I am on a similar path to yours. Mine is partially due to prescription med- the dose was reduced. I am very close to a state of hyperthyroidism so the dose of that med was adjusted. I havd ptsd so there is a factor. I started using a mix of green peppermint and ginger- lemon tea. This helps me too. Still adjusting my diet. I cannot drink milk anymore. Dark chocolate helps.

Amazing how many, especially woman, have the same issues then yours, after several years with constipation, diarrhea, etc. and doctors telling me I have IBS live with it I finally was diagnosed with collagenous colitis after a biopsy during a colonoscopy, the only way to diagnose this disease, can not be cured but kind of managed with medication and diet. I am also gluten sensitive, lactose etc. at least now I know the cause of my colon issues and can handle it better. You might especially at your age have this checked better then the not knowing.

Hi @lee2025
Thank you so much for posting. “Just knowing someone else gets it helps more than you know! 🙏“.
I am here to simply sit with you, and say…..the struggle real, and exhausting. I get it!

I keep seeing more about gut microbiome, also the gut-brain connection. The more I learn how to navigate my own journey the more I realize just how much seems to be a mystery. I found a couple resources down this path:
-research is happening: https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/enteric-neuroscience-program/overview
-gut brain overview: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/the-gut-brain-connection

It sounds like genetics gave you a place to hone in and focus. How did this work?
Do you notice any systemic cycles of whatever-ness happening in your body? I know, I know…living in a bubble enough to be able to answer that question is part of the exhaustion.

@lee2025
Are you working with a gastroenterologist and nutritionist/dietitian? Are you taking any supplements or medications?

Have you had a endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsies/samples tested for bacteria/viruses/parasites, etc.?

1. https://medicalhealthauthority.com/info/why-is-my-poop-like-a-pile-of-mud.html
2. https://www.prevention.com/health/a20441452/7-textures-of-poop-and-what-they-mean/
3. https://enviroliteracy.org/why-is-my-poop-like-mud/
4. https://www.oh-mygut.com/mushy-stool-and-gas/
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/loose-stools
6. https://wellwisp.com/why-does-my-poop-look-like-mud/

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have struggled with rotating diarrhea/ constipation for 30 years and am in the middle of a five day constipation event following last weekend's three days of diarrhea. My gastroenterologist has yet to find a cause and I'm extremely careful with drugs as last fall I was diagnosed with liver Fibrosis, thanks to three years of Prednisone, followed by methotrexate to recover from Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I have lost 30 pounds and lessened my fibrosis degree through a diet very much like yours. In February I had emergency surgery when an abdominal adhesion from an old surgery attempted to strangle my bowel. Fortunately, the surgeon saved my bowel but its performance never improved. As I'm getting ready to call my doctor on a holiday weekend, believe me when I say, I feel your pain. Hugs for you and don't give up the fight.

I’ve been diagnosed with gastroparisis 2 years ago and nothing they’ve tried has given me relief. I started a diet for it about a month ago with no relief. I’ve had a bought with SIBO also. I’m a diabetic Type 2. My stomach and bowls are in distress 24 hrs a day. Would appreciate any suggestions.

I was diagnosed with IBS-D for the last forty years. Many colonoscopies and endoscopies and except inflammation and a hiatal hernia found nothing new. I gave up gluten 14 years ago and that has helped a lot also dairy. But there are still days I can't leave the house. As it happens Chinese food is the hardest thing I can eat. Unless the soy sauce is gluten free and the noodles are rice and not wheat. I can do Thai or Vietnamese because most of everything is made with rice. I also have PI which is Primary Immunodeficiency kind of like the Boy in the Bubble but not as bad. Since most of our immunity is in the gut that could also be the cause of my GI problems. I do infusions of other peoples antibodies in the form of blood plasma but that just helps with bacteria or viral infections not gut problems. I just signed up for a Webinar session with Dr. Mark Pimental the world expert on IBS from Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles for the latest in IBS and Sibo. It's next Thursday. Maybe I can find out something new, but do now have high hopes.

We ran out of diet soda and I bought these teas. Green lemon and ginger peppermint and a tea called smooth move with senna. The green tea is really helping with me. Has only been about 2 weeks with no diet soda. No caffeine withdrawal. Green tea helping with my allergies. My GI issues are improving too. I had my dose of lamotrigine changed and reduced to lamotrigine ER 100mg. I am very close lab value wise to hyperthroidism. I have reduced my stress. And made dietary changes as well. I will be working on this more. I had a cholestecttomy in October 2014 so the bile entering my GI tract has been an issue too.

A good resource for IBS and SIBO is the work of Dr Mark Pimental at Cedars Sinai. He recommends not eating for 4 hours between eating anything to allow the MMC time to push your food through your GI system, since peristalisis stops when new digestion begins. He also suggests a low fermentation diet, which is similar but less limiting than low FODMAP. Trio test diagnoses SIBO; rifaximin and pepto bismol work well for me with H2 and HS producing bacteria in my gut.

I have been on my journey for more than four years. Since Jan 2021 actually. My solutions change, my gut changes. I maybe have 3-4 different problems affecting my gut/elimination/digestion. I focus on home remedies -- food, supplements and lifestyle (most drug choices are limited and don't seem to match my needs, but I am willing to try them) Just keep at it. You will learn, with medical help or not, what makes your gut work better.