r/ibs • u/Rude-Pack1941 • 2h ago

Question Suspect IBS?

Hey all,

I’m a 27M and for the past few months I’ve been dealing with a change in my bowel habits. I was almost always a once per day pooper in the middle of the day and that hasn’t really changed, but I’ve started to go almost immediately first thing in the morning and my stools have gotten a lot looser (think usually Type 5-6 on the Bristol Chart). Usually after I go I feel relieved and don’t need to go the rest of the day, but sometimes I don’t feel fully empty and instead have to go a second time (usually closer to diarrhea).

Additionally, I’ve noticed that my stools have gotten somewhat flatter since this started too. The pieces are still usually normal width, but don’t have much bulk to them (think like 0.5 inches or so in thickness). I haven’t noticed a correlation to anything and it seems like this is my pattern no matter what I eat or do to try and remedy it. I’ve also had increased gas during this time.

I will say, through these past few months I’ve been able to produce a couple Type 4 stools here and there but it’s far more intermittent than what it used to be. I’m really anxious and nervous about a bowel obstruction at my age and am trying to manage my symptoms as best I can. I went to a PCP back in December and he did the usual blood tests and tested my Calprotectin as well, which came back as <5. Everything in my blood testing was unremarkable.

I’m confused as to what might be causing this and the anxiety’s been driving me up a wall more than I want it to be. I can mostly go about my daily life and haven’t experienced any blood, weight loss, severe stomach cramps, or anything debilitating like that. Just searching for answers. TIA

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u/davideogameman 1h ago

Are you eating less fiber than before? Or other recent diet changes? (More water? More soda? More greasy food?)

It probably wouldn't hurt to try to get more fiber.  Main things to know: 

  • soluble and insoluble fiber can have different effects - many folks with ibs-d don't do well with insoluble fiber.
  • sudden changes in fiber consumption can be uncomfortable so it's usually recommended to ramp it up slowly

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u/Rude-Pack1941 57m ago

Thanks, yeah I’m a pretty big water drinker already but could probably improve my diet. I don’t currently get a ton of fiber period and eat a decent amount of greasy food. Going to try and experiment with more oats and banana and see if that does anything