Is this IBS?

[mumtothreeeeeeeee]

For three weeks now (bar a couple of good days) I've either had loose stools in the morning or (poss tmi) had a normal poo followed 10 mins later by a looser stool-kinda shreddy or lots of horrible smelling wind. Unfortunately I'm a bit of a wimp with diarrhoea etc generally because I have low blood pressure and it can make me feel very light headed. This definitely isn't a bug as I can hold these bowel movements in if I have to and I don't have any accompanying stomach cramps but it still isn't pleasant at all. Yesterday i didnt have any symptoms and was just so grateful all day, wonderful to have a settled stomach! I have a lot of anxiety about it tbh, makes me feel nervous about going out and about- so unlike the normal me. I also have 3 dc and dc3 is only 5 months so I need to improve things ASAP!

I do suspect that this was all brought on by stress but for the last week, there has been no stress in my life. Though things don't seem to be calming down. Does ibs come in bouts like this? I think I had another bout at the end of 2010 but symptoms different really- that was abdominal pain soon after starting a meal, followed by lots of wind and after a while I could then eat the rest of the meal. Back then coffee also gave me proper diarrhoea but this time I haven't reacted to coffee as yet. Oh all so complex! Any ibs sufferers I'd be grateful for any insight. Many thanks is advance.

Try going gluten/wheat free for a couple of weeks.

Hmm, do you think? Tbh have changed my diet since the onset of this in that I've cut down on fruit and veg- still eat it but smaller portions and have more bread to try and slow my gut down. It's worked in that I only go every 2 or 3 days but when I do it's obviously not quite right as described above:(. I really think this was brought on by stress but I don't quite know how to break that cycle. I am very anxious whenevr I'm eating/ having coffee with friends now and this has been bad enough to trigger these physical symptoms too:(. Would like to find out about medication for either the ibs or anxiety but part of me just wants to get over if myself..?

My IBS is stress related and I sometimes don't realise I'm stressed until it comes along.

A couple of years ago I was going through a really bad phase and was missing work. I couldn't understand why I would be stressed until I went to the doctor. Instead of explaining what was wrong I burst into undignified tears. I was mortified but she helped me realise I was taking on too much and finding it difficult to settle in a new city.

Are you sure there isn't anything in your life that could be stressing you, mentally or physically?

Try Colpermin either from the Doctors or over the counter chemist. I have had symptoms like this for years and until I tried this my life was miserable.
It brings relief from Painful spasms, Bloating, Trapped wind and Diarrhoea and Constipation. yes stress is a cause.

IBS does tend to be stress related although like freerangeeggs said I don't notice I'm stressed until the symptoms start.

Your symptoms do sound like IBS but I would see my GP anyway & get yourself checked out. GP can also recommend medication/laxatives if he/she feels you need it. IBS tends to be either C - constipation or D - diarrhoea, I have the C but if I am very badly constipated I have some diarhoea which GP assures me is normal (sorry tmi )

You have my every sympathy - my IBS is so bad at the moment I have been off work since the middle of Nov & I'm taking about 10 tablets each day just to keep me pain-free & going to the loo (sorry tmi again!).

Hope you manage to get sorted.