Seeking a Second Opinion on IBS Diagnosis
I'm a 22-year-old male, standing at 5'7" and weighing 155 pounds. Earlier this month, I was taking flowmax and antacids, but I've stopped those medications since. Up until now, I've had no significant medical history. For as long as I can remember, I've been dealing with persistent diarrhea and assumed it was either IBS or lactose intolerance. Over the past year, I've also noticed occasional mucus in my stools and stomach cramps, which I attributed to my IBS diagnosis or possibly excessive alcohol consumption. I've since reduced my drinking, only indulging on weekends now. During my recent deployment with the Navy, I faced severe lower left abdominal pain that led to my medical evacuation from the ship. I experienced nausea, vomiting, and an overwhelming sense of fatigue. A CT scan revealed I had a kidney stone and also diagnosed me with colitis. The scan results were primarily normal, except for issues with my ureters and a sizable fecal blockage. Now, a month later, my kidney stone remains unchanged in my kidney. Lately, I've been experiencing stabbing pains on both the left and right sides of my abdomen, closely associated with my colon. I can tell it's related to my colon because the discomfort intensifies when I press on either side, leading to noticeable stomach rumbling and a persistent urge to relieve myself. Additionally, I have noticed mucus in every stool, and occasionally there appear to be traces of blood—sometimes my stools have a reddish tint or splashes of bright red. My bowel movements have become frequent, exceeding 12 times daily, accompanied by an unyielding sensation of incomplete evacuation. I've also experienced black stools, which my doctor suggested could be due to a possible mucosal tear from vigorous vomiting prior to this. The physician indicated that it might merely be a severe case of IBS. After consulting with my doctor, I was referred to a gastrointestinal specialist; however, they informed me that my first appointment wouldn’t be until this November—or potentially even next year. Thank you for reading all of this; I realize it’s quite a bit to digest. I'm feeling uncertain and believe something isn’t quite right with my health. I’ve never encountered anemia or related issues in past ER visits, but I’m constantly in discomfort and struggling with my digestion. Additionally, I still haven't passed the kidney stone, but I do have a ureteroscopy scheduled for September.
Answers (1)
7/25/2025, 7:20:47 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a range of troubling gastrointestinal symptoms alongside a history of kidney stones and recent medical interventions. You have legitimate concerns regarding your health, especially given the recurrent pain, changes in bowel habits, and presence of mucus and blood in your stools. Here’s a summary of your situation and some actionable guidance.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms (frequent diarrhea, mucus and blood in stools, abdominal pain) raise concerns that require careful monitoring.
- You may have multiple issues affecting your gastrointestinal health, and they need to be assessed comprehensively.
- A waiting period for specialist appointments can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take in the meantime.
Explanation:
Persistent diarrhea, especially with mucus and blood, along with significant abdominal pain, can be indicative of various gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (like colitis), infections, or complications related to IBS. Your experiences of frequent bowel movements and sensations of incomplete evacuation are concerning and warrant attention. Additionally, the longstanding kidney stone may pose other health challenges.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms Closely:
- Keep a detailed symptom diary, noting the frequency of your bowel movements, characteristics (i.e., color, presence of blood or mucus), pain levels, and any associated symptoms (like nausea or fatigue). This information is useful for your healthcare provider.
-
Diet Adjustments:
- Maintain a food diary to identify any potential triggers (dairy, spicy foods, high fiber, etc.) that worsen your symptoms. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may alleviate some discomfort.
- Ensure you stay well-hydrated, especially since diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
-
Urgently Assess for Warning Signs:
- If you notice worsening blood in your stools, severe pain that does not improve, or any new symptoms like fever, seek medical help immediately. These could indicate a more acute issue that needs urgent attention.
-
Explore Alternative Consultation Options:
- If you're waiting too long for a gastroenterology appointment, consider seeking a second opinion or alternative providers, such as urgent care clinics that specialize in gastrointestinal problems. Some facilities offer quicker appointments or telehealth consultations.
-
Consider Stress Management:
- Since you’ve mentioned anxiety about your health, practices such as mindfulness, yoga, or seeking support from a counselor can help manage stress and potentially improve your symptoms.
Your health concerns are valid, and it’s important to prioritize your well-being while you await further medical evaluation. Be proactive about your symptoms and don’t hesitate to reach out for help sooner if you feel your situation is worsening. Your comfort and health are important, and you deserve proper care and evaluation.
Related Questions
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!
Can Eating More Fiber Alleviate Menstrual Cycle-Related Constipation?
Every month, during the week and a half leading up to my menstrual period, I experience constipation. I'm curious if boosting my fiber consumption might ease this issue. I already ensure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I am a woman in my mid-20s.
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Interpreting My Gastrointestinal Discomfort
A 26-year-old female, weighing 155 pounds, has a background of experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and anxiety. She has been using marijuana for several years and is currently taking venlafaxine at a dosage of 150 mg each day. Residing in the Midwest USA, she identifies as white. On January 20th, she experienced what she initially believed to be a low blood sugar episode. Due to being preoccupied and busy, she had not consumed much food throughout the day. Consequently, she felt lightheaded, nauseated, pale, and was sweating. To alleviate these symptoms, she consumed around 60 to 80 grams of carbohydrates once they began, but it took roughly 2.5 hours for her to start feeling better. The following day, she faced additional discomforts including nausea, heartburn, body aches, trembling with chills and sweats, along with diarrhea. These symptoms persisted for a few days. By January 23rd, she consulted urgent care, where the medical team suspected a stomach virus and advised her to let it run its course. Regrettably, her stomach has not returned to its normal state since that incident. She has been experiencing occasional heartburn and indigestion reminiscent of her previous severe GERD episodes. Additionally, she is suffering from lower abdominal cramps, particularly triggered by consuming items like popcorn or spicy foods, which feels akin to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. During the height of her symptoms on January 20th, she ceased smoking. She partook in smoking a few times between January 24th and 28th, without noticing any changes in her symptoms – positive or negative – and has refrained from smoking since then. It is worth noting that she has not experienced any vomiting or severe abdominal pain typically associated with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Are her symptoms indicative of CHS? She intends to abstain from smoking yet seeks clarity on the underlying cause of her discomfort. She has read about post-viral IBS and is curious if the suspected stomach virus has reignited her GERD, which had been stable for several years.