Almost 4 weeks of diarrhoea and bloating - anxiety levels have crippled me

Digestive health
1

I've never had bowel problems before in my life until 3 and a bit weeks ago I woke up with painful trapped worn that took all day to pass.

i thought that was the end of it but every day since I've had morning and sometimes evening bloating/flatulence and usually soft stools, sometimes very soft.

I do get some minor abdominal discomfort/pinchy pains, just lasting a few seconds here and there.

I had blood work done which was all normal but my health anxiety levels are the worst they have ever been in my life. The last 3 days I have been basically catatonic just lying in bed 100% convinced that I have Crohn's disease.

My doctor thinks it's possibly IBS but I've asked for a special stool test for inflammation.

Does my story sound like any of yours?

2

Ask to be tested for gluten intolerance as you can develop this at any time and could cause symptoms you describe.

Ibs is often worse in mornings. Does food make symptoms worse?

I have had similar bowel issues - bad pain. Constipation, diarrhoea ? Cause. Never had problems prior to about a year ago.

Now if I feel pain coming on I take a peppermint oil capsule with lots of water half an hour before food and it seems to be helping.

Try to calm your anxiety as this will exacerbate your symptoms.

Hope you feel better soon ☺️

3

My celiac screen was negative, along with FBC, CRP, ESR, thyroid and liver function. I know that most cases of Crohns would have raised inflammatory markers but I'm still petrified because I know sometimes they aren't so I have asked for calprotectin. Just sent it off today.

I guess the bloating etc does usually start a few hours after food. Sometimes the discomfort is relieved by passing a motion. But I get niggly cramps and bloating sometimes through the day at random times.

I just find it so hard to believe that IBS can start so suddenly and can cause me these symptoms every day?

I am losing weight too although I have been eating very badly due to the intense anxiety.

4

My celiac was negative, along with FBC, CRP, ESR, LFTs and thyroid.

I would be reassured but I have heard that people with Crohns sometimes have normal bloods so I am really just waiting for this stool test (calprotectin) until then I don't want to get my hopes up.

The symptoms do usually start a few hours after eating but not always, sometimes they happen randomly.

I just find it so hard to believe that IBS can start so suddenly and cause these symptoms literally every day since!

5

first of all, stop being so melodramatic. a few weeks of some stomch cramps does not mean you have a serious autoimmune condition like crohns.

ibs can start out of the blue, and if it is then you have a mild case as you say you have very little pain and a bit of bloating.

try drinking peppermint tea to help with bloating and avoid cabbage, brocoli, caulifolwer, beans and nuts as they all make bloating worse.

and get out of bed! lying around all day wont help anyone

6

Hi i know its been a year. But how u feeling now? Any updates?