Colour of bowel movements: I have recently been... - IBS Network

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Colour of bowel movements

YellowSubmarine1878 profile image

I have recently been having anxeity about the shade and consistency of my bowel movements, this has been something that has worried me due to my IBS C and D. I am currently having very light brown/yellowish movements and i am wondering if this is normal or perhaps due to something in my diet. I am trying to stay away from Dr Google as it has done me no good in the past.

Thank you

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YellowSubmarine1878 profile image
YellowSubmarine1878
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7 Replies
weegmack profile image
weegmack

Definitely don’t consult Dr Google! I have to resist it myself because I have health anxiety....it only makes you feel terrified!Ok, so I’ve had IBS in all its forms for 32 years or maybe longer. May daughters have it too, so we have no shame about sharing details about our poop! All of us experience light coloured (anything from light brown to bright yellow) poop when we have eaten anything too fatty. I have three little gallstones, so if I eat anything too fatty, I have a fluffy, beige poop. My eldest has light poop when she eats too much dairy or red meat (I’m trying to persuade her to stop eating red meat, because it causes these pale stools and a bit of urgency, but she’s 19 and knows it all 😂).

I’ve also been told by my gastro, that paler poop can indicate malabsorption- basically the contents of your gut are moving too quickly and your gut isn’t absorbing the nutrients from your food. This can be due to gallbladder problems, a food intolerance, coeliacs or maybe an infection.

Have you had any food allergy tests or had your gallbladder checked out? X

YellowSubmarine1878 profile image
YellowSubmarine1878 in reply toweegmack

Thank you so much for replying it’s so nice to know im not the only one :). And i’ve had lactose intolerance tests but not my gallbladder. If the problem persists even after i’ve changed my diet i may consider another visit to the GP to rule anything out. Thank you so much :)

weegmack profile image
weegmack in reply toYellowSubmarine1878

You’re welcome! I’m happy to talk poop anytime 😂. If it’s any help, our guts are often referred to as another brain. They are so responsive to any stimuli - food, stress, anxiety, depression, liquids, artificial sweeteners, preservatives...Xx

YellowSubmarine1878 profile image
YellowSubmarine1878 in reply toweegmack

I've read that after doing some research as well and I agree. The stress from the OCD and anxiety certainly does me no favours

Bellacat21 profile image
Bellacat21 in reply toYellowSubmarine1878

I had my gallbladder removed two years ago and since developed bile salt Malabsorption.. hence yellow poop. Have a bile salt test if you can.

Rainybean profile image
Rainybean

Same here. I have health anxiety and Dr Google just makes things so much worse. I'm suffering loose stools and urgency every day and I'm really worried by it. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow so I'm mentioning it to her

YellowSubmarine1878 profile image
YellowSubmarine1878 in reply toRainybean

I am completely the same, the most important thing to remember is that the odds are in our favour. It is most likely IBS which is caused by anxeity and depression and vice versa. The best thing to think about is you are not only. Currently im trying to not change my social liftestyle. In fact as im typing this as i’m out in a bar :), keep positive and stay strong. There are many like you.

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