Morning Bowel Movements: A Personal Account
As a brief introduction, I am a 25-year-old male currently prescribed sertraline at a dosage of 50 mg. For the last three years, I have experienced troubling bouts of watery diarrhea in the mornings, occurring about once or twice weekly. This unfortunate episode typically follows breakfast; however, it can happen whether or not I eat in the morning or indulge in my daily coffee. These incidents consistently take place around the same time each morning and only occur once, never reappearing throughout the day. Thankfully, there is no visible blood or undigested food present in the stool. The only peculiar observation is a yellowish hue on the toilet paper after wiping. During these distressing diarrhea episodes, I often encounter a mild sensation of burning and tightness in my upper left abdomen, although it is more discomfort than true pain and tends to linger for most of the day. I suspect that these episodes may be influenced by my consumption of greasy or sugary foods, as well as stress levels. Importantly, I have not experienced any major weight fluctuations; in fact, I seem to be gainingweight. I have consulted various medical professionals regarding this issue, but all have suggested it could be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They also indicated that a colonoscopy might be unjustifiably costly for someone of my age, especially considering I reside in the United States.
Answers (1)
4/2/2025, 5:40:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing recurrent morning diarrhea that could be related to dietary habits or stress, and while you've been reassured it might be IBS, it's understandable to want more clarity on your situation. Here’s how to approach managing your symptoms effectively.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Watery diarrhea that occurs regularly, particularly after meals, could be linked to various factors. In young adults, causes often include dietary triggers (like greasy or sugary foods), stress levels, and gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS. The yellowish color on toilet paper may suggest a bile salt issue but is likelier related to food digestion. The burning sensation you describe in your abdomen might be associated with gastrointestinal sensitivity or irritation.
Next Steps: Actionable Guidance
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Diet Monitoring: Start a food diary to track what you eat, especially breakfast and coffee. Note any corresponding bowel movements. This can help identify specific triggers.
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Diet Modifications: Consider reducing your intake of greasy and sugary foods and evaluate how this impacts your symptoms. It may also help to try smaller meals and see if that eases your digestive issues.
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Hydration and Electrolytes: Ensure adequate hydration, especially during and after episodes of diarrhea. Consider electrolyte solutions if episodes are frequent to maintain balance.
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Stress Management: Incorporate stress-reducing techniques into your routine, such as mindfulness, yoga, or regular exercise. Stress can significantly impact gut health.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms over a month. If you notice significant changes or worsening symptoms (like persistent pain, weight loss, or new digestive issues), note those changes carefully for discussion with a healthcare provider.
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Consider a Probiotic: Probiotics may help improve gut flora, which can have a positive impact on digestion and potentially alleviate symptoms of IBS.
When to Seek Further Help
It’s important to keep monitoring your symptoms, especially for any changes. If you experience severe abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or any new symptoms, it would be prudent to seek medical advice sooner. If your symptoms persist despite making these adjustments, discussing further diagnostic options with a healthcare provider may also be necessary.
Your concerns are valid, and taking these proactive steps may give you insights into managing your symptoms better. Let me know if you have any more questions or need further clarification on any points!
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Could This Be IBS or Something Else?
Greetings! I’m a 27-year-old male, standing at 172 cm and of European descent, currently using Iqos. My medical troubles began roughly four months ago, around October 5, 2025. Initially, I experienced intense back pain lasting for two days, which I recognized as kidney stone pain. To alleviate this discomfort, I took NSAIDs, predominantly Metamizole-Natrium. Afterward, I visited urgent care, where I was given Diclofenac and Monural, an antibiotic for urinary tract infections. I took one of each at night. **A couple of days later, I started experiencing several troubling symptoms:** - Frequent diarrhea (4-5 times a day, often watery) - Significant gas and belching - Persistent nausea that greeted me each morning, sometimes relieved by eating - A general sense of malaise - A loss of 5 kg (I dropped from 63 kg) because I lacked appetite, especially under stress. These symptoms developed quickly and intensified through October, fluctuating over time. Blood tests showed no abnormalities, with normal CRP levels. Then in November, I underwent a colonoscopy and gastroscopy. - I had three very small erosions, about 1-2 mm, in the terminal ileum, but no signs of inflammation. Histology revealed no pathological issues, all was well. - There was one small erosion in the sigmoid colon, with minor inflammation around it. Histological findings indicated small infiltration in the lamina propria but no chronic signs, leading to a diagnosis suggesting a high likelihood of infection. - The areas were healing, with fibrin present. The rest of my colon appeared healthy. The doctor attributed the ulcers to NSAID-induced damage. I was later diagnosed with LA-A GERD. Due to my anxiety about health, I spent the month consumed by fears of complications such as colon cancer, PC, or Crohn's disease. I finally found some relief and felt symptom-free for the subsequent two weeks. However, in December the troubles resurfaced, though to a lesser degree, with occasional loose stools—2-3 times for a few days— and lingering gas. My anxiety about Crohn's returned, and I mistakenly took Algopyrin Complex, which triggered additional stress. **In December, my primary worries included:** - Loose stools resembling Bristol type 5-6, mainly occurring once each morning - Excessive gas often felt trapped in my rectum - My weight stabilized at 62 kg **I underwent various tests:** - Negative results for Giardia and E. coli - Negative FIT tests - Negative MRI (everything appeared normal) - Negative MRE (all normal) - Calprotectin level measured at 18.7 - I was found to have low levels of B9 and Vitamin D, with B12 at 320 and LDL at 5.9 **Moving into January:** - I only had one bowel movement each morning, sometimes loose, but mostly firm in the past three weeks (Bristol 4), compared to my usual Bristol 2. - After meals, I often felt gas building in my rectum, sometimes getting stuck before eventually releasing. This gas, thankfully, rarely had an odor. - Mornings have been troublesome, as I needed to pass gas 2-4 times, and in bed at night, I felt bloated with gas movements. **What I have observed:** - No signs of blood in my stools - No pain - No nocturnal symptoms affecting my sleep - No extraintestinal symptoms - My weight has stabilized without additional loss after recovering some weight Overall, I feel fine, yet the worry about my condition persists in my mind. Previously, I would have bowel movements twice weekly, with little to no gas. It baffles me that I often wake up feeling this uncomfortable. My primary concern is whether I should be worried about Crohn's disease (which occupies my thoughts constantly) or if my symptoms might stem solely from anxiety. Currently, I'm taking the following medications and supplements: - Itopride (doctor suggested it for motility issues) - L-Glutamine - Curcumin - A B-complex supplement - Ashwagandha - I briefly tried rifaximin for three days, but it did not yield significant changes. - I had also experimented with antacids previously, though they proved ineffective. Thank you for your assistance in advance!
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