Does anyone else with IBS experience these specific symptoms.. - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

RBD616 · 06-09-2005, 05:41 PM

Does anyone else have periods of abnormally small bowel movements and diarrhea mixed with constipation that goes on for weeks at a time, then one day seems to clear up and become normal again for several days or weeks?
I will go through bouts, sometimes several weeks at a time, where my bowel movements are very small and watery, mixed with diarrhea. I feel constipated much of the time like I am not able to have a good, solid bowel movement. However, I do not have the symptoms of constipation in that my stools are not hard and dry, they are loose and watery. My stools will come in various shapes and sizes and usually small. The diarrhea is not urgent or painful and not even that uncomfortable. I usually don't feel cramps or bloating like other IBS sufferers. My concern is that I will sometimes go for such a long time before having a normal, solid bowel movement. Sometimes 4-6 weeks even.
My appetite and energy are all good.

I've been to a gasteroenterologist a year ago and he was confident enough that my symptoms were IBS related that he felt a Colonoscopy was unneccessary. These symptoms have pretty much been with me for 25 years. I am in my 40's now, though, and just more concerned that it could be more serious than IBS.

One other symptom when I am going through a difficult period is that hot, spicy and greasy foods go through me instantly - almost like a laxative effect ant it BURNS coming out..Sometimes only an hour after eating.

Sound familiar at all to anyone?

Orbitz1200 · 06-09-2005, 07:03 PM

This sounds a lot like what goes on with me. Unfortunately, though, I can't tell you much about what that means. I too have been diagnosed with IBS, though I've had a couple colonoscopies. Honestly, I don't believe the diagnosis entirely, though. I wonder if it it's due to some food intolerance. I also have almost no pain (once in a while I might have minor discomfort under my left ribcage area, but that't it) and the same bowel symptoms exactly. Spicy foods also seem to ruin me (which I hate, because I love spicy foods).

6th_sense · 06-09-2005, 07:42 PM

Hi guys,

It sounds like you have IBS. I used to go through those symptoms for a short while sometime back. I did have pain though.

I'm not sure if you have tried to use fibre supplements, but if you haven't they might help - something like metamucil which is a soluble fibre supplement might help increase regularity and stool consistency. You might also try plain white yogourt or acidophilus caps which both contain bacteria essential to the digestive process that get wiped out during bouts of diarrhea.

Well, those are the usual suspects in terms of "things you can do". The rest is a diet issue, from your description. A lot of people who suffer from IBS (including many on this board as you can see from posts) try to control their bowel habits through the use of diet. Many of us can't take hot and spicy foods.

I'm of course the exception to all this, since I deal with IBS at a different level.

Cheers, Raju.

RBD616 · 06-09-2005, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the replies, folks. It is reassuring to hear others talk about the same things. Question on those fiber supplements: I've always thought fiber will aggravate diarrhea. It is one thing I never really tried because I'm afraid too.

I definitely believe in the acidofolous (probiotics).. I found a fantastic brand, a year ago, called Reuteri. I was having real bad symptoms at this time and this really seemed to cure me. I have continued to take it, and still think it helps somewhat, but doesn't seem to work as well as it used to.

6th_sense · 06-10-2005, 03:23 PM

Hi RBD,

Fibre is a naturally occuring thing. It occurs in many foods like fruits and vegetables and it sticks end to end to form a fibrous framework for food to stay together and take a proper form. The intestines require it. However, sometimes there is not enough fibre in our intake, and so the stools don't form properly. The fibre itself is just discarded in the stool and isn't of any nutritional value.

IBS patients suffer more than most people from malformed stools. Therefore, taking fibrous foods and fibre supplements helps IBS patients get their stools formed properly. It helps diarrhea and constipation in giving structure to stools, but it is particularly useful in diarrheal cases as it absorbs plenty of water and slows down the erratic movement of food through the alimentary canal.

Some forms of fibre are however hard for IBS patients such as non-soluble fibre (doesn't dissolve in water) - so try to use soluble fibre supplements (metamucil and Walmart brand - Equate).

If you take fibre supplements make sure to take plenty of fluids along with it.

Cheers, Raju.