Posted 4/25/2012 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all, I'm new. I came here because I've been having this problem for quite some time and I just don't know what it is. I told my mom I thought it was IBS and she barely seems concerned/doesn't believe me.
Sorry for the post length! I just feel I need to relay the whole story!
When I was 17, I got my first job and my diet mostly consisted of fast food. All day, every day. That's when the symptoms began. Diarrhea, frequent bathroom breaks, terrible stomach cramping/feeling the very sudden, intense need to use the bathroom. I would literally run to the bathroom, have diarrhea, leave, and be back in five minutes later. That would happen a few times before it would finally let up for a few hours.
Well, I always assumed it was because of my trashy diet. I lost about 30 pounds since then and I never eat out. I drink only water or juice and I keep my meals fairly small. I stay away from junk food as much as I can and only eat easy meats (fish, chicken) a few times a week. This change in diet has me feeling great, except for the bathroom problems I'm still having.
Now, I will say that it's not as bad as it used to be. However, I still have bowel movements about six times today. They're very small, but always the same: sudden, intense abdominal cramping and a need to get to the bathroom ASAP. My stool is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS the same: yellow, watery, with bouts of gas and extreme burning. The smell is horrid.
As soon as I'm done I feel so much better, but lo and behold, 20 minutes later (or a few hours, depending on what I ate) I'm back in the bathroom.
The only thing that EVER gives me normal stool is if I fill my diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, with few grains and meats. And I mean fresh. Home made salads, stuff like that (even the bagged, pre-made salads don't help.)
I really don't know if I can live like a very strict health nut, and even if I could, I can't afford it right now (23-year-old college student).
What is everyone's opinion? Does it sound like IBS?