Hi, As a backstory... I'm a 31 year old male who has had various stomach issues for the past 3 years now, though initially it would come in bouts and then go away and be fine. However, for a year now I've had unusual stomach pains (right side under rib, and sometimes in the lower left flank). My bowel habits have changed a lot, and I need to use the bathroom at least once a day now (never before). There isn't usually diarrhea, it's just a much more frequent need to use the bathroom. I've been diagnosed with IBS, however I haven't had a colonoscopy yet. I've gone to several doctors, and had an endoscopy done. The endoscopy showed chronic gastritis along with a hiatal hernia, I've been on Trustan and Ulsanic for 3 months now since the endoscopy, but not much change overall. Which brings me to now... There have been 3 occasions in the past month where I have passed a very unusual and scary piece of matter. Each time it has had to be pulled out, however it tends to measure about 10cm long and doesn't seem to be fecal matter, as it's extremely tough and if you pull either end, it is tough to snap. It seems too taught and tough to be mucus. This is super scary, but I don't have the finances to get a CT scan done as the doctor recommended. Both doctors I've seen have had no idea what it is that I'm passing, though one doctor suggested it is possibly intestinal lining, and is supposedly seen sometimes in IBD. A search on the internet showed "Rope Worm" being the closest analog for what it looks like, however, Rope Worm doesn't seem to be a real thing, and is supposedly caused by enemas loosening the bowel lining. I haven't had any enemas, where as with all other cases where I find rope worm mentioned online, there seems to be an enema relation. Other symptoms may just be related to my gastritis, but I get slight nausea occasionally. But it's mostly stomach discomfort (3/10) pain wise. I'm mostly just looking to hear from anyone who has any clues, or someone who has had the same experience. I do have pictures of said matter, if they will assist. Thanks for any insight.
You don’t need a colonoscopy to diagnose IBS. I was diagnosed with IBS without a colonoscopy. However, a colonoscopy may help to identify the substance you are passing.