I am new to this group, I was told I had IBS when I was 11 yr old (I am 22 now) it never really affected me really apart from some cramping and musus around my stools. But around 7 days ago I had struggle to poop which caused me to strain and my stools were hard and like small balls is the best way I could explain it - the issue was is it had a lot of dark red mucus on one of the stools which I have never had before - my mucus is usually white'ish yellow which is normal to me.
As soon as I saw this I was waved with anxiety and stress and called the doctors straight away which they have taken a stool sample and blood test. I had to use the toilet a few times after with no straining which I believe was due to the anxiety and the stools looked normal brown but was sloppy (again due to the anxiety).
But since then I have had mild cramps on the bottom left side of my stomach which is on and off, I have had no red in my stools since that one time, but I have been getting black specs in my stools for the last 4 days or so which is worrying for me aswell.
I've had no severe pain, no feeling sick or being sick and no rectum pain. I have been feeling a lot more tired then usual.
I have changed my diet since this happened as I was eating a lot of junk food and caffiene. I no longer drink caffiene mainly just water and I have cut the junk food and mainly eating low fat meats with herbs and potatoes, I have also introduced bananas and organic yogurt to my diet - but I haven't really seen a change apart from the black specs around my stools.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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Nay0011
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I suffer terribly with IBS (In agony on the toilet as I type, been here almost 30minutes already.. not been able to go for the last week or so)
My thought is that possibly the stools could be a result of your change in diet and your bowels getting used to it? If your stools are small balls that is a sign of constipation. Do you drink plenty of fluid? Prune juice is supposed to also help. (I am too fussy to try it)
Thanks for responding to my post, I was thinking my stools could be showing black dots as I have changed my diet but then I googled it and it mentioned bleeding in the upper GI which made me quite worried. I am drinking plenty of water a day. Prune juice isn't to bad i have tried it plenty of times it is just sweet and it does work quite well.
Hi, thankyou for asking. I am currently just laying down feeling sorry for myself because my stomach is in a lot of pain. I'll live haha.
Remember, Google is not always the best thing to do when wondering about health issues. I used to always do that. My advice would be to keep an eye on your stool movements, you could even do a diary for your doctor. Plenty of fluids and try keeping your body moving when you can
most likely to be from something you have been consuming recently if you have changed ur diet. What type of fruit and veg do you eat? I’m sure it’s nothing sinister but always better to have it checked out if you are worried about it
I’ve been eating all different stuff really that I’ve never really eaten. I’ve been to get checked out and my bloods came back fine. Waiting on a stool sample for now!
That’s great news that you’re bloods are fine! It’s frustrating having to wait around for test results isn’t it..makes you start over thinking and googling lol. You are right though about the anxiety it does seem to make it worse. I am 39 now and was diagnosed only about 3 years ago but have had symptoms since my teens. I’ve narrowed down a lot of the main triggers for me but I’m still learning believe it or not! The joys of Ibs lol. I hope you’re other results come back positive will keep my fingers crossed for you 😊
That’s what I am currently trying to figure out myself is the triggers, it’s quite difficult at the moment but I’m sure it’ll get easier. It’s great having people to talk to on here as we all share the same experiences etc.
Thank you so much, I hope all goes well with you too!
Hi. I consulted a Dietician who was familiar with IBS, etc. I followed her advice giving me positive results. Main message mire fibre so Fybogel, more fruit esp. Kiwi, switch to oat based cereal. Reduce or stop ultra processed food ham , bacon, etc. Could be worthwhile looking into it?
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Can this be ibs?
Is it IBS or something else? 
IBS or something else? Any advice welcome!!
Is this IBS
