kas31
    kas31

    Posted

    Can any one give me some insight of how often or for how long ibs flare ups last? I am really confused about it because I feel like it's every couple days for me that I am bothered by these symptoms. I feel like it shouldn't be so often 😞

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 kas31

      Posted

      IBS flare ups are different for everyone. My very first flare up lasted for three and a half months with pain and change of bowel habit every day.  After my diagnosis, my symptoms calmed down.  If I get stressed, I can get pain for several days or up to a week.  When I am not stressed, I have no pain. If you are anxious about your symptoms and you have IBS, your flare ups will be more frequent.
  • kas31
    kas31

    Posted

    I probably should add I do smoke cigarettes , about 10-12 a day. Don't know if this has any relevance.

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