| IBS or more?
Hey all,
Sorry this is long, but anyone with IBS / Crohns / Gastro stories might be interested, and thank you for your help!
I've been having lower abdominal cramps (below the belly button, equal on both sides) for many years. I also have frequent, small bowel movements rarely containing mucus. I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My bowel movements change from constipation to very mild loose stools (but almost never watery or diarrhea-like). Recently, I've been under alot of stress (house buying, economy, work responsibilities etc.), and I've been having more abdominal pains than usual. As a result, I had a bunch of tests done, which include blood tests, urine samples and stool samples -- all which came back normal. I haven't had any fever, no watery or bloody diarrhea, no waking up to have a bowel movement, no anemia and no abdominal tenderness. When I had the increase in abdominal pains, I ate very little for a few days, hoping it would reduce the cramping.. but it didn't help, and I ended up losing about 4 pounds over the course of 3 or 4 weeks. I have returned to my normal diet, and I haven't been losing any more weight, but haven't gained it back (not that I want to anyway). I went to a Gastro yesterday (I'm feeling a little better now), and the Gastro recommended a slew of new tests, including colonoscopy, barium x-rays and more blood work and stool samples. It is stressful, since I don't have the time to do all these tests now.. but I can't imagine needing to do most of these tests, all my previous blood work and my stool sample was fine -- the only other possibility that I know of is Crohns disease, but I never had a fever, tenderness, significant diarrhea or blood in my stool. The Gastro didn't give much credit to my stress / IBS explanation.
Anyway, bottom line is, I don't really want do more tests (at least not now), because I'm personally convinced it is IBS... am I wrong? Any suggestions?
Thank you!
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