Blood in stool

[Ericaxmai]

I’m a 19 year old girl and I have suffered with what I am almost certain is IBS-C for a year now. I get cramps, gas, bloating, nausea and acid reflux as well as finding it very difficult to pass stool which can sometimes build up and last a few days. I know that the food I am eating makes a difference because once I cut out dairy and gluten and foods like onion, garlic and tomatoes I felt a lo to better. However, I have never actually been properly diagnosed or worked out exactly what it is that has caused my IBS and I’m not sure if there’s more going on in my gut than I realise and I would like to be able to eat more foods because for the past year my diet has been very restrictive and I don’t have much variety at all and I feel as though I have lost weight because of it. Also recently, when I have been going to the toilet there has been blood in my stool. I know it might just be because I’m constipated as this can happen and the blood is bright red, not dark. I’m just getting concerned that it’s something serious and I guess I’m just hoping for some reassurance on here? I’m going to book a doctors appointment tomorrow and talk to them about it all and try and get an actual diagnosis but it’s been so long now that I don’t want to really try new foods because I get so nervous it will make me ill. Does anyone else every get blood in their stool from constipation?

[Cramped_up]

Yes!! I have all the same symptoms. I recently found the cause of mine and being treated for it, but I'm not healed yet and know the pain is real. I have parasites that I got on a trip out of the country to Southeast Asia 3 years ago. The parasites will cause malabsorption, cause constipation, weight loss, nausea, stomach cramps and I've found in my duodenum and other area of digestion of lower left side under ribs and lower right side and back. It often wakes me at night and I've had insomnia for over a year. Parasites are more active at night. While I like being able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight, the lack of energy and pain I could do without. Back to you, I don't know your situation, but many people get sick and don't know they have these parasites or the immune system fights them off. You get it from contaminated water and/or undercooked meat.

Best of luck to you.

[Hidden]

I think you will find getting nervous about it makes it worse. Anxiety and stress can be major contributors to IBS problems. Constipation can tear the inner lining through exertion. You are doing the correct thing in consulting your Dr, have your Dr prescribe a laxative for you.

As for diet I found refined and man made foods or substitutes caused me most of the problems with health.

I go with fresh and natural foods, little red meat and I don't touch salt, sugar, spices and most herbs, but then I have diabetes, CKD and a few other problems along the way. Yes it is very restrictive but at the end of the day it is what I have had to do to get by each day. Keep trying to find dietary food that suits you and then stick with it and eventually you will be able to expand the diet, slowly.

[xjrs]

Glad that you are finally going to a doctor. A change in bowel habits always need to be investigation rather than self diagnosing - though to reassure you statistically far more people come back with an IBS diagnosis. However, once you are in the system, there is much that can be done to help your symptoms. Bright red blood as you say tends to be indicative of fissures etc. from constipation, but best for the GP to take a look.

If you come back with an IBS-C diagnosis, I have IBS-C and have been prescribed Linaclotide for it and I am also taking Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS. These in combination have reduced the pain I am in considerably and I have been able to tolerate more foods so that I am able to consume the extra fibre I need to have a BM including oatbran, wheat bran (if tolerated), 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 9 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. I find that I need to have 1 orange a day and then another high fibre fruit later in the day to help with BMs. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

I am currently experimenting with soaking grains, to reduce phytic acid content which can block the absorption of some minerals. It also makes them more digestible.

I also take 30 drops of ginger extract before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.

Some people say that enteric coated peppermint can help with pain.

I have been giving Optifibre a go, which has been helping but I need to be careful with the amount since it gives me gas.

Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.

You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).

[Kennydog]

Yep. I have blood (bright red) now and again, but i think it was thru eating crisps/nuts etc. Ive cut them out, and now very rarely get any blood in my stools now. I still get stomach cramps like ive done a thousand sit ups tho. Soft foods is the way to go and not too much fibre. Hope this helps.