Advice please..very scared

[crybaby]

When I woke up this morning and went to the bathroom, my stools were very loose, dark and it looked like they had mucus in them.  Now I'm freaking out, I'm so scared I have cancer.  I've been having alternating dirreaha with normal stools for about 2 months.  Can someone please give me some advice. 

[itsmeesindee]

It is probably irritable bowel syndrome which is very common in people with anxiety disorders.  I would speak with my doctor about it to confirm.

Cin

[Ben]

This has very little to indicate anything sinister like Cancer. As I've mentioned already, the colon (my GI told me) is sensitive in everyone and super sensitive in many. Anxiety will interfere with your stools. Mucous is very common when anxious and as far as I know can be caused by diet or even and overworked liver or pancreas but not colon cancer. Your doctor will be able to put your mind at ease about this in no time.

A bizarre question - when "normal" are your stools ever two-tone in color (some of the stool darker and some lighter)? This is often due to an occasionally spasming colon which processes waste at different speeds, it's a very clear illustration of the role anxiety can play in affecting colon contraction.

[ceh1354]

Wow, Ben. Yes, they are! It never bothered me cause I am always looking out for light, light or very dark. Learned something from you again!

Crybaby- Alternating means IBS. Hang in there- we'll talk later.

[Ben]

Christine - My GI said that that's a key factor in IBS. If stools are "two tone" then either part of the colon is spasming or the whole colon is in spasm and then calms. The waste is processed at different speeds leading to two tone stools. This illustrates anxiety and links anxiety to IBS concretely in his view. Cancer does NOT make your colon spasm. So if you're ever two tone you can be sure that IBS - anxiety is a central element in what you're going through.

[ceh1354]

0534, I had no idea! Another thing is, I feel like my intestines (lg and sm.) are spasming a lot. Just gurgling and weird nioses.
 I certainly am anxious right now, and feel I will be for the next week!
Thanks for the great info, Ben!

[crybaby]

Thanks so much for your input everyone.  I know my doctor brought up IBS a couple years ago, but then I get better.  Even though I have suffered with anxiety for over 20 years, I think this one is it and it's not anxiety at all but a real symptom of something bad because the symptoms vary.  I tend to time how long my episodes last and this has been the longest. I very rarely have a good morning, right when I get up...I'll feel a pain not even a real bad pain maybe even a twing....somewhere in my stomach and then I take off with it and turn into a complete mess.  I just want it to go away.  Anyways, thanks again for your support.

[niteriders1]

I had this same thing. I had to get a colonoscopy done and they didnt find anything. They said it was just ibs. I wouldn't worry to much.