I have always been a nervous/anxious person and even as a child I would get an upset stomach at certain situations (i distinctly remember being very ill before a school play at junior school). I am now 23 and during the past year my IBS has almost become a part of everyday life, usually occuring worst before entering a sitution I feel stressed about. This would involve an upset stomach and a need to go to the toilet many times with diarrhoea. This would happen often when eating out, especially with people and places I am not familiar with. The past year has been rubbish and the help I recieved from my doctor has been innacurate and I now believe there is a global conspiracy to ply sufferers with drugs in order to mask the underlying problem (much like anti depressants).
It has become apparant to me that there is one cause - Stress, I have spent many hours researching IBS and I bet most of the people who have posted comments here are anxious people, more introvert than extrovert, worry about travelling and probably pick up viruses more often than 'normal' people! Often a problem in the back of your mind may be eating away at you, then the everyday stresses of life add to this and thus you get ill. I get really annoyed when people would tell me to 'just relax' thinking it was just a matter of flicking a switch and you would be relaxed. I am not an expert by any means but I am not prepared to sit around and wait for a cure - there will probably never be a cure. I found the best way to control IBS is to deal with the stress, talk to people - I have started to find doing this makes the problem sound ridiculous, and thus it becomes less of a problem. I am currently trying my hand at self hypnosis in order to control my subconscious mind (yes I know it sounds daft) and am considering other options. I am starting to focus on relaxing more and eventually I believe I will be able to control the problem fully.
In my opinion, people need to explore their problem and read case studies - A book from the IBS network was quite an interesting read. This site has been really useful and reading other peoples comments has helped me, personally I agree some foods exaggerate the problem (caffine, fizzy stuff - but I can have these fine when I am relaxed so these are definately not the cause). Try and get a good nights sleep and eat drink and use the toilet regular when you are relaxed. Its all in the mind. I really hope this inspires some people although I appreciate people may not agree with what I have said!
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Id just like to say your comments have hit the nail on the head. I was diagnosed with ibs about a year ago. Like you im a very nervous/anxious person. Even had to pack work in because i was having panick attacks. I get nervous going places with my friends for the fear my ibs will start, and the more i fear it the more stress it causes which is just a viscous circle. My friends didnt really understand so i felt embarrased to talk about it. Its only recently things have got a bit better because my friend has been diagnosed with it, so ihave someone to talk to about it. I also hate people saying relax try not to worry!! If it was that easy i would definitly just switch off!! Ive recently been doing breathing exercises to help, and when i get panicky it really does help!!
The doctors arent much help at all, its like there not interested, there like, youve got ibs go and deal with it!!
Ive cut out all the fizzy drinks, take away meals and fatty foods, and so far feeling much better.
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I read your piece with interest and I must admit you are correct in some things you mention however using your hypothesis explain this to me please.For 31 yrs I worked for the health service and never suffered IBS I retired 4 yrs ago and have suffered ever since.In the course of my work I liaised with medical staff, radiologists pharmacists nurse managers etc a highly individual and very stressful job. Now in retirement I have less stress but have the many symptoms of IBS.I have had investigations by endoscopy and colonoscopy which all proved negative.I walk virtually everyday have a healthy diet which is the same as when I worked,so no change there then, except I have the symptoms of IBS which at times are so debilitating I despair.
Ido not want to knock your assumption on the head but I confess to be puzzled I think IBS is an highly individual illness with perhaps more causes than the medical service could throw a stick at ,its just not researched enough.What works for one does not work for another so psychologically the more 'we' read the more we think its that or that or that, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Is it diet, is it psychological, is it stress induced who knows? More research is needed and that is that! until then a good diet not too much bulk, antispasmodics and Paracetamol nothing else
remember that those that inform 'you that paracetamol is no good are talking rubbish the large colon is made of lots of nerve endings that is what produces the pain the anti spasmodics just free the colon from spasm which helps the normal passage of faecal matter [piristalsis] when the colon spasms its the nerves that produce pain not anything else so use the panacea of all ills paracetamol to help relieve it.
Hope your condition gets better.
I am also a very anxious/nervous person also, always have been. I only have to think about going to a strange place and i can feel my tummy getting spasms. followed my a trip to the toilet If i go on holiday i am always ill and get tummy upsets very easier, i just don't want to go anywhere any more i have had enough, its not fair on the person that goes with me who possibly want to explore. I divorced last year and since them i have been ill, always needing the toilet. My holiday to Egypt was spoilt because i couldn't go further than the pool because the toilet was nearby. It was all inclusive and i couldn't eat a thing the last 3 days but unbeknown to me i was drinking fizzy drinks to hydrate myself but this i know now made it worse. But the thought of a holiday makes me anxious. Relaxing and cutting out triggers for me is helping i am also taking Medeverine which i take 20 mins before a meal once a day is helping. I can't just switch a light on to relax, i wish i could, but i am thinking that my life is ruled by where i can find a toilet and this depresses me. I don't want to feel like this its not fair because i am such a fussy person esp with cleaning. And before anyone says its because i am too fussy, yes, i know but its too late so i have to get on with this IBS and just take each day at a time. It really helps reading this site because i am not the only one. My friends do not understand my partner does a little but still asks me if i want a cup of coffee forgetting i can't drink it. If it is any help my triggers are coffee,
Fizzy drinks esp coke cheap lemonade ok, white Bread, Nuts, pasta ok with wheat free, Spicy foods (tomatoes based or coriander with spices), Pork, Possibly red meats, Fried foods, Alcohol but ok with vodka and cheap lemonade and rose wine, Citrus juices. Hope this helps someone, becasue i feel my life is on hold because of this.
Im 15 and I have the stress of the exams and prelims coming up - i had a restless night and alot of homework to do over the past two weeks and going to school for some reason made me nervous as if the teachers would be angry at me for not doing the right homework that day I felt really ill and needed to use the loo alot - its so friggin annoying when you just want to have a normal life yet theres just that thing that nobody understands or does anything about holding you back. We are like our own little cult that doctors just diagnose then say goodbye. Life must go on and thankfully mine is caused mentally and its not as serious as other cases but after having this for about 4-5 years i've run out of patience and deciding to actually do somethin about it instead of just sayin it'll be fine tommorow then worrying even more about it.
This post has made me feel so much better, knowing that I am not the only one. I am 24 and have had IBS for 5 years, I have to go to the loo at least 3 times every morning and rely on loperimide to get me through the day.
over the last year I have stopped all my hobbys my partner has to walk the dog, the daily journey to work is a nightmare and trips out for the day or even a meal out is too much, I cant go anywhere for fear that I will feel ill and need the loo and in the end I worry so much I dont go out.
I have done and am doing hypnotherapy and it does help a bit,
It was good to hear that I am not alone and I hope the positive attitude will help but I am find ing it extremly difficult at the moment.
Love to everyone and thank you
Im so glad i've read all your comments. I was beginning to feel I was going mad. I also suffer with my nerves and am a anxious person and find when i am in a unfamilliar surroundings or get even slightly nervous about anything even silly things like going to the dentist or going out for a meal or out with friends. I get stomach cramps and then have to go to the loo and fast! I've recently started taking imodium and it seems to help,
I also find other triggers for me are any fatty melted cheese, coffee, tea if i have to much, or anything to heavy or rich.
Im 26 and I've been suffering on and off with IBS for the last 5years, but feel its got worse since having a baby a year ago, thought it might be where the baby squashes everything inside. But I also think your right about it all being in the mind too. I think the more you worry the worse IBS gets, until in the end it takes complete controll of your life.
My son is a year old now and I'm trying to put all my nervous engery in to him by, getting out the house and doing things i would usually be to worried to do incase i suddenly need to loo. Hopefully It helps, I am also going to try the antispasm pills too.