4 questions about IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

islandgirl · 08-14-2003, 08:19 AM

Hi everyone: I've got three questions about IBS.

1. Can IBS cause loose stools that dissolve easily but not exactly watery diahhrea. My stools are more loose than watery. Occasionally there are watery. But they can range from formed, to loose, to watery. But always yellow.

2. Can IBS cause a constant burning like low-grade pain in the abdomen, shifting sides, right or left, but always center.

3. Can IBS cause a lot of gurgling noises all over.

4. Can IBS cause a stool occult blood test to be positive, yet not see any actual blood on stool or paper?

I would really appreciate your responses. Thanks.

steveo · 08-14-2003, 04:10 PM

hi, the only thing i might be able to help u with is the gurgling noises,i have had ibs for about 5 years and im pretty they r a part of this condition as i have them too

descartesmum · 08-14-2003, 11:47 PM

Personally I can answer yes to the first 3. The last I don't know. When I passed dried blood it was by being sick. I was diagnosed in 1969.

pdrq221 · 08-15-2003, 02:12 PM

Your fourth question doesn't make much sense...
the whole point of a fecal occult blood test is to detect blood that you can't see with your naked eye. So asking whether a positive FOBT even though you can't see it, well yes...if it tested positive, that means it found blood in your stool, even if it was only microscopic amounts.

Usually if blood was found your doctor would have discussed with you the findings and their significance, and then would decide upon further treatment and investigation to determine the cause of the GI bleeding.