[whodat]

Hello.I am 31 years old and I was diagnosed with IBS and GERD on Sept. 10, 2001. I occasionally pop bentl and nexium and after about 2 years finally had this all under control. Or so I thought.About two weeks ago, I started to see mucus after straining. I figured it was OK, but then the mucus started to assume the color of the stool and was sometimes brownish red. I cannot tell if it is blood or not, since the stool is normal looking, but it's the mucus color on the stool that concerns me. I am really freaked out about this and scared I now have something worse than IBS.I have a good gastro, and have left a voice mail with the nurse about an hour ago. But I am in panic mode and scared to death right now of what happens next. I don't want a colonoscopy. I just want to be normal again. Have any of you had these symptoms... reddish-brown mucus on stool or by itself when you strain? I feel like I am the only one in the world with this oddity and suffering. I don't know what else I can do.

 

[whodat]

Thank you both -- I really appreciate your insight and candor. Still waiting to hear back from my gastro's office. I suppose they'll want to see me soon, though I am not looking forward to it. I guess I just want to get it all over with, scared as I am.This IBS thing.... crazy. Just when you think you have it licked, it comes back with new symptoms. And for a worry wart personality type like me, it's torture mentally. This new thing worried me so much, I finally registered here instead of just lurking.Again, thank you both and to anyone who wants to offer more insight or advice. This place is a Godsend.

 

[whodat]

Thank you both -- I really appreciate your insight and candor. Still waiting to hear back from my gastro's office. I suppose they'll want to see me soon, though I am not looking forward to it. I guess I just want to get it all over with, scared as I am.This IBS thing.... crazy. Just when you think you have it licked, it comes back with new symptoms. And for a worry wart personality type like me, it's torture mentally. This new thing worried me so much, I finally registered here instead of just lurking.Again, thank you both and to anyone who wants to offer more insight or advice. This place is a Godsend.