_AntiSaint_

IBD and IBS are very different on a physiological level. I have ulcerative colitis, which is an autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure (outside of removing my large intestine). Crohn’s and UC are considered IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) it’s a disease that requires consistent treatment with oral and/or rectal medication. IBS is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which are generally unusual bowel patterns or symptoms but are not a specific inflammatory disease like the diseases stated above. Is it IBD or IBS? Biggest indicator is blood when having a bowel movement... IBD sufferers will bleed from ulcers in our intestines, rectum, etc. If you get a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy then your GI will be able to tell immediately if there is chronic inflammation. IBS is not based upon an autoimmune response attacking your colon, that’s what IBD is. Sorry I suck at explaining these things but my fiancée has IBS and I have IBD and the amount of confusion out there about these two terms is unbelievable. They sound similar by their terms but, in practice, are very different.

Do you have to go in the middle of the night or can you sleep throughout the night?

Why do you have 6-8 bowel movements a day? I’m guessing the digestive process is shortened with no large intestine... is food less digested?

I’ve heard that life with a bag is actually significantly better than life with severe UC, is that true?

Edit: or a J pouch

Blood in stool is the #1 indicator that it’s IBD over IBS. Make sure it’s not hemorrhoids first but if you ever see blood in your stool GO SEE A GI NOW AND DO NOT WAIT. I have a relatively mild case of ulcerative colitis and it can spread far and quickly if you don’t get treatment the moment you notice it. Some people will go “well it’s blood but I’m not in pain so I’m sure it’ll go away” and then they wait for months, or even years, before seeing a GI and they end up having a severe case due to waiting so long to get treatment that would’ve otherwise curbed the inflammation.