IBD vs IBS
Hi all. I do hope it is okay to post here, if not I am happy to take this down.
I guess my question is, can IBS develop into IBD?
More details:
I have had bowel issues for quite a few years now. 2 years ago I saw a gastroenterologist, who ordered a colonoscopy and gastroscopy. I was told at the time that I had IBS and inflammation of the stomach. I was told to change my diet, and that things would improve.
Fast forward to now. I have been developing symptoms that aren't typical with IBS (lots of mucus in stool, blood in stools, iron deficiency that doesn't improve with iron supplements, diarrhea to the point where if I cough or sneeze I can have an accident, fatigue etc)
My doctor wants to refer me to a new gastroenterologist to look at a repeat scope.
I am hesitant to go through a colonoscopy again, as the prep for the last one was.. well, excuse the pun, crappy.
I guess my question is, is it possible that I have developed some form of IBD?
Of course I will leave diagnosis up to medical professionals, I am not asking for any form of diagnosis. I guess I'm just wondering if it is even possible, as I know, and my doctor agrees, that blood in stool/toilet water, excessive mucus, iron deficiency that doesn't respond to iron supplements, aren't your typical IBS symptoms.
I have been cleared for Celiac as well.
Thank you all.
Dear Mikayla from the symptoms you mentioned it doesn t seem like IBS and I think it would be best if you repeated the colonscopy for confirmation purposes as if you need certain type of medication and your not getting it your symptoms might get worse.
Hi
, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I agree that getting on the correct medication can be really important. -Eshani (IBD Team Member)
Hi
, I am so sorry that you are going through this and experiencing these awful symptoms. To answer your question, IBS does not become IBD--however, some people actually have both IBS and IBD, so it's possible this is what is happening to you. Doing a colonoscopy is the gold standard for seeing if there is inflammation, which is likely why your doctor did recommend it. I know the scopes aren't fun, but they are really helpful to getting down to what is going on, especially since your symptoms do seem somewhat aligned with IBD symptoms (though they may be aligned with something else as well). You can also get some blood tests and stool tests, but the colonoscopy is often the most useful tool. Please let me know if I can help in any other way, and please keep us updated on your journey. <3 -Eshani (IBD Team Member) 
no, IBS doesn't increase the risk of developing any other bowel condition. However, it's not uncommon to be misdiagnosed with IBS when it's actually IBD. It's also possible to have both IBS and IBD.
It is definitely worth having another colonoscopy. Blood is not a symptom of IBS. A GP can run some basic blood and stool tests which might indicate if it's more than IBS - such as calprotectin (stool sample) and CRP (blood test). These look for inflammation.
Hope that helps.
~ Sahara (team member)
