Are flat stools a symptom ofIBS?

Hi. Me again obsessing over my stools!! I was wondering if occasional flat stools are a symptom of IBS. I can be having "normal" stools and then it will come out flat. Sometimes it happens at the end of a normal bm and sometimes it's just soft and flat on its own. I've read that is can be due to the colon being inflamed due to irritation. Of course when this happens my anxiety kicks in and then everything goes nuts and I'm in the bathroom every hour. I think I'm really obsessing about this too much. I need to get used to having these bouts of ibs and come to accept that my bowel movements are what they are. As long as there is no blood or pain I need to relax. Bowel movements are affected by what you eat and they are never going to be the same. I noticed they get worse if I have too much sugar the day before. Is this common? I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that what I'm going through us normal for us ibs folks. My bathroom habits pretty much occupy my mind 24/7. It's needs to stop. I haven't had a colonoscopy but I have had a CT of that whole area about 4 or 5 years ago. I was in the er due to extreme pain and they were concerned I had diverticulitis or colitis. They found nothing but impacted stool. I'm thinking if there were a tumor or even polyps they would have seen something and recommended a colonoscopy. I definitely need to get a grip!! And you guys are always good at supplying reassurance. Thanks.

I have crohn's and have had flat stools for years. After my surgery years ago, I was so disappointed when this symptom did not go away. I was so looking forward to a normal bm. The Specialist told me the flat stools were most likely from a damaged lumen because of the crohn's. IBS may cause ribbon like stools as well, infact it is listed as one of the symptoms of IBS. BUT, always check with your doctor.