Gas, gurgling guts and soft stools - is this IBS?

[MiddleAgeMale]

I only started to notice the soft stools during the summer and it has very slowly progressed to the point of visiting the GP. My abdomen gurgles so loudly after eating it sounds like whale song. Scared myself to death with Dr Google but, had my FIT test which was fine, bloods were fine and stomach examination presented no lumps. Just being referred to the consultant now and then a colonoscopy. I'm new to all this so just concerned it may be something more serious or are these symptoms normal? Probiotics and Peppermint tablets don't appear to have helped.

[Liz1234ty]

Hi - I have been diagnosed with ibs after anything more serious ruled out and these are my symptoms (plus lots of burping too). While you wait for test results check out posts on low Fodmap diet as this helps a lot of people manage symptoms.

[Rain_ism]

Hello, I'm having similar issues. I wonder if do you also have a feeling of pressure/discomfort in your anus? Like you have to pass but can't?

[301246 in reply to Rain_ism]

I have this sensation of pressure/discomfort and looking on line it seems to have the name of Lavata ani. It's a condition i find difficult to sit down comfortably and one of my main IBS symptoms. I rarely sit down during the day because of it. I think it could also be caused by constipation.

[Pammy124prms in reply to Rain_ism]

hi i have got terrible diarrhoea and have had it for 5 weeks im on heart tablets and god knows what else but whether its tablets or ibs nobody knows anything from 5 to 20 visits to the loo a day and night, tummy makes dreadful noises and the wind is so awful it makes me feel sick ive never smelt anything so bad in my life, ive been discharged from cardiology and now im on my own,

[Batteria in reply to Pammy124prms]

Dont despair. Would it be a good idea to fast for a few days to give everything a chance to settle down? And then slowly introduce innocent food into the system? You must speak to a professional before you do this.

I remember I had such horrific symptoms about twenty years ago and I cried and cried. I never wanted to see another toilet roll again. I did not want to stop eating but my appetite went right down to zero and I couldn’t swallow anything or look at food for seven days. I used to teach English to monks in Italy and they told me the best thing to restart the nutrition journey was raw grated carrots and raw grated apples together in the same bowl.

I still have ibs d but I’ve never had another crisis as bad as that time.

Dont put up with this. Take good care of yourself.

[Hidden]

Oh this sounds pretty much what I had. Gas that got worse in the evening and to the point I was squeezing my tummy. A gripping feeling and spasms. I had the blood tests and FIT. Fobbed off with ibs tables. They eventually tested me for h pylori and I was positive!!

[Rain_ism in reply to Hidden]

hi, did you have a constant pressure in your anus like a feeling you need to go to the toilet but can't get anything out? thanks xx

[Hidden in reply to Rain_ism]

Can’t say that I did. But there’s a condition that can cause sudden pain in that area for no reason that lasts for a few minutes . protegarlla fugax

I think that’s it name

[Hidden in reply to Rain_ism]

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[MiddleAgeMale in reply to Rain_ism]

I definitely have experienced this. I think what’s so frustrating about this collection of symptoms is once (hopefully) anything life threatening is ruled out, it’s pretty much guesswork as to a ‘cure’.

[Pammy124prms in reply to Rain_ism]

yes i get that a lot rush to the loo then nothing other times runs for an eternity sometimes.... sorry to be explicit it feels like my anus is stuck open

[Hidden]

Keep off them so called friendly bacteria drinks to. They are terrible for that I tried them and my guts sounded like a block drain. Are you taking omeprozole?

[Suecoo66]

Sounds very much like IBS symptoms but of course any changes in bowel habits should be investigated. You could try the FODMAP diet which a lot of people have success with.

It may be stress related after all we are mid pandemic!

[mal444]

Hi. I also have these symptoms but have had soft stool 1 to 4 times in the morning since I was very young and now 49. This year in april i suffered terrible bloating and stomach noise and more loose soft motions. I suffered it but 2 months ago i also went to the docs and had the FIT stool test and bloods. Stool was negative and bloods ok but said i needed folic acid because of my ibs. I havent lost weight or no blood but my stomach is in a terrible embarrassing state with noise also. What the main issue with this is every week or 10 days i have bad gas which when it comes on feels like diarrhea but its 95% gas explosion with small amount of fluid. This carries on for a few hrs then clears for a week or even two then hits me again. The stomach noise wont go away and does keep me awake at night. I dont feel ill and have plenty energy. I recently had bad cellulitis from a rusty nail and was given antibiotics. From taking them i had 22 days without any wet flatulance but then it hit for a hour. The stomach noise was less also. Maybe this is the answer it could be some bacteria that does not show up in bloods or stools. Hope this helps anyone and im open for advice also. Thanks. Malcolm

[Hidden]

H pylori?