Earlier today I posted a thread about
passing mucous without a stool. Someone replied that this
is a symptom of IBS based on the Rome II Guidelines (which have been medically established as definitive of IBS).
Under the typical listings of IBS (such as ones you find on the internet) you do not find passing of mucous without a stool as a specific symptom. They only say "excessive amounts of mucous." To me there is a difference and the symptom is not clearly defined. It could mean the passing of mucous IN a stool, the passage of mucous ON a stool or the passage of mucous WITHOUT a stool. I guess because I am a hypochondriac I wanted to make sure that the passage of mucous WITHOUT a stool was truly a symptom of IBS since the typically listed symptoms did not specify the meaning of "excess mucous" and I never go by just what others say or by non-professionals.
I had never heard of the Rome II Guidelines until the reply so I did some research on it. The only articles I could find were very lengthy and spoke more to professionals than laypersons. I could not find the mention of passing watery, mucous filled stools as a symptom in any of the Rome II Guidelines articles that I read. It was in the early hours of the morning and I gave up my search.
However (blushing) I did just find a simple article that was easily readable. It does say, "the passage of mucous." I take this to mean that it is the passage of mucous WITHOUT a stool since further down the list it specifies, "passing mucus (white material) during a bowel movement." This differentiates the two and satisfies my concerns.
I know that many, many threads have been posted that list the symptoms of IBS but for those of you, like myself, who have never heard of or read the Rome II Guidelines for IBS here they are. Remember they have been medically established as definitive of IBS so I believe they are accurate and can be fully trusted.
My thanks to the reply that led me to these Guidelines.
The Rome II Guidelines are the current standard for IBS
The Rome II diagnostic criteria of Irritable Bowel Syndrome always presumes the absence of a structural or biochemical explanation for the symptoms and is made only by a physician. (My quote:"This is a real issue for me because I firmly believe and wholeheartedly agree that a thorough exam by a doctor should be done to rule out other illnesses that can mimic IBS).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be diagnosed based on at least 12 weeks (which need not be consecutive) in the preceding 12 months, of abdominal discomfort or pain that has two out of three of these features:
1. Relieved with defecation; and/or
2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool; and/or
3. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.
Symptoms that Cumulatively Support the Diagnosis of IBS:
1. Abnormal stool frequency (may be defined as greater than 3 bowel movements per day and less than 3 bowel movements per week);
2. Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool);
3. Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete evacuation);
4. Passage of mucus;
5. Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension.
Supportive Symptoms of IBS:
1. Fewer than three bowel movements a week
2. More than three bowel movements a day
3. Hard or lumpy stools
4. Loose (mushy) or watery stools
5. Straining during a bowel movement
6. Urgency (having to rush to have a bowel movement)
7. Feeling of incomplete bowel movement
8. Passing mucus (white material) during a bowel movement
9. Abdominal fullness, bloating, or swelling
I stand corrected, 
Sylvia