Unusual stomach/bowel symptoms

[Sasical]

Hi there

Hope everyone is ok re Coronavirus.

I just wanted to ask ibs sufferers out there if this sounds like ibs at all.

I don't suffer from pain but every time I go for a bowel movement I have shortness of breath, sweating, shaking, increased heart rate and generally feel really bad for about 30 mins to an hour after. Also after going I get really load rumbling and gurgling.

I also vary from going once a day to up to 6 times a day.

The latest thing I have is floating stools which I have been told is due to malabsortion but no info on why or what to do about it.

Does any of this resonate with anyone??

Thaaaanks

[Linley]

Hi

I can only relate to the sweating and shakes when I have a bad attack of diarrhoea, I think it's that my gut keeps contracting and doesn't know when to stop. I usually recover within 30 mins and feel very empty.

[BabsyWabsy]

This occasionally happens to me and i pinned it down to consuming too much sugar. I get very sweaty too. Could this be a factor for you? If I keep sugar consumption to a bare minimum it doesn't happen. Floating stools may be gassy or fatty if they look pale. Can you get a GP appt?

[Sasical in reply to BabsyWabsy]

I will keep an eye on the sugar connection to see if this might be the case for me.

Thank you! X

[xjrs]

Best to ask for a phone appointment with your GP if you haven't been formally diagnosed with IBS. Even in lockdown there will be ways of getting tests done such as them sending you a stool sample kit in the post, you kick it to one side for 72 hours and return it to them by leaving it outside and ask the receptionist to pick it up. Once you have your diagnosis check back with us here if you are still experiencing symptoms and we will be able to help.

[Sasical]

About 5 years ago I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy for other reasons. I had gastritis and hpylori but nothing else, I was given antibiotics for the Hpylori and unfortunately I had a very severe reaction to one of the antibiotics, but that is another story.

Fast forward and about 2 years ago I had a virtual colonoscopy for a constant pain I had in my right side, all clear. And now for the past year and a half I've had the symptoms I described above.

I recently had a stool test and bloods and an abdominal and pelvic scan and all ok. They don't think I should need another colonoscopy done yet. But I have never been formally diagnosed with anything. I live in Spain and they don't use the term IBS as much here as they do in the UK.

So basically I'm running out of ideas.

Sorry for the long post and if anybody else has any ideas.

Thanks x

[xjrs in reply to Sasical]

I'm wondering if you have anxiety associated with your bowel movements which is why you feel the way you do beforehand and afterwards.

Floating stools can be filled with gas or due to malabsorption. You might find this useful:

healthline.com/health/stool...

Have you tried any probiotics? My system is more settled after taking Alflorex which has been scientifically studied for IBS. There is also FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet to consider if probiotics don't work.

[Sasical]

Thanks for getting back. I'll now have a look at your link. I've been on probiotics for months now, so I guess if they were going to work they would have done by now, but I'll look into the ones you have mentioned Alflorex.

My doc put me on a dairy free/ gluten free diet. No change. On a carb and sugar free diet, no change. Will look into fodmap.

I do have anxiety but this is definitely a physical thing, I can almost feel it like a switch flipping and when I'm very relaxed or very concentrated and not even remotely anxious.

Thanks again!

[Funkyfaerie]

I think it's anxiety Sassical and the fear of the feelings.

You know from past posts that I feel the same as you and I still do. But I am still suffering with anxiety and I do fear the feelings that happen every time.

[Sasical in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Funkyfaerie maybe you're right and I'm trying to find an answer when it could be anxiety even though it doesn't feel like it to me. Thanks for always answering x