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worried after reading an ibs site

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 11/20/2007 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
I came across a site devoted to ibs this morning and something in it has worried me. The statement is made that diarrhoea or soft motions every day is not a symptom of ibs. I do always have very soft faeces first thing then OK for rest of day. What are your opinions on this. Do others have very soft stools on awakening every day?
Posted 11/20/2007 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had a Colonoscopy yet?If not make an appointment for one.
Posted 11/20/2007 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, colonoscopy booked for 12 Dec.
Posted 11/20/2007 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
I do-----I have soft b.m.s every morning--then, nothing the rest of the day! My mother is 79 years old----she has soft b.m.s---for as long as I can remember---I think she's IBS b/c she is sensitive to certain foods----but, she's 79 and still going strong! I guess if your colonoscopy doesn't show anything----and you continue to get them in the future----then, you are doing what you can to keep an 'eye' on it!
Posted 11/20/2007 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Diarrhea and soft or otherwise abnormal (for you) stools can be a sign of IBS. They can also be a sign of other things, such as a bad gall bladder, parasites, bacterial overgrowth/infection, "stomach flu", or other things, but yes, both can definitely be a sign of IBS. The Rome II Criteria, which form the guidelines to help doctors diagnose IBS say that diarrhea or constipation or a change in stool size, shape or volume is one of the signs of IBS.

If one soft movement per day is all you have going on that seems unusual, and especially if it's been going on for a while, that may be normal for you. Some people just naturally have soft stools. My mother informs me that my stepfather has stools like that; always has.
Posted 11/20/2007 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Easta,

Have you officially been diagnosed as having IBS? Diarrhea and loose stool can be two big symptoms in Irritable Bowel, so I am not sure why the site you read said otherwise. You mention having soft stool in the morning, and then being fine the rest of the day. Is the movement in the morning associated with any other symptoms -- pain, cramping, urgency, etc? If soft stool in the morning is your only symptom, I'd have to agree with Keriamon and say that it might just be "normal" for you. My BF is this way, he has soft stool once or twice a day, but he has no problems with this and it's just the way he is.

If the soft stools have been going on for a while and are your primary symptom, I would say not to worry over it too much. If you have a sudden change in your BMs or they are accompanied by lots of pain or bleeding, then it would be wise to check this out with a physician. Or re-check it out if you've already been diagnosed with IBS, as the case may be.
Posted 11/21/2007 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Soft stools can also be from IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).

:)
Posted 11/21/2007 8:31 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks for those replies. I think the site I came across was saying that periods of soft and/or hard stool should be interspersed with normal bms but that obviously is not the case for everyone (including some of the respondents to this question).

I also have a theory that hormonal disturbance can contribute to digestive upsets. I had a bout of strange bms at the age of 29 then have been fine until August this year (I am now 51) and having definite menopausal symptoms such as feeling hot and palpitations etc.

It would be interesting to know what age all you good people are (those who don't mind disclosing this sometimes sensitive info!!) to see if there is a general link between hormonal upheaval and IBS problems.

Take care all.
Posted 11/21/2007 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry - forgot to answer some of the questions. I do have cramping and distension at times (quite a bit of cramping yesterday actually although not immediately after the bm - later in the day.) I have not been diag with IBS and presumably that may come if (as I hope) the colonoscopy comes back clear. Today's "offering" was not quite as loose as yesterday's but oddly shaped tapering to a thin end. Ah well - it's good to know others are out there battling. Keep cheerful!
Posted 11/21/2007 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
There is definitely a link to hormones for both IBS and IBD...I'm 40 but have been suffering with crohns since my early 20's and suspected IBS about 5 yrs ago now.

:)
Posted 11/21/2007 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
There is most certainly a correlation between hormones and IBS. Many women notice that symptoms change or become worse right before and during menstruation. I am predominantly IBS-D, but for about 3 or 4 days before my period I switch to being constipated. Once my period starts I'm back to D, worse than usual. I straighten back out as my period ends, and then I'm back to "normal." Normal being a relative term because I still have frequent D. I would think that any major hormone change such as menapouse could really affect the bowels, since even the minor changes of menstruation do so.
Posted 11/29/2007 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I too have soft b.m. in the morning, along w/ pain & cramping throughout the day. Ugh! This all started about 2 months ago, while I was taking penicillin for an infected wisdom tooth. Took penicillin for about 3 wks., have been tested for C-Diff (which came back neg.), but am still having the symptoms (pain, cramping, muscle aches, head aches, etc.). Also, it seems as if I'm constipated but, when I finally go, it's soft. I can't help but worry. I've seen a G.I. 1x, she did a bunch of tests (including for parasites) and all came back neg. Still waiting to see her again to figure out where to go next. So frustrating!!
Posted 11/29/2007 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
CariAnne, you might very well have antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It just means that the antibiotics have killed off the good bacteria in your intestines which break down your food for you. With too few bacteria in there to help digest, you get stool problems.

Try taking a probiotic for three weeks and see if you get better. I've had to do this myself to clear up diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. I can get by with an Activia yogurt once a day, plus acdiophillus milk, but you may need a bigger dose of probitics. Look for Culturelle or Digestive Advantage in any pharmacy's bowel-products section. These are heavy on the probitics, and they may cause gas and/or gas cramping as a side effect, but that usually goes away after about a week. It's a lot like fiber that way. I find the Culturelle is very strong for me and I don't get over the gas problem, so I take one before bed and sleep most of the gas off. I put up with it while I'm on the antibiotics, then switch over to the yogurt for three weeks; they work to get me back on track.
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