Aniexty And IBS? How To Handle It?

Digestive health
1

I have recently been diagnosed with IBS. (no tests other than a stool sample). But i also suffer from severe aniexty disorder and have done for years. The doctors think the stress i suffer from has induced this horrible condition.

My aniextys roll around my health mainly. So im finding this new change at increasingly diffiicult to manage and whats worse, im not sure if my symptoms are normal for IBS or not.

It tends to flare up when i am more nervous/ on my own and not doing anything. If im busy and out i seem fine (touch wood). I suffer from loose stool, at times i have a number of BM a day. When this dies down i will go days with no BM at all. (not constipation) Then it will flare again. This period of time with nothing sends me into a paranoid state as i dont like leaving the house when i have a flare up. So far the only food i can pinpoint a reaction from is mints and nerves. Any other food and when im positive i seem ok.

I beg for a period where i can go back to normal. Just for a time as doing research it says symptoms will die down. But when? This has been going on a few weeks now. The doctors are useless. They gave me Mebeverine which i have just started today to see if it helps. (fingers crossed) But other than that told me to just leave it till it settles. Easier said than done though.

Im only 20 years old and i feel like the rest of my life is now on hold. Its very depressing. I have been upped on my aniexty medication which im hoping will take the edge off. But how do you cope with BOTH conditions? Can someone please shed some light on this?! sad

2

Hey Emily I feel exactly the same I've had a constant flare up for nearly 2 months and still struggling to find something that will totally settle the pain and discomfort! You need to stay positive and try new things it's a little like trial and error to see what agrees with your body. Just eat little and open but very light. I sleep with a water bottle which takes the edge off and drink plenty of water. I'm in the same boat as you my anxiety makes it a lot worse but you need to try and be as positive as you can and keep yourself busy!

3

I know exactly what you mean - I found myself in a downward spiral. The more anxious I became about my health, the worse my IBS became. My GP recommended the Low FODMAP diet. I've been following it for about 9 months and whilst my IBS isn't cured it is a million times better. As soon as I realised I could manage and control the IBS my anxiety disappeared Low FODMAP doesn't work for everyone but its definitely worth a try. 

Jan

Jan

4

It is stated on most websites that although aniexty and stress co exsists with IBS it isnt known to actually cause it. But in this case i have to disagree. Some people say it is pure stress and aniexty with no food triggers. So far i dont think food is triggering it as it always seems to flare when im anxious/ alone /or not doing anything. But that doesn't mean i wont worry about it when im out and about. Its such a viscious cycle. Does the FODMAP diet help IBS D or is it just in general IBS cases? A few people have mentioned it.

5

Your symptoms are very normal for IBS.  Anxiety triggers my stomach pain but food does not.  My symptoms were a lot worse before diagnosis because of health anxiety.  After diagnosis, I find I have improved.  However, I am slways anxious about something and this won't change so I have learned to accept it and avoid things that make me panic.

6

Phew!!, Glad im not the only one who is in the same position. It was worrying me a bit as it says on the NHS website 2 to 4 days!!!. I don't eat much anyway and never eat big meals. Its diffiicult as i cant seem to pinpoint any triggers (which is both a good and a bad thing) other than mints and gum i can eat other foods with no serious reaction (so far). The pain i get is minor THANKFULLY! and only lasts for a few minuites before going again. Tending to flare up with aniexty and sometimes in the evenings. Hoping the Mebeverine will help my symptoms. Read some right horror stories about that drug!

I lead a very active lifestyle as i work with horses. However it never eases the parinoia. The cylce just wont stop..

7

I suppose looking back my symptoms have improved slightly since my diagnosis but they havent eased since i have been diagnosed. And because of my health aniexty i find my IBS flares up when i worry about it flaring up or think its going to flare up!.. Praying the Mebeverine helps!

8

They did offer me Mebeverine but have give me Audmonal capsules instead I don't know if you have much knowledge about them. I've been taking them for 3 days the pains aren't as intense but still feel very discomforted. I currently find myself not wanted to move with the pain

9

I guess since no-one knows precisely what causes IBS the most we can do is to try to identify those things that exacerbate our condition and try to minimise or elimate those factors. The Low FODMAP diet can be tailored to deal with IBS C, or D, or both. Until starting the diet I honestly thought I didn't have any food triggers. I discovered, through the diet, that mushrooms, onions and garlic will invariably cause a bad reaction, and that I can only tolerate gluten in moderation. I also learned to check the ingredients in products very carefully. For example some brands of tomato ketchup contain onions, others don't. I rarely ate onions  so I would never have identified them as a trigger, but of course I was having them without realising it. There is no doubt in my mind that anxiety can be a major trigger. I had reached the stage of being afraid to go out in case I couldn't get to a loo quickly enough, so of course when I did go out My anxiety levels were sky high, and sure enough I could feel churning and spasms in my stomach. The fact that the diet dramatically reduced the severity and frequency of the diahorrea meant that I was considerably less anxious when I was going out. Now, I don't even give a second thought to having to be in easy reach of a loo when I am out. 

Jan

10

From what i have read Mebeverine relaxes the gut and is supposed to stop Loose BM. However this is only due to the side affect of Constipation. If you suffer with IBS C at all it is not reccomened to take Mebeverine as the constipation will get worse and thus will the pain. It depends what type you suffer from. Where abouts is the pain? Different medications are actually formed to treat different types of pain. So if you get a half decent doctor who knows what they are doing they will put you on a drug that is best designed for that type of discomfort or IBS. The drugs are all trial and error though and some people have said the more natural approaches are better.  If the pain isnt easing i would go back and get another type of medication. Did you try Mebeverine?

11

Definately going to have a look at this diet then! Thanks

12

Hi huni, I am 28 years old and have had ibs now for around 16 years and over the time due to things ive been through i develoed depression and anxiety, Which any psychological illnesses or disorders will cause your ibs to be worsened. I am a loose stool ibs sufferer and can be best buddies with the loo for hours before i go out and can continue through the day, I have learned over the years that the only way i can go out anywhere and not suffer with toiletting is to take a codiene before i go anywhere and that bungs me up until the evening, But then the next day i can have the relapse of my ibs not been so great. Long term regular codiene is not good just like any medications especially being such a heavy duty drug so i would ask to be referred to a bowel specialist where they can try other meds with you first and trial things out, unlike myself the other given meds to help ibs sufferers do not work on me :-( So i rely on the codiene to have a "normal" life otherwise i would be indoors or out and incontinent. Try to look at your stress and anxiety levels and ways that you can self help yourself rather than looking straight at the ibs. My anxiety plays up like crazy when im outdoors in a crowded or unknown area so i either try to avoid it or have a codiene a few times a week ( which my consultant told me to take upto 12 a day if needed, which it isnt) Maybe counselling can help? Look at your diet, Cut out stress and anxiety where you an control and also get intouch with a new circle of friend ( online? groups?) that you feel comfortable talking to and who are going through the same thing, As my friends giggle at me and make jokes of the situations my ibs can put me in, But in the end i actually giggle along. I'l be happy to keep intouch if you need someone to talk to :-) and here for anyone else too xx

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13

I never tried it And he then decided to give me something else. My pain is in my left lower tummy and high up by my ribs on my right side. I just eat a salad with all the stuff that I'm aloud to eat and it just makes me feel sick

14

Hi Emily,

     Firstly remember, it is not disease or infection which can be fixed by medicine in one go. Basically, it is malfunctioning so it would be controlled over time.Trust me in my case anxiety was worse. My doctor is used to say - stomach is second brain. So even whatever your subconscious mind retains as depression/negative thought/hate/anger, impacts your stomach. And yes,

some foods or  bad bacterias make this condition hell.

Now, way to come out of it:

1. Try to make your conscious / subconscious mind at peace

2. Listen to soothing music, talk to friendly people

3. Focus on healthy diet with small meal . Probiotic is good way to maintain good bacteria

4. Meditate on anything you trust the most (parents, God..), try to make yourself understand you'll manage everything and you're fine. Meditation or Yoga whatever you find easy..try from tomorrow.

5. Start your morning slow (may be with some health drink, a good call, nice music)

6. If you're afraid of anything specific, try to find out way to kill that insecurity.

7. Make small wins, that help to regain confidence. And get disconnect to

anything which pulls you back to anxiety.

I am sure after some time , You'll be helping others to kill anxiety

Best Wishes

NS

15

Go Back to the doctors and tell them the drugs are not working. I cannot say how well the Mebervine works from a personal view just yet as not long been on them. But after my 2nd dose today i have yet to get any issues. If my symptoms improve i will be sure to reccommend as many people say its one of the best ones out there. So maybe sugest it to your doctor?

16

Its so lovely on here! I thought when posting this i wouldn't get a good response but is so lovely to have people who know and understand what i am going through. My other half sits and listens but he doesn't understand it enough to offer advice or to really help in support. He is just someone to vent to.

Im really hoping the Mebeverine has a good affect on me. So far today it hasn't but only on my second dose. Although im sorry to hear your condition is so bad. Makes me feel lucky in a way to have it on a minor scale when you read some of the other stories.

I have picked up lots of information today and hopefully with the medication can try and get this condition under control a bit. If all else fails im going back to the doctors to ask for further tests as they seem reluctant to offer them to me at the moment.

Im almost certain if i didnt find this site i would of lost my mind. Feeling so much better.

17

Yes I'm going to take these tablets for a few more days and see how I get on. Hopefully they work but worst case scenario I will suggest the tablets you are taking.

18

Hi NS

Does that mean the Mebeverine may take a while to fully work? As from what i have read it normally has a quick action.

Yes my doctor has said that to me. And just recently i have believed it. The tiniest bit of aniexty or stress immediatly goes to my stomach and thus flares up my IBS. Sometimes it flares up before i even realise im nervous.

Thankyou. I have researched some diets, meal plans and keeping up with a food diary. As well as all the tips and support on here. I used to cope with my aniexty rather well as could predict my bodies reactions and control them. But with IBS i have no real control of it and therefore its giving me a sense of insecurity. However this is all rather fresh so maybe once its sinked in i will be able to cope with it better. One can only hope!!

19

Let me know how you get on.

20

I will do! Thank you hope we both see some progress in the next week or so 😊