I am new here, and there's so much info to sort through, I wanted to start by asking if my as-of-now undiagnosed symptoms sound like IBS or IBD. I am 35 year old female and for the last 10 years or so I have had what I called a "nervous stomach" reactive to stress, rich foods, too much wine, etc., would often cause one bout of diarrhea, and then I would be fine. About 5 weeks ago, I had a sudden onset of diarrhea the morning after too much food and wine. Didn't think much of it, but it didn't stop this time. Then lots of mucous (which I have experienced sporadically before). Then small amount blood and mucous (also experienced before). For the next few days this continued, mostly mucous and loose stool. . Went to doctor who suspected an infection, took cipro and flagyl for 10 days. After about 4 days on the antibiotics, I got very weak and shaky, had a low grade fever(100)(saltines, ginger ale and gatorade was all I was ingesting at the time). The stomach gurgling was ridiculous. However, I had no pain whatsoever. Doctor thought blood was from the initial frequent stooling. Feeling terribly weak and shaky during the antibiotics, I went to ER for some help. Blood work normal, aside from dehydration. At that point I was only passing mucous for the stool sample, which showed nothing but a few white blood cells - doctors weren't alarmed. I received 2 bags of IV fluid and felt a bit better. A couple days later, a very slight pain in my right side, like a stitch in my side. Primary doc ordered CT and sonogram - both of which showed nothing but lots of stool hanging out and a little sludge in the gall bladder - no stones though. The contrast I drank took care of the constipation after the CT was finished though! I have an appt. with GI this week (been waiting 4 weeks), and I feel better than I did when this all started, stool is more formed, but still not my "norm" no blood, some mucous, mostly just frequent small amount of stool. Trying to increase my food intake as I have lost 12 pounds. I sort of acquired a fear of food during all of this, so I understand the weight loss. The only symptoms still remaining and troubling are the gurgling after every meal and at night and the irregular BMs, which are now a different color than they used to be - more light brown-orange (maybe because I am not eating veggies or other foods I used to?).
My internist, primary doc, said she thinks it could be IBS or colitis, but we're obviously waiting for further testing with GI. My anxiety level is very high and I'm overly analyzing this and that doesn't help, but it's so disconcerting. I am eating a fairly bland diet, but am trying to add more and more as being hungry made me feel worse. I just added Metamucil fiber capsules and Activa yogurt, hoping that will help.
Sorry for being so long-winded, just wanted to be as detailed as possible. When I read up on IBS or IBD, I seem to have a little of both - the primary thing I don't have is pain, which I understand is most common for IBS, correct?
Thanks for your input!
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