Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation. Typically no abnormalities appear during standard medical testing, and so irritable bowel syndrome is identified by the symptoms. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause serious discomfort, the intestines are not harmed.
As the title suggests, I have been having a bowel movement immediately after I eat a meal, or sometimes even just a snack. The stool is usually loose and lacking form, and made up of bits of undigested food (sorry to be graphic).
Now, I am currently 23 years old and have had what I always believed to be mild IBS in the form of frequent flatuence and bloating since I was about 16, but what I'm describing here is something new to my body. These frequent bowel movements are part of a general change in my bowel habit (which began about 2 and a half months ago), consisting of a change in frequency (as discussied), form (my stool used to be very solid and quite dry, but now it's mushy and breaks up in the toilet bowl), and colour (my stool used to be very dark, but suddenly it's a variation of lighter brown shades).
There haven't been any recent changes to my diet or lifestyle (I'm vegan and have been for about a year), although something worth mentioning did happen. I fell pregnant for the first time early in December last year (unfortumately, I lost the baby a few weeks later), and I was overwhelmed with pregnancy symptoms. A sudden repuslion for all plant-based foods and an intense craving for meat led me to give up my vegan diet for exactly two weeks. In those two weeks, I noticed that my stool was lighter in colour and I put this down to the meat consumption (I wasn't eating dairy or eggs - just meat). However, once I returned to my vegan diet my stool bounced back to normal. It was about a month after THAT that my stool/digestive system started behaving the way it is now.
I would be grateful to hear thoughts on what may be causing this, and what I could possibly do to improve it? It's been getting in the way of my studies, my work and my daily routines - as I'm sure you can imagine!
Thank you in advance for your time, and your comments!
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I'nm exhausted. This doxycycline thing has ripped me apart and I'm eating crackers and water. I can't take (anything) or eat (anything) except saltines and toast and maybe unbuttered watery mashed potatoes. Are we sure the cure isn't worse than the possible disease?!?!And a week to go. ***Fun cures that WERE worse than the disease:ARsenic. Popular against STDs, which just compounded misery...
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older . I need to rely on " Imodium " when we go out to eat with others . When
at home after eating--- it's directly to the bathroom for me.. Sometimes the BM
is quite explosive . I have never had the constipation that some some have with IBS.
I do find that anything fried, milk products , beef and chocolate make matters worse
for me AND I find when under stress , this condition is more active.
I've kept a journal of things I've eaten & stressful situations. By doing so, have been able to
pinpoint things that have agrivated this problem.
I was told by the Dr. that once you have IBS, you will always have it. There are medicines
one can take but I am not able to because of side effects .