I'm glad I just discovered this community. I was diagnosed with IBS just over 5 years ago, dealing with the symptoms for about 8 yrs.

I've recently seen 2 well regarded Gastroenterologists who did every imaginable test, scope, and biopsy to learn that my urgent, full elimination, morning diarrhea is not related to SIBO, Inflammatory disease, or anything else they can identify. "It appears you have IBS," is all I've heard. There's no pain or bloating, just a sudden need for 8-10 urgent trips to the bathroom before10am.

Low FODMAP diet doesn't help. High doses of Immodium control it for the rest of the day, then I start the cycle all over again the next morning. I'm at my wits end, so to speak.

Does this Morning Madness sound familiar to anyone else? Have you been able to manage it beyond high daily doses of Immodium? Should I be seeing a different type of specialist?

Thanks for any wisdom or suggestions!

Welcome @SuzyQzee

That's unfortunate that you have been living with this for some years. Glad you were fully investigated. The no pain or bloating is surprising along with a diagnosis of IBS. Functional diarrhea is all a diagnosis that's different from IBS.

The gastroenterologist is the right doctor to try and sort this out. Did they consider Bile Acid Diarrhea, Pancreatic Insufficiency or CSID? There are so many similar conditions that have been identified that are not IBS.

If you are exhausted to the point that you just want to treat it, I would suggest speaking to your doctor about trying Viberzi (must have a gallbladder to use this), Ondansetron or even a trial of Cholestyramine versus using daily imodium.

I just found this forum and have just begun looking at the posts and resources. Great opportunity to share experiences and suggestions! My story has some overlap with yours but not exactly. I never had GI issues but about five months ago began having diarrhea with lots of gas several times every morning--very consistent. No problems later in the day. Although I would have loud tummy gurgling, I did not have what I would call pain (so doesn't technically fit IBS but more "functional diarrhea".) I finally got into my doctor after five weeks of this and she suggested that the most common digestive problem is lactose intolerance. I initially dismissed this since most people describe pain and GI issues within hours of eating lactose. I ate a cup of milk each morning but didn't have any issue until the next morning. Still, I agreed to try eliminating lactose. I was surprised that it noticeably improved (but did not fully correct) my issues. This continued for a few weeks and then decided I needed to try eliminating all FODMAP foods and then testing individual foods. I read up on the diet, bought lots of special foods (e.g. rice flour pasta) and carefully stuck to the diet before testing individual foods. I kept record of what I ate and my GI responses. So far, it looks like foods I ate a LOT of like apples and watermelon are problems but wheat, onions, garlic, for example, are fine. I am still experimenting but it seems to be helping. I have not taken any medications.

This may not be useful to you since you say you have tried FODMAP without success. Make sure you follow it pretty closely and get help from a nutritionist if you need it. I had to eliminate many, many foods during the testing phase. As you know, the FODMAP diet is not intended as a permanent diet but a means to find out if your GI issues are connected at all to specific dietary factors.

Now I am focused on building up my microbiome with plenty of plant foods and fiber. I have taken a probiotic and a prebiotic but not as regularly as I should. My hope is that I can get my gut healthy and better able to handle most foods. I will be going into my regular doctor again soon. We'll see if she wants more tests or wants me to see a specialist.

New member here. My symptoms are somewhat similar. I tried to make a list of trigger foods but sometimes they dont bother me. When they do I get immediate explosive bowel movements that often look like undigested leafy foods. When im done I can get another one right after. Imwpnder if its more stress related. I know if im stressed I cant even have a drop of hot sauce or im done. Its come to the point where I get anxious if I go to a restaurant in fear I will have to go and no washroom will be available. I was taking immodium as well but its not good to be taking it daily. As I get older it seems to be getting worse.