I was diagnosed with IBS-D after a colonscopy and endoscopy last feb. I just returned from Israel and have had diarrhea so I took 2 immodium and didn't have a bowel movement for a few days. (Normally I have 4-5 per day) this morning I passed stool that was completely covered with mucus. Is this normal for IBS? Is it something I need to get checked out?
Thanks!
Julia
Lupus, Raynaud's, Chronic Urticaria, Thrombocytopenia 2003, Small Fiber Neuropathy 2005, Renal Tubular Dysfunction-Hypokalemia 2005
Meds:
Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Prednisone, Nifedical, Celebrex, Arava, Amitryptaline, Effexor XR, Amiloride, Lyrica
Yes, mucus is normal with IBS. Some IBSers have stools that are nothing but mucus. You should only be alarmed if it is tinted red or dark as this may be a sign of bleeding. But most people's is clear, yellowish or greenish.
And I have a problem with Immodiums giving me constipation (from one extreme to another). You don't mention that you had to strain any when you finally had a bowel movement, but I think people who are constipated do tend to have more mucus than those who have diarrhea; you may have gotten the mucus with your poop just because it stayed in your system longer. I understand wanting to head off diarrhea when you are traveling, but next time you may want to start with just one Immodium and see if that stops your diarrhea so you don't end up backing yourself up with it. If I take any, I tend to take a half of a pill at a time, or else take Pepto Bismol pills because they don't end up making me constipated the next day.
And I have a problem with Immodiums giving me constipation (from one extreme to another). You don't mention that you had to strain any when you finally had a bowel movement, but I think people who are constipated do tend to have more mucus than those who have diarrhea; you may have gotten the mucus with your poop just because it stayed in your system longer. I understand wanting to head off diarrhea when you are traveling, but next time you may want to start with just one Immodium and see if that stops your diarrhea so you don't end up backing yourself up with it. If I take any, I tend to take a half of a pill at a time, or else take Pepto Bismol pills because they don't end up making me constipated the next day.
Also, I wanted to add that I have trouble with C with Immodium and the Immodium AD seems to go easier on my system. So, you may want to try that as well.
Thanks. Next time i'll just try one tablet.
Lupus, Raynaud's, Chronic Urticaria, Thrombocytopenia 2003, Small Fiber Neuropathy 2005, Renal Tubular Dysfunction-Hypokalemia 2005
Meds:
Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Prednisone, Nifedical, Celebrex, Arava, Amitryptaline, Effexor XR, Amiloride, Lyrica
Lupus, Raynaud's, Chronic Urticaria, Thrombocytopenia 2003, Small Fiber Neuropathy 2005, Renal Tubular Dysfunction-Hypokalemia 2005
Meds:
Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Prednisone, Nifedical, Celebrex, Arava, Amitryptaline, Effexor XR, Amiloride, Lyrica