Diarrhea Question
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| Mon, 08-21-2006 - 8:59pm |
Sorry if this question is confusing, but here goes:
So at the end of July I had two episodes of diarrhea, and I took Imodium, which stopped the diarrhea.
A week or so later, I have very loose bowels and again took Imodium.
Ever since then I've had normal bowels.
But now, for the past week or so I've had stomachaches in the morning (but normal bowels) and just today after dinner I had a strange bowel -- one bowel came out normally but the rest sort of came out very fast but it wasn't loose or watery..just small pieces coming out quickly. Would this be considered diarrhea? Or is diarrhea usually loose and almost makes a "pile"...and always watery?
I'm thinking maybe the Imodium had something to do with it..or do you think it could even be IBS? I'm scared that I have IBS..please help.

Glad you found us, but sorry for the reason!
IBS can be managed, so it honestly isn't 'the end of the world'. Here are a couple of articles that have some great information. Like anything else, if these symptoms are causing you major distress and life style issues, you need to see your doctor.
I can only speak for myself, but every bowel movement isn't exactly the same and I figure that it all gets out eventually.
Please let us know if you have more questions after reading this info and feel free to jump in and add comments and helpful ideas that have worked for you.
http://www.aboutibs.org/
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/
CL of

<Hi!
Your question isn't confusing at all! I have IBS (a mild case) and my bowel pattern sounds sometimes like what you've had recently. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have IBS too. Have you had alot of stress lately or are you taking a new medication? Those can be problematic for your digestive system.
Imodium helps calm my system but it does slow things down for several days after I take it. Which when you have diarrhea is a good thing but it takes a few days for my system to get back to "normal".
I also have more trouble around me period, just an FYI. You may just being going through an "off" time and it may be nothing at all. Some of the articles the pp posted will help too :)