New to IBS, thin, small stools? Constipation and diarrhea

Posted , 6 users are following.

hi everyone. I haven't gotten diagnosed with IBS yet but my doctor said it's very highly likely that I have IBS but for right now, he recommended therapy because most of my symptoms or all of them is anxiety related. Also because my symptoms usually go away when I'm not stressed or my anxious for a period of time. Like once, i was stress free for a month and my symptoms started to go away or maybe I just don't notice because I was happy and no anxiety. And then it all came back..currently, I'm still freaking out over colon cancer. It's good that I don't have alarming symptoms like unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds or more, never seen blood in stool, and I've never heard of cancer in my family. If there is cancer, I don't think they're genetic. I'm also 14 so that's pretty young, I guess. But I'm freaking out that I've seen small and thin stools before, right now too actually. I noticed that this last week, my stool has been thinner. But I also haven't been really healthy this week and didn't take my fiber supplement my doctor said to take. Fiber does bulk up my stool I think. Is thin or skinny stools a symptom of IBS? I don't get thin stools all the time, the size and shapes are constantly changing. Even consistency. I've been really stressed out lately. Is thin, sometimes pencil thin, stools a symptom of IBS or is it CANCER?!

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    OMG! Please, drop that fear right there! Someone must have been feeding stuff into your mind that does not exist. You must have been a regular on Google. Would I worry about the size of my stool? Absolutely not.

    One thing you've got to understand is that no one has any control whatsoever over what their stool would come out looking like. But you've got to realize that there is a very strong connection between the mind and the GI system. When you worry too much, your GI system would become hyperactive with stomach gurgles. The next thing, you're dealing with inexplicable diarrhea.

    I've come across so many anxiety stories lately that have one thing in common - people conjuring into their minds fears that bear no place in reality. I'd literally driven myself crazy with anxiety that ended up ruining my life. But I was eventually able to get my mind under control, though it had already done me a lot of damage. What happened was that I kept nursing the fear that my GI system would embarrass me in public, especially in a quiet room full of people. Eventually, my fear became a reality. Things started happening the way I was working on my mind to get them to do. This went on for so long until I decided to take charge. Without medical intervention, I steered my mind into the right direction and all my problems vanished.

    With that said, I want you to work on your anxiety the same way I did and stop worrying about what your stool looks like. You're so young and still have a whole exciting life ahead of you; so, please don't give it away to anxiety, Kyky. I strongly believe that what you think you have is only psychological. It has nothing to do with cancer. I wish I was still your age. Enjoy your life, please.

    • Posted

      I'm trying really hard but more and more health anxiety keeps coming in. I've been worrying about liver disease, heart disease, colon cancer, IBS, kidney stones, lung problems, stomach cancer, stomach ulcers, IBD, just EVERYTHING. But I guess most of my symptoms do all relate to IBS and anxiety...

      Anxiety had basically taken over my life. I don't enjoy things I love doing as much. I'm constantly on google, googling this, googling that. Everyone tells me I'm fine, even my doctors (went to 2 already).

    • Posted

      Kyky, there's one website I want you to stay away from when you're researching on any health topic that you think has to do specifically with you. It's Google. Google is an awesome search engine; don't get me wrong. It helps me get things done and achieve so much. However, I also know that it has a boat load of information that gets into people's minds and ultimately ruins their lives. What you're suffering from right now is Google-induced syndrome. If there's anything you should be worried about, it is coming up with the best strategy to help you stay away for good from using Google to create panic attack in yourself.

      It is in your head - cancer, IBS, renal calculi, migraine, etc. There's nothing wrong with you, and I'm not just saying this because I want it to sound good to you; I'm saying it because it is A FACT. Your mind needs complete cleansing from poisonous thoughts and fears, and there's no medication for it. The solution for your problem exists in your mind; just tap into it. I know that it is very difficult to steer the mind into the right direction. But you've got to do it. Although it might seem difficult right now, with a little effort at a time you'll conquer it; no doubt about that. No matter what you do while you're working on it, please never you think about finding a solution in drugs. It's fine to take a pain reliever for a headache, but it's not OK to take any medication for a problem that has no physical form or a place in reality. With that said, your so-called problem is as fake as unicorns. You know that Tom and Jerry, Mickey mouse are cartoon characters and not as real as you and everyone on this forum are, don't you? If you could relate the fiction in cartoon characters to your so-called IBS, etc , you'd understand that you don't have any of those ailments.

      We're here to help you. Please, think about all we've told you; we're not deceiving you. We're telling you the real truth of life. But don't forget that we're always here to help. If you need any help, come back here and give us a little time to respond. You may also send direct messages, though it's better on here so that everyone would be given equal opportunity to help you recover from this ordeal.

    • Posted

      Hey Ky,

      I've had Ibs for 4 years now and only recently just found out I had social anxiety which is why it acts up when I go into a crowded place etc. Currently, I'm in hospital right now with kidney stones so they had to put a stent in which makes my urine turn to blood and really painful so I've been too afraid to actually move my bowells haha. But don't think you have cancer or anything like that having smaller stools shouldn't worry you I'd be glad if I could get some out right now, just keep your chin up and make sure you give your doctor every symptom and everything your feeling.

    • Posted

      Hello Chris. Sorry to know that you're dealing with renal calculi problem. But I'm glad that you approach it with awesome positive energy, which I believe would help you recover. Don't forget to drink as much fluid - especially water - as you can. Before long, the problem would be history.

      That's a great input from you! I had IBS too, or so I'd thought, until I was able to figure out that it was a mind disease. IBS does nothing but freak people out and make them live in fear. The only regret I have about mine is that I shouldn't have allowed it to ruin my life to the extent it did. But I try to put it all beyond me and focus more on the present and the future, which we have much more control on than we do of the past. In fact, we have no control over the past. Therefore, the best way to deal with it is treat it like what it is - the past.

  • Posted

    kykyislit...reread my messages I sent you.. you must replace those negative thoughts.. it will wear you down and make you old b4 your time.. it’s that aniexty playing tricks with your mind..do not allow it to take over your whole being....reprogram  your thought pattern..you can do it..post if you need to.. I’m here as is others..😊

    • Posted

      Nickie, thank you so much for that fact-loaded reply! You said it all in that one message. The mind is beautiful and ugly at the same time, but we ultimately have control over which one we see and experience. I couldn't say it any better than you already did. Well done!! 👏👊🤝

  • Posted

    I'm not a doctor but in my opinion 1. You are 14, statistically the odds of you having cancer are extremely extremely thin.  Secondly I don't think the shape of your stool has anything to do with it.  My recommendation is find a general practitioner and go for routine checkups/physicals- I'd say every 3-4 months.  If your Dr routinely gives you a clean bill of health you are ok.

    • Posted

      I go every 6 months to 1 year. Is that fine also? Last year, I went to the doctors every 3 months! Recently went last month. Of course, everyone tells me I'm fine.

    • Posted

      kyky... please try and focus on the positive things in life and remember how u use to enjoy doing things .. try and do them .. you r way to young for this aniexty to have such a grip on you.. I wish I could take it away but all I can do is encourage you .. Try and have a Pleasant Day ... and Think on Positive Things...You are a Very Bright and Smart Young Lady.. if u must get mad at this aniexty and tell it “ You Will Not Take My Joy and Happiness away from me...Then do it... You are Very Healthy Young Lady and it’s not because I say it but it’s  because your Dr. Has said it..Trust his words..For he would not lie to you ..post when I need to.. just give each of us time to post back..💕🤗💕 I see you as one of my Precious Grand daughter’s..

    • Posted

      Well if a Dr. Is telling you that you are healthy he/she can not lie and just say that so I'd have some trust in them, especially if you are doing bloodwork etc.  so in addition to statistics being in your favor, you also have medical confirmation that you are healthy.  Hopefully that gives you a piece of mind 

  • Posted

    At your age, cancer  would be very, very rare.  Remember that you doctor said iit is highly likely you have IBS. Believe and accept what your doctor is telling you. He is the expert. Also, you have no red flag symptoms.  When you are anxious, IBS flares up, when you are calm, it goes into remission.  I have had ,pencil thin, light coloured stools with IBS. Constant changes of stool shape, colour, consistency and frequency are key IBS symptoms.

    Concentrate on the positives: you have no red flag symptoms and your doctor has told you it is highly llikely you have IBS.  Concentrate on your hobbies to take your mind off your symptoms since you have found this helps you.  Anxiety triggers IBS, so try not to worry.

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