Okay so I’m having an anxiety attack right now because my mind automatically things I have stomach cancer. My dad, my older sister and my dads mom all really rough stomachs. My dad was diagnosed with IBS when he was a teenager. So that runs in the family. My symptoms are: bloating, acid reflux, feeling full easily, having to use the bathroom right after eating sometimes, fatigue, gas, and my stools are interesting. Everybody says with ibs you have diarrhea or constipation. My stools are consistently the same, they’re in the shape of normal stools but they look like they’re not so structurally together. And when I flush the toilet they sorta mix in with the water. It’s not diarrhea because it’s not just liquid and they hold a shape. Does anybody else have this? It’s been this way for a year or two.
Do you have shifting abdominal pain? Changes in stools may be indicate IBS along with your other symptoms. See your doctor since your symptoms have gone on for over a year.
Normal stools should be formed and of an almost fluffy appearance, they should usually float as well. The telling factor of something more serious going on is colour. Are they what you consider to be a normal brown colour? If so then that is good. If they are very dark and tarry, and smellier than normal, then that's not so good, stools like that indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding and medical advice should be sought as soon as possible. Also if you notice red blood then this is another symptom that needs urgent attention. If the red blood is on the stool then it is likely to be haemorrhoids or a fissure, if mixed in with the stool could indicate something more severe.
Either way you do need to get some medical advice due to your prolonged symptoms as Pippa said. Stool test looking for blood would be the first thing I would request to be done. I had mine tested for blood and when they came back clear my doctor said that I don't have cancer.
All the best for the future and take care.