Colours of bowel? Does this sound normal? IBS? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Amplifies · 01-02-2006, 10:05 PM

Well, lately I have had troubles using the restroom. But..the colour of my bowel when I did go was the normal brown color. After using laxitives for a while, I got off those and things were going fine. However, New Years, after eating a grilled cheese sandwhich (and some hours later) after using the restroom, I noticed my bowel was a yellowish/tanish/liiight brown color. I've read that this could be a sign of liver problems, and if it is that, how can I be sure? This is the first time it has ever happened to me. Well, earlier today, I used the restroom and everything was back to normal, the colour and everything, but then I went again and it was the yellowish/tanish colour again.

I was wondering if I had IBS if that could be causing it? Also, I just started birth control about a month ago, and I broke out into a rash, until i started my period and was off it for those 5 days. I started taking it again and a week after I started taking it again, this happened. Could it be that? Or could it be the eating of cheese? Because both times it happened, I had eaten cheese... I don't take vitamins or anything of the sort...

I was begining to think, even before this happened, that I may have IBS, because my stomach has been slightly bloated. Not noticably to other people, but just to myself, and that I had have troubles using the restroom. Thanks for your help.

MommaBee · 01-02-2006, 11:00 PM

Don't worry! The color of your bowel movement's is dictated by what you eat. You ate some cheese and it was a lighter color. If you ate some Oreo cookies, it would be very dark brown.
As far as having IBS, I don't think so. That is a disorder that is connected to being upset or having anxiety, not what you eat.

Amplifies · 01-03-2006, 12:06 AM

Thank you so much. That makes me feel much better.

Any other comments are still welcomed, though.

bulletinboard25 · 01-03-2006, 12:14 AM

I just want to let you know that Ruthann is wrong.

IBS is not a disorder thats "just tied to anxiety and your mind"...

That's kind of prehistoric thinking, actually.

Look into serotonin dysfunction in IBS, SERT. etc etc.

Also check into SIBO.

It's sad people still refer to it as that.

STRESS DOES NOT cause IBS.... it CAN effect the symptoms of the disorder. As well as eating.. Eating can make the symptoms worse.. key word. CAN. foods don't cause IBS, just effect the symptoms.

IBS is a very real disorder that does NOT originate in the brain.. they have found REAL molecular defects in the intestines of IBS patients.

It is not a disorder "in ones head".

I just don't like to see it labeled as such...

Brocallie · 01-03-2006, 07:12 AM

Thanks, BB25--you explained it perfectly!