IBS Type?

[JT1992]

I have always thought I have had IBS D.. The horrendous cramping followed by D used to happen regularly. Now, not so much, after cutting down on a few things, but the stomach problems are still there everyday.

More recently I have found that i am going numerous times in the day, sometimes up to 7/8, and the stool is small and loose, accompanied by gas. I get the feeling of incomplete evacuation as well. This will start from first thing in the morning until the evening.

I am struggling to work out if this is IBS C or D.. I have the urgency, but the stool isn't in a liquid form like it is when i get the cramping. It can be both hard and soft.. Everything i read about Ibs C doesn't mention anything about urgency.. but IBS D always says it's loose stools. it's a minefield!

I feel like i don't know what to do with myself as i can't work out what the problem actually is..

Does anybody have any advice for me?

Thank you

[Luisa22]

IBS can change. Or it can be IBS mixed, or there can be issues with "overflow diarrhea" Which means there are hard stools blocking the colon and what's behind it, not solid yet, makes its way around the blockage.

I don't know, but yours doesn't sound a lot like overflow diarrhea. But I'm not a doctor.

I have IBS D predominant but sometimes get straightforward constipation, which passes in 2 days. Sometimes I have normal stools, sometimes a bit too loose, and sometimes (rarely now but still can happen) flare ups of diarrhea. But sometimes I've had an "almost constipated feeling", yet passed loose-ish stools. It's possible that's because there wasn't enough bulk in the stool, and for me if I eat brown rice mixed with white rice, it solves it the next day.

Have you tried a fibre supplement? Some people get help from that, and some don't. But it might be worth trying and see what happens.. It doesn't help me, but you never know with yourself. Dump it obviously if it doesn't work.

[JT1992 in reply to Luisa22]

I think that's what I am experiencing, loose stools with not enough bulk. I tried Optifibre for a while (Psyllium Husk didnt agree with me). And i feel like i found improvement. Then I got slack over Christmas and have tried to start it again but I think it might be one of those things your stomach has to get used to again before seeing improvement?

[Angrybelly]

I have your same symtoms. I go from the time I wake up to midnight. It's a non stop urgency to move my bowel. I poop the most in the morning after that it's a lot of small poops with incredible urgency. Sometimes a lot of tenesmus with just a little gas and mucus passing. I do have diverticular disease but no diverticulitis. My GI thinks it's ibs d but I feel like it's some kind of colitis because of the urgecy.. All the tests colonoscopies ct scans mris etc are negative. I have tried everything and have had just about every test done including pelvic floor therapy and nothing. I go to the rest room 8 to 10x a day every day!! I have an internal prolapse which is of course from popping so much. I have not found anyone that can solve this mystery. I know ibs changes from day to day some have bad weeks and then they get a better but my symptoms are daily for two years!!

[Maureen1958 in reply to Angrybelly]

You might like to look into BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption), see link below.

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

[Maureen1958]

You might like to look into BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption), see link below.

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

[Arkus]

My symptoms are similar to yours. Yes, it’s a minefield! I tried psyllium which is supposed to work for diarrhea as well as constipation and it helped a bit. I then found a product from the USA called IBsolution which contains psyllium as well as other natural ingredients and that really helped to give me a big bowel movement in the morning with fewer and sometimes no more issues the rest of the day.

If I feel motility is getting too strong I also take 1/2 tab of Imodium (about once a week) and that slows things down.

I have food intolerances, especially dairy, which cause horrendous cramping like you say followed by explosive diarrhea with many trips to the bathroom. Other foods bother me too, the usual beans, onions, cabbage etc so I avoid or control my diet accordingly. I haven’t tried the FODMAP diet suggested my doctor as it is too limiting for a family and I’m not prepared to live in isolation yet. I also read that the FODMAP diet can make things worse.

Everyone’s body is different, but I suspect in my case I have a weakened inner sphincter muscle which leaks fecal matter into the lower canal which causes urgency. Another problem may be a rectocele.

It’s a trial and error process and listening to your body to understand what works for you.

[JT1992 in reply to Arkus]

I think that's what I am experiencing, loose stools with not enough bulk. I tried Optifibre for a while (Psyllium Husk didnt agree with me). And i feel like i found improvement. Then I got slack over Christmas and have tried to start it again but I think it might be one of those things your stomach has to get used to again before seeing improvement?

I also know i have some food intolerances, similar to yours really. I tried to do Low Fodmap but it is so restrictive. It includes restricting the foods your mentioned anyway, so you might not be far off it anyway . It's just so difficult, you might have a day where you've eaten very clean and low fodmap but still have an upset stomach!

[Arkus in reply to JT1992]

it takes a while to get the digestive system back on track.

I still recommend IBsolution. (I’ve no interest in sales I’m just a custumer). Try probiotics, kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut to give your gut some good bacteria. Persevere, wait for improvement, and avoid food triggers if possible.