Diarrhea & muscle twitches

Do you have IBS? I have pain-predominant IBS-A and I experienced these random muscle twitches many times daily in different parts of the body for over a year. Because the first time onset of my IBS was very sudden, with excellent health before that, I believe the twitches are related somehow to the IBS, but cannot say how, and neither can my MD. My vitamin and mineral levels are not abnormal, my diet is healthy, and at the time, I was taking vitamin/mineral supplements too, in case something was deficient that was not showing up through the usual means. As Western medicine was not helping my IBS and I was nearly non-functional and desperate, I sought acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine from a local practice previously affiliated with the Integrative Medicine units of two internationally known teaching hospitals in a nearby major city, and over a long period of time, the twitches and several other symptoms lessened in frequency.

Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how. Acupuncture/TCM has been studied by Western medical norms as inconclusive for IBS. It helps me somewhat, but everybody is different. Still, since people don't generally bring up twitching in the context of IBS, I want to let you know that you are not alone.

I do not have IBS, just post cholecystectomy syndrome according to two different gastroenterologists. I had completely normal digestive system until I had my gall bladder removed. Been down hill every since with my digestion. Never been constipated. Just diarrhea, loose stools and sometimes with strict dietary changes I have a formed BM.

Thanks for letting me know I am not alone. I appreciate that so much!

I have had electrolytes (including potassium) checked a few months ago and at the time only my calcium level was a hair low. I am breastfeeding and my lactation consultant says that breastfeeding moms often fall short in calcium until weaning time. Then calcium levels go back to normal or even better than when they started. My daughter that I am breastfeeding actually has a milk allergy and so I am sure she is taking extra calcium that way from nursing.

Meanwhile the muscle twitches drive me crazy especially if I am sitting still as they are more noticeable to me then. They literally are every minute of the day. Very annoying. So I try to keep my body moving and my mind busy with other things to try to ignore them. It's difficult. I hope this too shall pass.

I wondered if this was a stress response of some sort as my son is going through some unexpected health problems and I have developed GERD on top of my bile salt diarrhea over the past year. Oh the fun never stops! Can you hear my sarcasm? =)

Yes, I take a pre-natal vitamin, I split in half and take one half in the morning and the other half late in the afternoon to try to maximize absorption. I also take extra folic acid because historically my RDW was somewhat elevated I guess that's seen commonly with people who have chronic diarrhea. RDW is where the red blood cells get too big. Plus I have a MTHFR mutation disorder which essentially is a minor blooding clotting disorder, puts me at a great risk of having miscarriages (I've had 2) and also it can inhibit my body's ability to absorb folic acid. After taking extra folic acid my RDW did go to a normal level with my last complete blood count. I also take extra vitamin D.

Guys have you ever heard of BFS-Benign fasciculation syndrome?

I suffer from that too, and IBS is a commom sympton if you have BFS. But to have it, you need to feel not only twitchings but muscle pain, burning sensation...