Is it IBS?
Hi, i'm a 21 girl, I haven't received a diagnosis of ibs but I went to my doctor many times on the last five years beacuse of diarrhea episodes. It all started on the high school last year. In summer I had several episodes of diarrhea (until 10 per day). I spent three months in these conditions while my doc prescribed me stool's analysis and blood analysis. I didn't have any infection, I wasn't intolerant to lactose nor gluten but they found out calprotectin, an inflammation sign, really high. It was about 4000 but the normal range was 0-400. Anyway my doctor didn't want to send me to the gastroenterologist, then my symptoms stopped for a while. The following summer I had again some episodes of diarrhea like that and I consulted again my doctor but he told me it was just bowel inflammation. Actually I sometimes suffer of diarrhea episodes but especially of bloating and flatulence at evening. I don't know what to do, I've started FODMAP diet but I'm still feeling bad at evening.
I've also noticed that diarrhea episodes often intensify when I'n stressed for university or exams.
What do you think about it? Pls help.
Thanks for sharing with us. I'd encourage you to be persistent in speaking with your doctor, if your symptoms continue or you have any new, changing or concerning symptoms. In addition to speaking with your doctor, this article on IBS-Diarrhea may be helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/symptoms/diarrhea and a great article on FODMAP and why it may not work: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/low-fodmap-diet-fail Hope those are helpful, please reach out with any questions. Best, Kelly, Team Member 
Hi
, I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I would definitely get a second opinion from a different doctor if you can. I'm obviously not a doctor, but if I'm not mistaken, inflammation might be a sign of something else going on, like IBD.
One of our articles (linked below) talks about this test:
"Fecal calprotectin is a simple and non-invasive method for assessing a protein released by white blood cells, which frequently occurs in IBD."
https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/testing-and-diagnosis/stool-test
I also just looked it up online and have found this:
"Measurement of faecal Calprotectin is considered a reliable indicator of inflammation and numerous studies show that while faecal Calprotectin concentrations are significantly elevated in patients with IBD, patients suffering from IBS do not have increased Calprotectin levels."
Source: https://www.calprotectin.co.uk/about-calprotectin/
Please keep advocating for yourself and don't let doctors dismiss your symptoms (which is so hard, I know, as I'm also female and was diagnosed in my early 20s).
Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)
