Does this sound like IBS or something else like IBD?

[ibsornott]

I'm in my late 20s, no other health issues. Around once a week I will get an upset stomach, it's always in the early evening (5pm-7pm). I have stomach cramps in the middle of my stomach, around my belly button area. Then I will have a BM and it's like everything in my empty out so it starts as a normal BM and ends up watery diarrhoea. The stomach cramps are intense and I often end up dripping in sweat and sometimes fainting. Afterwards I feel exhausted and weak.

Last year I had two of these episodes but I also had blood in my stool, and calprotectin that was 1000+. I had a colonoscopy and biopsies taken and there was no evidence of inflammation or piles or anything and so the gastroenterologist discharged me saying it was most likely gastroenteritis. I've not had any blood in my stool since.

I'm wondering if this could just be IBS? If I didn't know any better I'd think I had a stomach bug or food poisoning, but the frequency of it happening makes that improbable. Could it be something in my small intestine that the colonoscopy wouldn't have picked up? I have had a blood test for coeliac but it was negative.

Just bumping to see if anyone has any advice. thank you

Hey,
I have ulcerative colitis and it doesn’t sound like IBD to me if it’s once a week. I was sometimes using the loo more than 10 times a day.
It does sound more like IBS or a food intolerance. But I’m not a doctor, so definitely keep pushing with your GP for help. And keep a food diary to try and work out what triggers it.
hopefully you get some answers soon x

Also meant to say, my colonoscopy showed ulcers throughout my large intestine. So if they have you a clear result it’s unlikely that it’s just in your small intestine.

I used to get random diarrhoea after eating for years, not regularly and didn’t think much of it. After my second child was born had blood, a little a first then a lot took 9 months to get a referral for a colonoscopy and it was ulcerative colitis.
I assume it was the precursor to ulcerative colitis all that diarrhoea

I have ulcerative colitis and would say it's not likely that's as it gets progressively worse without treatment.

If your symptoms are continuing I'd go back to the GP.

Hope you feel better soon.

It sounds more like a fairly common food might disagree with you and last year was a bug. Something like mushrooms, that you wouldn't eat daily.

Keep a food diary to look for trends. You'll be doing this if you're referred anyway, so will really help at any appointments.

I've been keeping a food diary but I've not noted anything consistent in what I'm eating. I eat quite a repetitive diet, and tend to have the same meals again and again. The last few times I've had pasta, but then I've had pasta on other days with no issues.

I had another episode today, intense stomach cramps around my belly button area, my ears start ringing, sweat, weakness. I'm not sure if it's just IBS?

I have IBS and I have episodes exactly like this.

In my case they are triggered by caffeine of lactose, or sometimes stress.

I have IBS and have had episodes just like that. Almost fainted so many times. It’s horrible. Waves of pain and so sweaty and boiling then freezing. And awful diarrhoea

I used to get it so badly in my early 20s. Am in my late 30s now and hardly ever have it so hopefully it’s the same for you. Mine was definitely triggered by stress and processed foods like microwave pasta