In 2007, I suffered from my worst flareup ever of IBS. For days, I completely lost the urges for bowel movements, nothing passing and very little gas. I ended up in the hospital out of fears that my colon was blocked. They ran every test in the book including a colonoscopy which came back normal. It was only IBS, but I would continue to suffer for months with gas back pains, and flat shaped stools. I remember that I conquered IBS then with the help of Fiber one, and more important, stopping worrying and forgetting about
the problem.
Now I am in the IBS trap again. It started over two weeks ago with a bout of IBS D. Then gas back pains the next day. That sounds the alarm bell. No urges, and I felt really plugged up. SO I went to work with Fiber one. I continue to release massive amounts of gas, and stools shaped like flat ribbons. Finally a week ago, I produced a stool with some girth and felt so relieved.
That should have ended the cycle cuz I stopped worrying. But it came back on Thursday, and now I feel scared and depressed to continue to see ribbon stools.
My fear is that I might have colon cancer, and of course, ribbon stools are a major sign. Even during the 2007 misery, I would have girths mixed in with ribbons, but it has been weeks since I've produced a really long thick stool. The thickest ones lately have been more the size of a hot dog. I try to reassure myself that if it was colon cancer, it would always be ribbons, no thickness at all.
But as long as I'm worrying, the problem won't go away. Vicious cycle. I don't want another colon exam. For me, it was a horrible painful experience. My colon is very twisty and long, and I definitely felt extreme pain. I said I would never do that again.
Can anyone offer me reassurance? i'm only 37, and no signs of cancer 3 years ago.