18 and Having Weird Symptoms...

[Gortonj906]

Hi, so im 18 and over the last couple of months i've been having episodes of diarrhea every week. They are short lasting, usually a day or two and ill be back to normal, but the next week it will come back. I also experience on and off bouts of constipation, which i have had since i was a kid. There seems to be a lot of mucus in the stool, making to look darker and often sticks to the side of the toilet. My more solid stools seem to float in the water. I haven't noticed any blood so to speak, nor do i get abdominal pain, however i will get a bizzare sensation in my anus before having a bowel movement and get a lot of flatulence. I'm curious whether these could be symptoms of bowel cancer, IBS or something else before going to the doctor. Any response would be appreciated. Thanks...

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hello Gortonj906 ,

Thanks for posting and I'm sorry to hear about your discomfort and bowel issues.

I recommend going to a doctor to get checked out. Particularly since you have a history of constipation, and are now experiencing the opposite. There are so many reasons why you could be experiencing these symptoms, and many of them could be treatable with diet and medication.

Try to not let the anxiety get to you too much with the "what ifs" (as hard as that is) because the only way to determine what is going on with you is to be examined by a doctor.

In advance of having the dr. appointment, it is a good idea to take notes on your bowel habits and what you observe (for instance, if you are eating a particular food and notice that it impacts your bowel movements).

Also be sure to write down any medications you are taking, including over the counter medications, and the dosage, and for how long you have been taking them.

Please keep us updated and we hope that you get some answers soon!

~Nicole @ GCCA