I am 15, could i have IBS?

Question

Background check: 15, female, suffers from light cramping (not anywhere close to menses), diarrhea in the morning, and i feel like i have to go again shortly after but don't, and i recently have started passing gas alot more and the odor is sometimes horriffic (is has never been like this before).

Since I'm only 15 I am ashamed to bring it up to my mom and expecially my doctor, so before i make some major move, can someone who has experienced it before give me a possible affermative, or an alternative.

Please help me.

Answer 1

First off, don't be ashamed to talk about this with your mom or your doctor.....helping you out with problems is what they are there for! And they won't think there is anything horrifying about what you're experiencing.

Next, you don't say anything about what you eat, but your diet could have a huge impact on this. Are you eating late at night before bed? Do you eat a lot of chocolate or dairy products? Chocolate is a potent laxative. Do you eat big meals? etc. Before you jump to the conclusion that you have a "syndrome," maybe all you need to do is adjust your eating habits a bit.

There are food allergies and food sensitivities that could cause these symptoms, too. Some people are lactose intolerant (this means they can't digest dairy products). If you're lactose intolerant, drinking milk could cause the diarrhea. They have special milk (Lactaid) that has an enzyme for people who are lactose intolerant. Or maybe you're sensitive to certain other foods you're eating, or have an allergy to something in what you eat. All of this could cause your symptoms, and once the foods are changed, the symptoms would go away.

There are intestinal infections that could also cause this, and some of them last for quite a while, causing symptoms on and off. The doctor can test for these and give you an antibiotic to knock it out if that's what you have.

Next, at 15 your hormones are in a state of flux. Even though this isn't happening near your menses, it could still be involved. Hormones play a powerful role in regulating the movement of food through your stomach and intestines, and depending on what part of your cycle you are in, this could be playing a role. If you have a hormone imbalance of some sort, this could make the symptoms worse.

Finally, STRESS is sometimes a major contributor to digestive problems. The digestive system has nerves that respond to emotional stimulation in much the same way that the brain does. So if you're stressed-out, worried, or anxious (even about this!), your bowels may be expressing the stress in this way.

Basically the bottom line is that there are a lot of variables that could be playing a role, and the best way to get to the bottom of it is to get to the doctor and undergo some simple tests. They may put you on a fiber supplement like Metamucil to give you firmer stools and more regularity. They can also find out whether you are sensitive to milk or other food ingredients.

Don't be ashamed! You have every right to get all the information you need to understand your body and help you feel better. Tell your mom you need to get to the doctor about this, or call yourself. You'll feel so much better after you've talked to them about it!

Good luck!!

Answer 2

OMG. I was JUST going to post the same thing! I only get diarrhea in the morning, and it feels like I want to go again but I don't. I've been feeling like this for 3 weeks now and my mom made an appointment with the doctor. The only thing I can say is to drink plenty of fluids like water because diarrhea can cause dehydration. You should tell your mom to buy you this medicine that helps with the diarrhea. It didn't work for me but it might for you since I have other sicknesses going on as well. Good luck!

Answer 3

while IBS is possible at your age or even crohn's don't panic yet, common symptoms for IBS spastic colon, include moderate to severe cramping, bloating and bouts of constipation and diarrhea and is probably triggered by stress now with that out of the way, try boiled rice may be sweeten to stop diarrhea, lay off the meats and eat only vegetables and fruit slow down on dairy and include yogurt as part of your diet everyday try this for several days if no relief then it's time to visit a gastroenterologist, best wishes!

Answer 4

Imodium A.D is what I give my daughters, who are in your age group. Give it a try, but always remember to follow the dosage chart. For adults and children over 12 years old, it's two (2) caplets after you first loose stool, BUT NO MORE THAN FOUR (4) caplets in 24 hours. That should help you with most of your symptoms. Good Luck.
To the Nurse; stop scaring kids!!

Answer 5

Sorry, but that doesn't sound good, and I think you'll have to bring it up to a family member and doctor. You can go to the doctor alone perhaps if you don't want your mother to know? But it's nothing to be embarrassed about, and dealing with it could make your life easier. Good luck.

(You cold try and control it by diet, going off wheat and/or dairy for some time, worked for some people I knew.)

Answer 6

I started symptoms of ibs at eight years of age, it can happen to anyone. I can't imagine why you would be embarrassed by something over which you have no control. But the doctor has to run several diagnostic tests to make the diagnosis and prescribe proper treatment, I suggest you have mom get you to a doctor so you can get started.

Answer 7

well it depends on how long this has been going on u can have it at any age i am 16 and my doc is testing me for it my gramma has it and gose to the bathroom like 3-4 times a day and that is why i would talk to your doc about it

Answer 8

All I have to say is make an appointment with your doctor. I had IBS symptoms and they did some x-rays and it turned out it was a duodenal ulcer.

Answer 9

yes thats really sounds like what you got because thats the same symptoms that i have..