Hi!
I was just wondering if someone could enlighten me, I have some problems with anxiety and stress but have had stomach problems for a while. Its characterised by a stomach ache, mostly in the morning in the lower stomach, which improves are going to the toilet. Can also reoccur after eating, is this IBS? If so, what is the most effective over the counter medication I could get?
Thanks
my advice would be to dysy away from medication and try diet adjustments first. It sounds like constipation .
NIce guidance Dietary fibre may help with constipation but tends to generate gas, stimulate contractions and make pain, bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea worse. NICE clinical guideline 61 advises that fibre intake should be adjusted according to its effect and reduced if necessary. If you do increase your fibre intake, do so gradually, because any sudden increase may make symptoms worse. • For symptoms of constipation only, you could try wholegrains, along with fruit and vegetables, introducing no more than 1 extra portion over a 2 day period. • Oats and golden linseeds are good sources of soluble fibre, which help to soften the stool and make it easier to pass; they may also help with symptoms of wind and bloating. • Ensure a good fluid intake – at least 8 cups of non-caffeinated fluid a day. • If you wish to try ‘probiotics’ the notes under ‘symptoms of diarrhoea’ may be useful.
Golden linseeds Can be added to foods such as breakfast cereal, yoghurts or soups. If necessary, take up to 1 tablespoon a day. Give your bowels a few days to adjust to the effect. Remember to wash down the linseeds with plenty of non-caffeinated fluid, and to drink up to 8 cups of fluid a day.
I'll send the proper link but I think it will not get to you till its moderated
Hi thanks for your reply,
Dietry changes are going to be challenging for me, i am a student with very limited money but am just looking for some relief or confirmation that these symptoms are typical of IBS. Is there a name for the symptoms I am experiencing?
IBS is adiagnosis of exclsusion i.e after definable clinical causes have been excluded you are left with IBS. However you symptoms sound like constipation which is a symptom of IBS and there is a clear link to stress.
Drink lots of water, as much fruit as you can afford see if the doctor can prescribe golden linseeds., what are you doing about your anxiety
Ok thanks I will try. Anxiety is an ongoing thing, have had lots of different treatments and am in the process of writing my dissertation based on it. So with regards to that its under control-ish
If you have a chemist where you can speak to the pharmacist privately, such as Lloyds if you explain your problems they should be able to recommend something for you. Why won't you go to the doctor?
First thing in the morning could be to do with acid in the stomach. My GP picked up on this very quickly and prescribed me Omeprazole which are helping. I have similar symptoms and it turns out I have gallstones.
Before I was diagnosed with gallstones a GP thought it was either gallstones or IBS so the symtpoms are abviously similar.
My advice would be go to GP and get an ultrasound scan to see if it is gallstones.
Good luck with all this and hope it settles down.
Keep in touch
Sarah