More unusual IBS symptoms

[Sasical]

Hi there

I have been told I might have IBS but my symptoms don't seem to be the typical ones that I read most people have.

Sorry about TMI...I have a lot of bowel movements every day, up to 8 a day, average 4. I don't have diarrhea, but soft-ish consistency, that can be quite sticky, I have to wipe a lot, and my poop always floats. I very rarely have pain but when I have gas or need to poop I start sweating, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, which then gets better about 15-30 mins after going.

Does anybody have anything similar?

[Linley]

Hi

Think I have replied to you or to someone who has similar probs🤔. I can relate to the shivers and sweats when I have an attack of IBS d believe its my muscles rigously contracting. Your body is overreacting to the bms look up Vasogal Syncope. BTW you say you might have IBS, suggest you get a proper diagnosis from your GP and ask them about the VS. Good luck🍀

[xjrs]

When your doctor says that you 'might' have IBS, what have they done to test this? There are standard checks to getting an IBS diagnosis including a stool sample or blood test. There is no 'might' about it. If you haven't had these done, please ask for them:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

There is also bile acid malabsorption (BAM) to consider - there is a separate test for that.

If you are diagnosed with IBS, you can check back here since there is much that can be done to help you.

[Sasical in reply to xjrs]

Hi xjrs

I have had stool test and bloods. 2 years ago I had a virtual colonoscopy and 5 years ago I had colonoscopy and endoscopy and the only thing they found was gastritis and internal piles. I've got an appointment with a new gastro doc that my GP has recommended.

The doctor said it might be IBS but strangely here in Spain IBS is not a diagnosis that they use very much at all.

I hadn't considered BAM because I don't have diarrhea as such, can one still have BAM without diarrhea?

I definitely have some form of malabsorption as my poop always floats and is greasy and my vit B12, D snd iron were all very low.

[xjrs in reply to Sasical]

Yes I've heard that in some countries it's not recognised so much, which is a shame. I'd say it's unlikely you have BAM without diarrhea (though I'm not a doctor).

I found this on floating/greasy stools:

medlineplus.gov/ency/articl....

Floating, greasy stools that are foul smelling may be due to severe malabsorption, particularly if you are losing weight. Malabsorption means your body is not properly absorbing nutrients.

Most floating stools are not caused by an increase in the fat content of the stool. However, in some conditions, such as long-term (chronic) pancreatitis, the fat content is increased.

This ties in with what you are saying. Have they tested you for pancreas function/enzymes?

[Sasical in reply to xjrs]

Thank you for getting back to me, my GP has ordered bloods for pancreas function but I'm waiting to see if the gastro doc wants to add anything else to the bloods before I get tested, so hopefully today I will know. I'm doing all this privately because with Covid most things on the Spanish NHS are being delayed unless they are very urgent.

[xjrs in reply to Sasical]

Good luck with your diagnosis. It does sound like there may be a bit more involved than just IBS. Hopefully once you are diagnosed, there will be some good treatments for you. If you still come back with it's just IBS after they have checked out your pancreas, if you want, you can come back here, since there is much that can be done to help IBS symptoms.

[Sasical in reply to xjrs]

Thanks! X