No consistency bowel movements

Lately, I've had bowel movements that are odder than usual.  They start out normal but by the tiime I'm finished they've turned fluffy!  What's up with that?  Is this just typical IBS?  I must admit mine have never been what some people would consider normal.  Typically it's constipation, then normal, then loose.  All in one week. The frequency and color are normal, but the consistency isn't.  I have to confess that I've been eating pretty poorly of late.  I'm thinking that's part of it.  And my stress level is pretty high.  I've decided I'm going to start taking Citrucel.  I understand that sometimes helps normalize things a little.  Does anyone else have these types of bowel movements?  Or am I alone in this?  It's things like this that make me an active participant on both this site and the anxiety page! 

Mine have been inconsistent lately - start going to the toilet with diarrhoea, end up staying there longer when it turns to constipation. Strange bowel movements to begin with, look regular by the end... I've been watching my diet really carefully for the last few months... I'd have to put it down to stress in my life.

The reasons for IBS are unknown. But most of the health care providers curse the poor dieting habits, stress levels to the prime cause. Abdominal pain or even cramping, Bloating, Gastro intestinal issues, Diarrhea or the constipation issues, Mucus in the stools can be specified as the symptoms of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Things to do: You have clearly specified the diet habits and the stress levels which are the companion of this condition. Try to improve your diet habits by ingesting the foods rich in fiber, increasing the fluid (mostly water and avoid liquor) intake, probiotic foods like yogurt (in moderation), exercise

Things to avoid: Junk foods like fast and processed foods. Fluids like alcohol should be avoided as much as possible.

I agree with marsky regarding the avoiding the caffeine for treating the effects of IBS. Though it is hard to forget the loving first sip of coffee reading the newspaper daily, we should moderate it and slowly avoid its consumption. I agree with many other who say it is a stress buster. It may be true but we should concern about our health and later about busting the stress.