Ohhhh, you're not peri-menopausal.
Goodness gracious. Because of the time-frame, I also doubt this is viral related as well. Most viral illnesses have a cycle of 7 to 10 days.
I'll place my bet on an exacerbation of your IBS, Kathryn. It's important to realize that IBS symptoms can make you feel incredibly ill and not in any specific manner. More importantly, it doesn't just affect the GI tract, but your general sense of well-being. This is why afflicted patients begin searching for all sorts of possible causes.
I've had many a patient tell me that they feel extremely tired all the time and they sometimes feel like they're in a mental fog. They report feeling queasy and tremulous, with dry mouth and GI-related complaints. Importantly, patients also describe sensing hot, flushing sensations and sweating on occasion. You should know that this response is typically associated with constipation and results from rather aggressive efforts by the bowel to move waste through the colon and out of the body. Remember that IBS is a disorder of the water balance within the colon, which is where the majority of water re-uptake occurs. This is why patients with IBS either suffer from extreme diarrhea or constipation, sometimes both. Too little water, constipation results and too much water, diarrhea occurs. You might well imagine that changes in electrolytes do occur as a consequence.
You have to realize that IBS is cyclic in nature. You can sometimes go for extended periods without many symptoms, only to find in a matter of a couple of days that you feel miserable and everything you eat or drink seems to bring on indigestion or other symptoms. You don't necessarily have to be under any extreme stress for a flare-up as well. There is research underway to suggest that IBS may have some association to an auto-immune response of some type but the evidence is unclear.
While your symptoms may be similar to those of your friend, be careful not to make a direct association. GI problems have a variety of underlying causes and only because I know something of your history do I suggest yours to be related to IBS.
I'll add here as I've done in the past that it's quite difficult indeed for me to respond to questions about whether you should see your doctor. I'm constrained to point out that I haven't the ability to directly evaluate you, so from a practical and even professional standpoint, I can only offer you information based upon what is presented in your posting and what I know of your history. If you feel that your symptoms are unusual and you are concerned, then by all means you should make elective decisions about whether to present the matter to your doctor.
If you're experiencing difficulty with bowel movements or constipation, accompanied by indigestion and a sense of lethargy, then it's important to try and get things to calm down. Remember that coffee and related beverages are very dehydrating. Chocolate as well. Just try and keep in mind that if it tastes really delicious and you feel guilty while eating it, it will likely exacerabte your IBS symptoms.
I'm glad to hear from you and so very proud of all the progress you've made since we first spoke. I trust all is well with your family and please continue to visit us from time to time should you have questions. I'll be around if you need me.
Best regards and Good Health