Just searching for some answers...

[PrincessAprilB]

A little bit about myself. I am a 29 year old white female with a history of stomach issues. I had a colonoscopy done when I was 19 years old. The doctor diagnosed me with irritable bowel. Over the years, the diarrhea has become increasingly worse, with alternating patterns of diarrhea and normal bowel movements. Over the past year or so, it's become much worse I have noticed. Lately I have noticed a lot of dark, ribbon like stools. They usually float (not sure if that means much). They are usually quite thin, maybe the width of a pencil, with lengths varying from small to medium. Many times they are dark but sometimes they are not. I have had several occasions of abdominal pain. Tonight I had some so bad it had me concerned. It was quite sharp and seemed focused on my midsection. When I went to the bathroom, I had more sharp pains, followed by small passes of the ribbon-like stools. This alternated about 5 times before finally my stomach settled. I usually go at LEAST 4 times a day, no matter what I eat or drink, or when I eat or drink. No noticed extreme weight loss, but usually yo-yo's no more than 10 pounds. Fatigued on a daily basis with insomnia at night. Occasional nausea, but no vomiting. No medications regularly except albuterol for my asthma as needed. Occasional drinker. No known family hx of stomach/colon cancer or polyps. Gallbladder/kidney stones tend to run in my family though. Had concerns of a thyroid disorder due to having most of the symptoms, but blood results were negative. I've been concerned for a while now that things seem to be increasing, but due to lack of insurance (and only one income family with 3 kids), I'm trying to avoid unneeded medical costs. What I am curious about is any opinions or thoughts as to anything I can do to help or should I be seen?

[hava]

The yog pranayam I have mentioned in other answers will help you naturally to build up the immune system.

[PrincessAprilB]

I never thought about it being my gallbladder. I know my father had issues with his and some stones. Another thing I have noticed (and I hope I'm not giving TMI) is that the past couple days, I have had a quite uncomfortable feeling when I go to the bathroom. Lower in the bowel, towards my back. Not sharp pain or anything, just quite uncomfortable and almost like I'm being weighed down by a 5 pound weight in that area. I also felt discomfort in the same area during sex. It's a feeling like I've never felt before. Doesn't burn like hemorrhoids or anything. Almost like there's just something there. Not sure how else to explain it. I noticed I felt the uncomfortableness as well when I urinated earlier today. I'll definitely do some research on my gallbladder. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

[MzFlavor]

  I'm not a medical doctor but I have had a long history of Chronz Disease with irritable bowel.  Last year I developed symptoms similar to what you describe especially the thin stool that float with lots of abdominal pains.  I thought it was a flare from the Chronz, but found out it was my gall bladder. I knew that I had some small stones, but never any major problems with them.  I had three colic episodes over the course of several years.  It wasn't until I went to the emergency room twice in two years that I knew it was more than Chronz.  It took two doctors visits before they diagnosed it. They sent me to a surgeon and I wanted antibiotics because I thought I could change my diet and resolve the symptoms.  Needless to say a few months later I had the surgery.  It’s not normal to have stool like that and I suggest you get seen as soon as you can.  If it's the gall bladder it can create a lot of problems if left untreated.  If it's something else then you really should find out. If something different is going on in your body then something is wrong and you should be seen.  Don't be afraid to tell the doctor what you think and feel it may be because doctors don't know everything and they definately don't know your body.