Daily Diarrhea... Freaking out

I have not had a normal bowel movement in many days. Not only is every bowel movement loose but the urge to defecate comes on very suddenly (sometimes soon after eating, sometimes completely out of the blue) and I have a very short amount of time to rush to the bathroom to have explosive diarrhea. Not very much stool comes out, either.

I've been having the urgency to defecate as soon as I wake up in the morning and proceed to pass loose stool followed by later in the day, usually after eating but not always, feeling the urgency to defecate and again passing loose, sometimes explosive, stool. Every bowel movement this week has followed this pattern (urgency to defecate followed by loose, sometimes explosive, stool).

I even went to the emergency room where they ran a blood, urine, and abdominal CAT scan with contrast all of which were normal.

I started a new low-carbohydrate diet two and a half weeks ago HOWEVER I did not have any gastrointestinal symptoms for two weeks and am only NOW this week having urgent, sometimes explosive, diarrhea for every bowel movement.

I'm only 30 years old and do not want to have to wear diapers or fear leaving the house due to these urgent bowel movements. I'm very concerned, please help. Thank you.

Hi WW,


I do think this sounds like a perfect storm of anxiety and a low carb diet contributing to IBS-D.

Practicing coping skills aling with the use of probiotics, and the BRAT diet should help correct your system.

Wishing you fast relief from thus symptom!

S.C.

No, I have not taken antibiotics recently. Thank you for the responses. I am extremely concerned about this problem. After the emergency room visit I scheduled a doctor visit at my primary physician for this Monday but honestly, I don't have much faith. I expect to be maybe given some routine tests, given no help and sent on my way as always.

So you recommend quitting the low-carb diet?

Diet can change your movements that's for sure. I am on a low carb, high protein/fiber died since Januaryish and definitely had some moments where I was either going a ton or not going at all. My body eventually adjusted. Take comfort in knowing that the ER found nothing abnormal. I'm sure your doc will assist you or point you to someone that can assist in putting you on the right meal plans for your goals.

I have an update and I'm freaking out more than ever. I need help.

My symptoms seemed to have SLIGHTLY improved (the urgency is still there but not as bad and the stool, while still loose, is getting closer to being formed).

I went to the doctor yesterday and gave him the paperwork from my tests from the emergency room. He noted that there was a trace of blood in my urine which I was not told about by the doctor at the emergency room... He took my urine again, no results yet. He also ordered a stool test.

While doing the stool test I noticed there was some bright red blood mixed in with my stool. I know for sure that it is blood because I keep a fecal occult blood test in my bathroom drawer and used it to confirm.

So I was having urgency with explosive diarrhea daily and now I find there is blood in my stool and that ther was a trace of blood in my urine that the "doctor" didn't bother to tell me about?????????????????????????????????????? And I'm supposed to sit here and twiddle my thumbs? I'm both panicked and enraged due to fear and frustration. I need help.