Five weeks ago I started having a lot of gas and diarrhea. I burp so often and wake up in the morning with diarrhea, but sleep well at night. I have intermittent stomach cramps and the ain moves around. Yesterday I went to the doctor and I brought in a stool sample this morning. He also took my blood and said that I may need a colonoscopy.

I am in my 50's. I have been living on rice, applesauce, bland foods but the diarrhea continues. I also have been taking probiotics. Has anyone here had this combination of symptoms for that long a period of time? I am so frustrated and uncomfortable and scared about what this could be.

The doctor started me on Prevacid for now and I will get test results in a few days (testing for bacteria, parasites). If that is negative, could IBS present itself this way?

Hi terrri. Your symptoms could be many different things, from gall bladder, to colitis, to IBS. Good thing you're going for a colonoscopy which can rule out a lot of things. You may also want to consider gall bladder & abdominal ultrasounds, as well as endoscopy to rule out upper digestive disorders. Keep us posted on your results.

Katie G