Ibs with lighter stool

[Elizabeth Fry]

I've had ibs really badly and gastritis too all stress and anxiety related. My stool colour was lighter for a couple of days and is a bit darker today. I mentioned the change in colour to my GP yesterday and she seemed unconcerned. I go from one thing to another. Does anyone else have this?

[Creesy]

Hi Elizabeth,

Yeah I get that as well and also a change in consistency constantly as well.
I almost knew there was something not right from the start of the new year before I started getting sore stomach etc as I noticed the smell had completely changed as well, I hadn't changed diet or lifestyle etc.

Well.....my tracker bar for breakfast has just been put back in the drawer till later!

[Elizabeth Fry]

Hi Cressy

Thanks for your reply. It's hard to know what to eat - I have alternate breakfasts! Cereal and porridge! To make matters worse I had campylobacter last year and that's caused more problems. I don't think anxiety helps at all - I feel it's like being on red alert all the time. However your reply really did help.

Elizabeth x

[aimlesswanderer]

Hi Elizabeth

My stools vary from almost yellow in colour to dark brown. Usually the looser ones are lighter in colour (apparently because they bypass part of the normal digestive cycle) and the normal or constipated ones are darker. So long as you're not seeing red or black it's usually not a major worry, but if you're concerned ask your GP if you can submit a sample.