so scared I have something serious

[Angsthase]

I always struggled with my appetite since I was diagnosed with IBS 4 years ago. Since about 3 months or so it's esspecially bad. I also feel that I have low energy all the time and it's very hard to get out of bed in the morning. I also lost some weight which is hopefully from my low appetite. My last CBC blood test was in February and it was fine. My question is, can something bad develop between February and now or can I be pretty assured that my blood test from February is still considered good. I am just so scared and worried about it. By the way I don't have full blown diarrhia or constipation with my IBS, it's more abdominal discomfort/pain which varies every day.

[AYKM]

What you have is classic IBS. My mom has it so bad, that it will wipe her out for a week. I have had mine for about....8 years. It can manifest itself in many ways and can come and go. I would look at some foods and supplments to help with the symptoms for now, and "get to know your IBS". Start recognizing the symptoms that you experience. This way when they happen, you don't immediately start to panic. IBS can be exhausting and will certainly effect your appetite, which thus leads to weight loss or gain. One thing that I did to help was start going through which foods effected me and start weeding out the ones that caused the most symptoms. Nerves and stress will play a huge role too. I a sure it is all IBS/anxiety related. When my appetite is not all that, I try to give myself comfort food, easy to digest and follow up with some stomach smoothing tea.

[Angsthase]

Thanks for responding. What about the days when the IBS is not too bad but I still have issues with my appetite and sluggishness. Do you think the CBC from February is still valid ?

[Tina20]

What is IBS?

[Angsthase]

IBS stands for Irritable Bowl Syndrome.

[Tina20]

How do you know if you have it?

[Angsthase]

I went to the G. I doctor.

[AYKM]

Yes, I feel that the blood tests would still be fine for reference. I would retest in a year, just as they tell anyone else. When I thought I had someting serious they would test me about every three months, and NOTHING changed. Eventually I started requesting every 6 months because I was tired of being poked. It turned out to be nothing, but someone on this post had a good point one time. They said that their friend was an at home investor and would watch the stocks. He said that if he looked everyday and went off of that, there would be so much fluctuation and scare that he would be switching stuff out all the time. But if he waited and took time before checking, he would realize that there was really no pattern and all was safe. It's that whole not seeing the forest through the trees thing.