Hello! After some advice! I have been told I have stress related IBS! I've had a flex sigmoidoscopy and adominal ct scan all came back clear! My main problem is I never feel empty! Take this morning for instance I have already been for 4 bowel movements and it's only 12pm! Started off 'normal' then each one is getting looser, I started off today feeling ok! But after the 3rd trip to the loo my anxiety creeps in the stomach noises/rumbles happen I have horrid cold shivery feelings all over, I have to go again! This time more looser, I know my anxiety isn't helping but it's the amount times I have to go that make me anxious! This morning when I woke I felt absolutely ok!?? And now I feel like I can take leave the house as I'm honestly stuck to the loo, each time I get off I immediately feel in need to go again!! Does anyone else suffer like this and if so how do you control your anxiety? / stop needing the loo! Xx
Try imodium which will help with loose stools or diarrhoea. Codeine can also work. You could also try rice or bananas to bind you up. Once you control your bowel movements, your anxiety will clear up. I had IBS D last year for three days but it didn’t make me anxious. I continued going out and did all the things I usually do. Codeine helped to slow down the diarrhoea but Imodium after each meal completely stopped it. I stopped fruit for week and gradually reintroduced it once my bowel had settled down.
Since my diagnosis, I no longer worry about my IBS; I have learned and accepted that it is now part of my life. I treat my flare ups as soon as they start and my symptoms clear up. Knowing I have medication to hand, stops me worrying. I have a very stress free life which also helps. I try to keep up a good sense of humour no matter what annoys or stresses me.
Hi Pippa, I really admire you! It takes over me when I have days like today where I can't get off the loo! I keep worrying 'what if I was at work 'or 'what if I was out with friends', I know worrying doesn't help but I don't know how to stop it! I've just been Again so now I have an incredibly sore bottom (sorry if tmi) and my anxiety is horrendous which I know doesn't help!! I'm at home son it stresses out this going to loo all the time is what is stressing me out!!! I can't get hold of codiene as I think can only get on prescription! I have just taken some Imodium! 2 for now, suppose 2 more if I have to go again! Xx
You could ask your doctor for codeine if you need it; but Imodium should do the trick. Thanks for the compliments.
Flik
People are not restricted to one visit a day to empty their bowels, generally people may go several times a day.
The actual emptying your bowels can be habit forming, if your system anticipates three, or four visits, that will be your bodies anticipation and you will keep following that pathway.
In the West we pass firm to hard stools, it is all to do with diet, In third world countries their stools are more natural and the stools are softer, this is why when we travel our body functions are put out of kilter. However in this case you mention soft stools as the day goes on. If this is the case you may be forcing yourself to go to the toilet and the quantity of stool will be less and look loose, this will be down to quantity. It would seem your Anxiety is causing you to visit the toilet when the need is the habit.
You could try training yourself to go to the toilet less during the day, however understand some people may wish to visit two/three times a day depending on a need.
BOB
Ok! I might just do that, I can't keep on like this! I've taken Imodium and had to go again! I'm so down with all this, I've tried talking to the doctors and all I get back is, you're bowel is clear from the tests I've had!! Just don't know what to do really 😞 Xx
Sounds like you’re having a gruesome day, but I totally agree with Pippa that Immodium wil ( sooner or later) settle things down. Prior to my diagnosis with IBS I was very similar to you. It had reached the point where I was afraid to go out of the house in case I needed the loo urgently. My GP recommended a combination of Immodium and the Low Fodmap diet - and that has brought about a massive improvement. 2 years on I do still get occasional flare ups but I know things will improve so my anxiety and strss levels don’t get out of control.
It is worth trying the Low Fodmap diet, if you haven’t already, and maybe see your GP about treatment to help deal with anxiety? Of course, you might have a tummy bug - there are lots around at the moment, and sometimes we just assume it’s an IBS problem when actually it’s a bug. Keep hydrated, and I hope you’re feeling better soon.
Jan
Hi Bob, thank you for your response, what you say totally makes sense! I don't feel like I'm forcing myself to go to the loo, the urge and sensations are very real! But I also appreciate my anxiety could be doing that! I'm intrigued, how do I train myself to go to the toilet less?? Xx
Hi Jan ! Ha awful day, for what is supposed to be relaxing day at home! I don't think it's a bug, I had that a few weeks ago and today in myself I don't feel poorly just extremely anxious ( shivery, cold, worried!!) Won't my body get used to Imodium if I take it regularly? And then not work? I appreciate I only take it days I need to, but I constantly worry if I take it what if my body gets used to it and then won't work!! Like antibiotocsni suppose!! I'm already on anti depressants have been for 18months, they don't seem to work when I get anxious like today but have helped me for other days! Over the past 18months I've been altering my diet to try and find triggers, milk and cream is one so I avoid them! Maybe the low fodmap I should do I do have a book on it as I was going to try it a year ago!! Xx
Anxiety can also you to run to the loo a lot. There is a technique called biofeedback which helps you to control anxiety and bowel movements. Perhaps ask your doctor about that.
That is what used to happen to me nearly all the time. It still does from time to time, but not so often.
I used to have to get up 2-3 hours earlier if I needed to be somewhere so I could fit in all the toilet trips to 'empty' myself out. It was so frustrating and I envied my partner who could just go in and out within 5 minutes and be done until the evening.
Here are few pointers that may be useful.
1. Speak to the Dr about biofeedback loops. The body has a system for eliminating stools and we sometimes over complicate it. I once got so mad with what was happening and angry I was letting it rule my life that one day I went to the toilet once and just left the house in a mood. I actually didn't need to go again straight away and although I felt uncomfortable, I managed a few hours without having to dash off to the toilet. I've used this 'inner-strength' (or anger! LOL) a few times and it seems to work. This was the first step in me creating new feedback loops. I've since spoken to a Dr about it and researched it to get more information.
2. Keep a food diary. I've had to reshuffle my eating habits a little. I went heavily plant-based and cut out all meats, which naturally increased my fibre. This didn't agree with my stomach and IBS so I've had to cut back on the fibre a little.
3. Sometimes, the 'unhealthier' foods are better. I react better to white bread than I do wholemeal. Salads are a complete no-go for me. I've learned to suss out what foods suit.
4. Toilet and get off. I spent a while on the loo so I didn't have to get back on it, but that wasn't the best move. Do your thing, clean up (bath if that makes you feel cleaner) and crack on with your day. Again, this helps with your biofeedback loop and creates good habits.
Hope this helps.
Thank you Tim that's amazing help there, I get sooo fed up of this ruling my life, I'm already debating with myself whether to go to a yoga class tonight! When I feel ok I really enjoy it but when I'm like I Am now I can't think of anything worse! I will persist with fighting this and hopefully go! After all there is a toilet there!! 🙈 I'm going to look into this biofeedback, I've not heard of it before and you're the second person today to mention it! I have done food diaries in the past but got quite obsessed with it and ended up making myself worse! I agree with you white bread over whole meal, no dairy! Suppose I should go back to the diary and try not to obsess about it! Xx
Thanks Pippa, I'm going to look into biofeedback! Also I'm going to go back to keeping a food diary, some days I'm ok and then I'll have days like today! Hoping it doesn't carry on tomorrow, I have work!! Xx
Take Imodium before going to work and bring it to your office in case you need to potion yourself at work.
Is it ok to take Imodium regularly? Xx
I head about biofeedback from an IBS booklet I bought at my chemist.
You can take Imodium regularly. Sometimes with regular use you have to take more of them to make them effective. However, if you get constipated, come off them and try prune juice or oranges.
Hi Pippa! So I've discovered if I take Imodium on my bad days it helps me the next day (I kinda feel normal) but then by the day after, when it wears off,I'm back to square one! Bloated, gurgling stomach noises and constantly on the loo as if I am making up for not going much the previous day! I hate this so much, its as though we get teased with how how it feels to be ok! Then wham payback for that one day the next!! Xx
Try avioding foods that have insoluable fibre and stick to soluable fibre. Insoluable fibre can be bad for IBS D.
Flik
Just make a time/times during the day, keep at those times if you go or not. However it is best you keep going at a time that you go to each day. The body will learn the regular time periods
BOB