Diarrhea on/off for 6 weeks

[Derri11]

Hoping someone can put my mind at ease :( I’ve always suffered from IBS but only in the form of lower abdomen cramps/pains. 7 weeks ago my dad was diagnosed with cancer and my daughter had alot of tests coming up I was scared of. I was ill with stress and severe anxiety. I wasn’t eating for 3-4 days at all. But since eating again on the first week I got diarrhea on the evenings for a week or so. Then it eased away and came back once a week later. Then again 2 weeks later, which I decided I’d go to the doctors. She put me in a mild anti anxiety and said she believes stress may have worsened ibs. And that she doesn’t think it’s anything sinister. It’s been two weeks since this appointment and today the diarrhea is back :( I didn’t take the anti anxiety pills as I feel it’s reduced a lot anyhow. I made the error of looking on google so ofc it’s scared me, theres no blood or anything. Has anyone else had these things?

Hi.
Sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he gets the best help and support from the family and the medical professionals, as well as the best treatments.

I have had troublesome diarrhoea on and off for a month. It was a cause for concern. I tried the BRAT diet, but unfortunately, it didn’t work. This happened after a bout of illness. I'm not sure if it was COVID or a virus. I never got tested, went to see my doctors and saw at least three since I don’t have my own GP. I did a FIT test, and thankfully, it came back negative. Our bodies do take time to adjust and heal. I think it stopped after a month. Also, I’m in perimenopause, so my hormones are messing me around too

Certain foods can trigger an upset stomach. As we get older, our stomachs can become more sensitive to food. You could ask your doctor for a FIT test for reassurance.

Family problems can affect our well-being. I read that stress, anxiety, and certain medications can cause diarrhoea.

Take care x

Could be small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Yours too @LostHorizon1, a gastroenterologist told me recently he's seeing a lot of it seemingly triggered by covid.

@Flibbertyfloo Thanks.
I wish I had asked my doctor about SIBO and gotten tested. She had no idea what caused my diarrhoea, and I also had unintentional weight loss around that time.

Yes I have had this, although mine was most mornings for longer than 6 weeks if I remember correctly, and like you I had times when I thought it had stopped but it came back. I was so worried but it did eventually just go away. I think mine must have been anxiety related (I had a period of terrible health anxiety that started with various symptoms and kept going with new and very real symptoms, so it was a bit of a vicious cycle). 3 and a bit years later I’m in a much better place mentally (and physically!).
I did have a fit test at the time (and they checked for infection etc) so do ask your GP if that might be helpful in ruling out anything more serious.

I suffer terribly with ibs, and yes stress can trigger a recurring spell. Certain foods trigger mine as well, pork and beef are a big no no along with onions and to much dairy I can’t eat any of those ever. Other things along with stress can set me off and it can be 3 or 4 months before I get remotely back to normal

try taking your anxiety pills again, and keep a food diary along with a record of when you flare and how bad.

You could be lactose intolerant