Not the nicest topic but need advice none-the-less, It's poo related, if you don't like, dont look :) Options

[ingleberry]

Hi all,

Been a while since I posted, however I have been stalking you all

Basically, I've been having stomach problems which range from bloatedness, to constipation, to diarrhea (not proper diarrhea, just not normal poo).

Been to the docs, she said its stress related, gave me some acid blockers and sent me on my way.

Although the bloating has stopped, i've still got a dodgy stomach, haven't had a solid poo for over a week and had 6 poos over the last 2 days.

I've also been getting headaches (around 1 a day which lasts quite a while). Also, I'll get stomach cramps before goin to the toilet, which is causing me to feel a bit sick (not drastically, just feel a bit nauseous).

I know none of you are doctors but wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar. I've tried altering food intake, I've cut out bread, fruit, pasta etc. I've tried introducing fibre into my diet among other things. Nothing has made a difference.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Ingleshits

[YORKSHIRE GUY]

My Jonny might be able to advise.
He's practically a doctor.

[fangtastic]

Bran flakes, semi-skimmed milk and raisins, large bowl, twice a day. For lunch have fresh vegetables, steamed, with grilled chicken.

Repeat until stools are solid.

[sexyy1010]

It could be IBS, I suffered horribly from it as a child and my diet was drastically changed.
I see similiar symptons.
Thankfully I grew out of it.

Once I didn't poo for over 2 weeks, I was rushed to hospital and the doctor injected muscle relaxatants for my bowels into my bum and I blocked THREE of their toilets.

[octavian]

It may be something quite transitory, but it does sound a bit like some kind of IBS. There's a chance - no more than that - that it could also be the start of something more severe... for example, colitis or crohns disease. If it persists, go back to your GP and ask to be referred to a gastro-enterologist. Then you'll have a few tests and get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

[ingleberry]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've had IBS said to me a few times, it could well be that. But that's incurable. A life like this does not seem appealing to me what so ever!

I'm going to change my diet (bought some bran glakes the other day, i'll be trying that) and see if that alters it. If not, I'm going back to the doctors next Tuesday. Although it's quite drastic, a lady I used to work with died from Bowel cancer 2 years ago, which went undiagnosed and thought to be IBS. I don't fancy the same fate so shall be on the NHS like a dog with a bone until it's sorted.

Thank you kind people x

[imb39]

Hi there, I have a very similar problem - diarrhoea. Dare I say it, I only produce solids very occasionally if left alone. Generic loperamide hydrochloride (diarrhoea relief capsules) from supermarkets work really well. I tend to only take them occasionally as I have gotten used to it now. When I take them, just 2 every other day seems to work effectively for me.

It is almost certainly stress related where I'm concerned but there's also a strong possibility it might be diet related (an intolerance) but I like what I eat!

[chabang]

.... stop messing around with your diet so much. Almost any bowel related problem will be made worse by constantly dramatically changing your diet and cutting/boosting food groups suddenly. Your digestive system is based on finely balanced chemical reactions so messing around with the "ingredients" means things won't be digested properly (causing some the symptoms you mention) until the reaction has balanced itself again. You should try/cut a food group for 3-4 weeks at least to properly gauge the response.

[sexyy1010]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've had IBS said to me a few times, it could well be that. But that's incurable. A life like this does not seem appealing to me what so ever!

I'm going to change my diet (bought some bran glakes the other day, i'll be trying that) and see if that alters it. If not, I'm going back to the doctors next Tuesday. Although it's quite drastic, a lady I used to work with died from Bowel cancer 2 years ago, which went undiagnosed and thought to be IBS. I don't fancy the same fate so shall be on the NHS like a dog with a bone until it's sorted.

Thank you kind people x

IBS may be incurable it can not be a problem.

I have a friend who is on a strict diet because any change any drastically become a problem for her. However I've never problems for about 10 years now, I pretty much eat what I want. Occassionally I can go a few days maybe 4 where I don't use the toilet, but thats extremely rare now and it isn't a disruption to my life.

[Jonnycondom]

My Jonny might be able to advise.
He's practically a doctor.

:/

I started my own poo related thread recently so I doubt it

[ic1male]

There is conflicting evidence on the role of fibre with IBS. It seems the best type is soluble fibre.

Dietary sources of soluble fibre include oats, ispaghula (psyllium), nuts and seeds, some fruit and vegetables and pectins. A fibre supplement called ispaghula powder is also available from pharmacies and health food shops.

Insoluble fibre is chiefly found in corn (maize) bran, wheat bran and some fruit and vegetables. In particular, avoid bran as a fibre supplement.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome.htm

[Scotty_1978]

Your not on your own m8, its a very diffcult time to get through and I wouldnt wish it on my own enemy.

Amazing how toilet movements can effect your Quality of life-but it doesnt have to be like this all the time

[downunder]

You may want to look into whether you have fructose issues; it is a sugar found in many fruits, some veggies, onion, garlic and as a sweetner(corn syrup)-it is not uncommon and can take a while for the penny to drop.
A breath test usually confirms the diagnosis

[stretchmonkey]

As someone mentioned already, it may be a transitory thing, maybe a bug you've picked up. I got a bug a few months back, (after putting my mouth somewhere where it shouldn't have really been put) that upset my stomach and also made me burp a lot and made me go off my food. Eventually my body dealt with it.
Till the next time i put my mouth where i oughtn't!

[Struan]

Are these complaints ever related to long term bumming or just a condition you all happen to have?

[scott1723]

Have you tried going gluten free for a week?

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Coeliac-disea...s/Symptoms.aspx

Have you tried going gluten free for a week?

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Coeliac-disea...s/Symptoms.aspx

or...

Conditions that can cause persistent diarrhoea include:

irritable bowel syndrome – a poorly understood condition where the normal functions of the bowel are disrupted
coeliac disease – a digestive condition where you are intolerant to the protein gluten
Crohn's disease – a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system
cystic fibrosis – an inherited condition that affects the lungs and digestive system
diabetes – a condition caused by too much glucose in the blood
diverticular disease – when small pouches (diverticula) form in the large intestine, causing symptoms such as diarrhoea
gastrectomy – a surgical procedure to remove part of the stomach, for example, to treat stomach cancer
lactose intolerance – lactose is a natural sugar that is found in milk
microscopic colitis – a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes watery diarrhoea
chronic pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ that produces hormones and digestive juices
ulcerative colitis – a condition that affects the colon (large intestine)
bowel cancer – cancer in the bowel can cause diarrhoea and blood in your stools

[AndyJ]

I spent a couple hundred on a food intolerance test when I was about 18. It completely changed my life. I used to either get bloated or get the shits pretty much every day. (Never had headaches though) Some foods I already knew about before the test and avoided but it came up a few ones I was surprised about.

People have said they are rubbish and inaccurate (especially doctors) but as I said it changed my life, for the better. When I stick to it, I feel amazing and have lovely poo's! Try it.

[yellowcork]

I think I gave this advice to Jonny in his thread but get yourself some Fybogel. You take it once or twice a day after you've eaten - it kind of binds up your faeces and stops the diarrhea and the constipation. It is essentially fibre but it works more effectively in the immediate term than changing your diet - you should consider that also, obviously. If you do take it, you may feel a bit bloated for the first few days but stick with it and you'll see results.

If it is IBS, stress can be a big issue (I find that the Fybogel helps with that because it gives me the confidence to know that I am not going to suddenly need the toilet in sticky situations) but you should also look at the kind of foods that bring on an attack.

Crohn's is quite serious and you would probably be getting significant cramping pain with that. If it's coeliac disease there's a blood test for it.

In any case, it is better to do something about it than to suffer on - that can end up causing you more damage.

[devynethang]

Aw, poor Gaz. I haven't any idea what to tell you but I'll offer and sympathy.

[diaz1980]

Smoke some trees.