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.

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Gastrointestinal System
/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

Diarrhea Constantly

Ltb3105
Ltb3105
I don't know what I have.....Crohn's IBS, Colitis, Diverticulitis....all I know is that for the past week or so I am having gurgling and bubbling in my stomach followed by loose stools/diarrhea. It especially happens during the night, after I eat dinner. Then, it continues several times, causing me to lose sleep. I don't hardly eat during the day because I am afraid if I have to go out to run errands, I may need to use a rest room when one isn't near. I seem to not have a problem with this during the day if I don't eat.

I may also add that there is a lot of stress lately in the household as my husband of 31 years may be laid off the end of the year.

Any advice would be appreciated.
annettearizona
annettearizona
Talk to your dr=you may need a colonscopy or atleast some adjustment on your diet...you could just have a touch of the stomach flu?
22Lynn
22Lynn
I think for a lot of people stress will settle in your intestinal tract. It doesn't mean you have a disease. It should go away when the stress goes away. One thing I do if I start to feel stressed or anxiety is to take a short walk. The exercise stops the physical symptoms, and it releases endorphins in your brain.

Have you tried Immodium AD yet? You can't go on not eating. You could eat a really soothing diet for a few days to a week to let your intestines rest. The BRAT diet is good. My pediatrician gave it to me when my sons got the flu. I still use it if I get sick. You eat bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast. Throw in at least one Gatorade type drink to keep your electrolytes balanced. Hopefully you will feel better in a week or so. Probiotics really help when your having diahrea, but they need to be a high quality.

If your not better in a week I would see your doctor. There are more potent diahrea drugs, like Lomotil. I hope your feeling better soon.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
Finally was able to make an appt. with PCP tomorrow. Everyone I have spoken to about my situation says it's IBS caused by stress. Who knows? All I know is that I haven't had a normal BM in a month and am tired of playing games with my bowels, "will I have to go if I go out?" kinda mind games.

Wish me luck. Hate going to doctors and get panic attacks.
22Lynn
22Lynn
Let us know how things turn out for you.
annettearizona
annettearizona
They do have disposable underwear-which pull up and down just like regular underwear for when you go out youmight feel more secure
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
Doc ordered complete blood workup......if the test is negative, next are stool samples testing and a breath test for h pylori (bacterial infection that settles in the intestines). Gave me a script for an antispasmodic in the meantime.
annettearizona
annettearizona
Sounds like the proper steps
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Could also be a recently developed food allergy/sensitivity. I've had many come on like that. Must say that I did chuckle over the BRAT diet - since if I ate it now - I'd be on the ceramic throne all night. But just six years ago I would've been fine on it.

My point is - that there is no perfect healing diet for everyone. Each of us ends up with sensitivities to different foods (AKA our 'flare foods') Sure, the stress is likely a big part of the equation - but like your Dr - I'd also rule out viral/bacterial causes too. IBS is generally not suspected until you've gone months with digestive problems and all other causes have been eliminated.

Good luck to you! Hope that it is just a virus/bacteria.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
Lab work came back negative..........no infection, no nothing, must be all stress related...ugh............
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hopefully it's nothing to serious since it's only been for around a week, but that has to be miserable. I hope you get to feeling better. I highly recommend taking probiotics and eating lots of cheese and bread to stop you up. It is not good to go without eating when you are sick, so please be sure to eat lots of yummy fibrous foods. Although the diarrhea is not fun at all, it is much more tolerable when there is something in your stomach to help dilute the acidity a bit.
22Lynn
22Lynn
When I had a 10 month flare of IBS-D I started drinking Ensure several times a day because I just couldn't stand the thought of food any more. They make it in several flavors, and also have a gluten free line. They do taste good too. Lots of nutrients you need. My doctor suggested this.

I agree, a really good probiotics should be taken daily.

I hope your feeling better soon. If not ask your doctor for Lomotil for a month. It always stops my D now.
zzztop
zzztop
I GOT THAT SAME THING MY HUSBAND WAS HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE GUY HE WORKED WITH AND I WAS SO NERVOUS . I STARTED GETTING DIARRHEA LIKE AT 3:00AM IN MORNNG AND MY BOWELS HURT , (AND I DO NOT LIKE DRS. WELL I FINELLY HAD TO GO TO GASTRO. DR. HE WAS REAL NICE . HAD TO GET COLESNOSPY. IT IS NOT BAD AT ALL JUST THE DAY BEFORE. THE PREP. HE JUST SAID I HAD IBS. THEN JUST 9 MONTHS AGO HAD ONE I HAVE THAT DIVERTICULOIS SO DOES MY SISTER.. THE ONLY ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS TRY TO EAT BLAND FOOD LIKE PROGRESSIVE LOVE SODIUM. YOGART WITH PRO BIOTICS IN IT 80 CALORIE EAT 2 A DAY. DON,T TAKE LOTRIMIN TO STOP THE DIARREHI. I HAVE HAD STOMACK PROBLEMS FOR EVER AND THE OLDER YOU GET YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND HOW MUCH. YOU DON,T HAVE CROHNS MY CUSION HAS THAT THAT IS HORRIBLE. I GET ALOT OF HEART BURN TO . WRITE TO ME ANY TIME DEAR NEW FRIEND. HUGS
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
thank you for all the suggestions and replies, very frustrating when nothing is found wrong, in a way I was hoping it was something so I could get a quick cure, ya know? lotta stress here lately, hubby not being any help since he is worried about a job layoff next March after being with the company over 30 yrs.
isabelle1954
isabelle1954
When I went through perimenopause, my bowels got really loose, and it didn't help that I was affected by stress as well. Elavil 20mg. really settled things down and helped me sleep . Immodium has also been a godsend for the "gallopping horses" down below. Hope you are feeling better. Isabelle1954