What is this (gut problems - poss TMI)

[aTadConcerned]

I keep getting recurrent diarrhoea (spelling?). It seems to happen every two or three weeks. In between this I'm never what you would call consitpiated - in fact it's always on the softer side of normal. Sorry very graphic and gross. I also suspect I may also be anaemic due to other symptoms that fit that.

Not seen any blood. Occasional stomach pains but these come and go and are not severe.

Am terrified it's something really nasty. Daren't google.

Can anyone help?

no blood is good...blood can would indicate something more serious , eg ulcerative colitis or crohns disease....as would a lot of pain...

possibly IBS.....which can be helped with anti spasmodic.....

it is unlikely to be anything sinister... worth a quick trip to the docs.....honestly....and they can give you iron if you thin you are anaemic....

How long have you been experiencing this?

Does sound like IBS, which can come on from hormones, stress, diet, all sorts ...

It's been going on for about 4 months now. I initially went to dr in sept and he thought it was residual bacteria from a really bad bout of diarrhoea that I had in Feb. Took antibiotics and seemed better for a couple of weeks then it all started again. Went back in oct and dr suggested taking samples but this was a week before we moved house. It seemed to continue on and off since then and here we are all moved in - no doc to go to yet as haven't registered.

No weight loss.

Changed diet to exclude booze and unhealthy stuff and limit bread. No discernable difference.

From what I can tell from posts on here IBS gives really bad pain - haven't had that at all.

Would say yes to being stressed - had baby earlier in the year, bad sleeper, moved house recently to different area altogether.

IBS...can be all levels of pain......and frequent or infrequent...symtoms do vary ...and are triggered by stress..

do you eat a lot of fibre?

I eat my five a day.

IBS varies in severity and symptoms. I don't actually think it's a single syndrome, rather a collection of "your gut is buggered" problems. So to speak.

Hmmm, have you tried yakult or similar to repopulate your gut bacteria? Might work.

You might want to try to track the attacks? See if stress (or menstrual cycle? If you have yours back) is a factor?

Mine is very stress-related, stopping work fixed mine, or nearly.

But surely IBS comes and goes - this seems to go on and on and on and the bits in between the bad diarrhoea aren't compeltely normal so surely it would be more of a distinction if it was IBS?

Softer side of normal isn't necessarily a problem, better for you than the opposite.

Have you tried eating a low-residue sort of diet (as in, lower fibre?). How long do the attacks last? Do you feel unwell when they happen?

Hmm, IBS, ime is just a matter of your gut not working right. Varying randomly between diahroea and constipation, with pain and gas, is "normal" IBS. When I had it, I was almost always in some sort of gut discomfort ...

I'm not saying IBS is the only possible explanation btw! I think you'd be wise to try some sort of live healthy gut bacteria fix first, in case that does it ...

Hve you tried probiotics. I had a really bad tummy bug on holiday last year and have taken probiotics since, especially when on ab's. you can get them in tablet form from Boots or in yoghurt drinks etc.

Haven't yet tried pre-biotics but will get some. Did used to have them when pregnant and BF'ing. Stopped buying them roughly about 4 months ago... hmmmm, so yes there could be a link.

sound like IBS to me. I have been experiencing similar to u, the only difference is i alternate between loose bowel to constipation. i do get gas and pain in my stomach too.

if your stools are loose all the time then phone NHS direct for some advice, I have phoned them several times and they are always really helpful.
It doesnt sound like anything serious like chrons or colitis.