First time poster
Hi, this is my first time posting on this forum and tbh I'm not 100% if I even have IBS. I was hoping for some advice from people that do suffer, to ask if the symptoms I sometimes experience are infact IBS related.
These symptoms have been a part of my life for the last 20 or so years but not so frequent that I was particularly worried and mostly put it down to just something bad I'd eaten at the time but now as time has gone on and I have had repeated episodes which are all very similar, I begin to wonder if infact I have either IBS or something similar.
It always seems to follow the same pattern which is: sudden need to empty my bowels, like need to get to a toilet within 2 minutes. Once I've made it to the toilet I am generally completely soaked in sweat, have the worse stomach cramps and then a sudden onset of, basically, diarrhoea. This usually lasts anywhere from 10 - 40 mins and during this time I cannot leave the toilet lol. After its "done" and I feel I can leave the toilet I am completely exhausted and almost grey in colour. I usually then just go straight to sleep and wake up feeling mostly OK.
This maybe happened once or twice a year, then not at all for a good 4 or 5 years but over the last couple years it's been happening more frequently, and more aggressively?
Just looking for some advice really as to whether or not these symptoms are something that IBS sufferers experience? Am currently waiting on a GP appointment but at the moment it's a looking like a long wait so any advice before would be greatly appreciated!
I'm so sorry that you're struggling with this! As you said, the only way to determine whether you have IBS or not is to have your doctor run a bunch of tests to rule out other causes before diagnosing you.
However, something you could try while you wait for your appointment is keeping a food diary to track possible foods that might trigger these episodes. You could also give the Low FODMAP diet a try (here's an article about it: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/ibs-diet) to see if it helps in the meantime.
I hope that you get to see your GP soon! Wishing you all the best. - Karina (IrritableBowelSyndrome.net Team Member)
This sounds like a flare-up if I've ever heard one! When it happens to me I'll end up feeling awfully clammy and light headed. Some folks actually pass out, it can get so bad. When that happens I just sit there and massage my tummy to get everything out. I'll even get my foot up on my tippy toes to act like a squatty potty. Getting your legs up helps relax your muscles and allows for a better poop!
I hope you've been feeling well as of late. I know uncomfortable it can get, and I hope that, since this last post, you've explored means of relief that help you out. that might take the edge off.
Thank you so much for sharing with us and I hope you're that much closer to getting a diagnosis or help from a doctor! Sending positive thoughts your way ~ Sawyer (team member)
