Does this warrant a trip to the GP? Is is a persistent change in bowel habit?

[Tunnocks34]

I’ve always had what I would say are sensitive bowels. Can have diarrhoea when stressed, nervous.

Since Christmas, so have had 5 instances of diarrhoea, always in the same pattern. Evening time, Sudden bloating and cramping following by what I can only describe as the complete emptying of my bowels (typically over two three hours) Sometimes there is white mucus. This will then stop by morning and I’ll be fine for a month or so, with normal bowel habits, and then it will randomly appear (have not identified anything I’ve eaten in common these times, except for seeds, and sweetcorn, and even then not excessively)

Is this something I’d need to bother a gp with? Would you? Can’t say it affects my life other that my health anxiety convincing me it’s bowel cancer.

Is it linked to menstrual cycle at all?

Are there any links with drinking certain things? Certain sweeteners can be IBS triggers, as can caffeine or alcohol. Fructose in fruit juice can do it for some people.

It sounds similar to my IBS symptoms, although mine are more frequent.

Given you are feeling anxious about it, I think trying to see someone would be a good idea.

I think the message is that if your bowel habits change for three weeks get checked. You would be taken seriously and checked out.

No link to menstrual cycle. Does seem to be if I eat high fibre foods, but not always.

yes I thought that but wasn’t sure if this was changing for more than three weeks, as it was one day of diarrhoea then a complete return to normal for a month or so (sometimes up to 2 months).

Dh had a similar pattern, and in the end was diagnosed with gluten intolerance in his 50s. Gp said you can develop an intolerance at any age so might be good to keep a food diary.

i also read 3 weeks worth of change
can you keep a food diary?

Do you gave any pain or unexplained weightloss?

It couldn't do any harm to have a Dr check you over

Two things, my undiagnosed coeliac disease only gave me severe diarrhoea like this occasionally, not every day, it got to be weekly by the time I was diagnosed

It also sounds a bit like dumping syndrome, have a Google, but ultimately you need to get it checked out, any changes like this should be investigated (best friend died from bowel cancer and ignored symptoms for ages)

5 instances of diarrhea in 6 months for someone with "sensitive bowels" is not excessive or a change in habit.

It's always worth asking your GP.

Connected to fatty food at all? My gallbladder issues (stones) started like that.

As someone who started having a change back in n

Try again!
A change back in November and recently referred under the 2 week wait then yes you need to see your GP. You need bloods taking and a FIT test to check for blood in your poo.
How old are you and do you have any other symptoms?

Thanks all.

I’ve got no other symptoms. Iron checked recently and was fine. No pain (only when having diarrhoea and instantly relieved by it) no blood or weight loss either.

It's likely ibs, but it would be a good idea to get checked out.

Yes have made a GP appointment anyway. Just didn’t want to waste time!

If anyone comes across - it was a very mild form of IBS causing all my issues. Lots of tests later to rule out anything serious and it turns out that whole meals and grains were the source of my issues. Updating as I often scrolled these previous posts trying to find my own answers!

Thank you for updating. I find grains and seeds irritate my IBS symptoms too. It felt very counterintuitive when I finally worked it out. I do notice a difference when I watch what I eat.

It is. I kept eating them as I thought more fibre = better gut health!

Cut them out and no issues since.

So good to know you feel better now and thanks for updating. I’m looking to cut back or even down on my grain consumption as my IBS has been really bad this year, can I ask what you eat now?