IBS or is it?

[Royboy288]

Hello,
I have been having bowel movement problems for about 12 months now. It started when I felt pressure below my abdoman. I also started to urinate very often. I went to the doctors and they did a rectal check on me and said I had an enlarged prostate. I went and had all the PSA test and all the other blood tests because I had become paranoide. I have had the Cystoscopy and they said yes I have an enlarged prostate and a high neck in my bladder. After all the antibiotics and muscle relaxants I still felt this pressure below my abdoman. I have just been back to the doctors because my stools are different from day to day. I pass a stool in the morning and then within about an hour I feel like I want to go again but this time its looser. ( Thin and wormy type) The doctor said it sounds like IBS. He physically checked my front and sides and said there was no sign of any tenderness or bumps.He said just watch what I'm eating. I was also getting discomfort from my lower abdoman and underneath it. Over the last couple of days I have noticed that my stool is of light brown with black specs in it. These are the size of say chopped parsley fine !!!  lol  You can't see them too much at a glance but when I wipe you can see them on the paper. I have not told the doctor this as it has only just become noticeable. The doctor has given me three tubes for a FOB test but he says he doesn't think it's anything. I have also noticed for a while that I feel as though I have got a cold coming on and keep tasting catar but the cold never really comes out.
Could someone please elaborate on what might be happening to me and am I just being over paranoide.

Regards,

[Royboy288]

Hi Kevin,
I did the FOB Test and it has come back negative. This was such a releif. I'm now going to get a Food Intolerance Kit as I think this is my problem now.
Thanks for your help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

IBS is certainly possible, but I would evaluate for more serious conditions first.

Inflammatory bowel disease, anatomic colon abnormalities, and malabsorption or infection can explain the symptoms as well.  

Tests to consider would be a colonoscopy, as well as sending the stool off to analyze for malabsorption or infection.

I would also consider blood tests to exclude celiac disease.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
KevinMD.com