Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Know It's Been Awhile, But Need Some Advice... (TMI, maybe)

... and couldn't think of any place better to ask!
I have been away for a while and am having some real trouble with my stomach that I am not sure what to do about.
In the last 6 months, my stomach has been a big roller coaster and my life has been really stressful. Without going into all the details, it got to be too much for me and my touchy tummy to handle and I ended up taking a leave from work. Now I have been off since July and have been getting a lot of pressure to go back, so I am supposed to return this coming Sunday.
A week ago, we got back from a 7 day trip to Mexico. While I was there, I was pretty sick nearly every day. When we got home, I was terribly ill for about two days but then it seemed to pass.
Also since back, my boyfriend and I had a conversation about my weight gain over the last year that was really upsetting and my mom then called me two days ago to also tell me she thinks I am terribly overweight. I have gained about 20 lbs since my profile pic.

So, that brings us to now....
For the past 48 hours, I have been more sick than I have been in at least a year. The pains and cramps in my upper and lower abdomen are so intense that I can't breathe. If I even drink water, I am running to the bathroom and having pure liquid D. It's worse than when I did the colonoscopy prep. I haven't eaten anything and spent today taking it easy, sipping on water with a bit of sugar and salt and luke warm peppermint tea.
The cramps seemed to be fading, but then suddenly about an hour and a half ago it started again and I've been to the bathroom six times!!
My question is... what is this? IBS and I should wait it out? A reaction to the stress of going back to work and the tension with my mom and boyfriend? I keep wanting to doubt it because even when I get D attacks, it's not like this..
Is it something I brought home from Mexico? I thought so, but then when it cleared up and I had normal BMs and ate normally for a few days, I can't figure out why it would suddenly return and so much worse.
I don't know what to do. I would normally try to get in and see a doctor, but the D is so bad that I can't make it to the clinic or chance having to wait for a toilet because I literally have to run to the bathroom.
Then there is the question of work. Do I try to go back still and take a chance? Do I stay off longer until I have been stable for at least a few weeks? I am so worried about going back and then having to take more sick time. Oy.

Any advice is very much appreciated!!!
PS - Does anyone else find it really hard to differentiate between IBS and when something else may be going on, tummy wise? I find it really, really frustrating!

Steph

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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.

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