Don't want to drag this on so in a nutshell folks I was diagnosed with IBS yesterday after years of bad stomachs mainly due to stress.
Pain all over stomach, lower back pain, sore tensed neck & shoulders, heartburn & acid, flatulence, diahorea, headaches, feeling of total dread etc etc etc.
Off on holiday tomorrow to Italy with family & grandkids which should be a happy occasion but all I feel is the fear that I won't make the holiday, letting everyone down, being taken ill whilst I'm there etc etc etc, get it weeks before everytime I go away either by boat, car or plane then when I get to my destination it clears up within a day but believe me it's absolute sheer terror the day before I go on holiday.
Always suffered with stress unfortunately for years now which is probably why I also have psoriasis & AF. Doctor gave me sore buscopan, I've had 3 up to now & whilst it is a miniscule improvement it's not brilliant up to now, im also on omeprazole for psoriasis & bisoprolol for AF.
I've found that when im busy or occupied it's not so bad but when im alone with time to think it can be really bad & quite frightening.
If anyone in the same predicament could offer advice it would be much appreciated, many thanks.
Andrew.
Hi Andrew, yes distractions do help with symptoms of IBS. My suggestion is when you are having does pains to avoid fat. I take 40-45 gram of fat a day. Sometimes the body has got difficulty in digesting fat. Just a suggestion.
Hi Andy and I really feel for you as have had to cancel two holidays recently because of anxiety issues. My first thought if ever I'm invited anywhere is " I hope my stomach will be all right that day" - sometimes it is but not always. After 20+ years of many tests and different medications my doctor has just prescribed Nortriptyline which is marketed as an antidepressant but has been found to help with IBS too. I'm pleased to say that I've been taking it for nearly 2 weeks now (just 3x10mg. a day which is a fairly low dose) and so far have noticed a marked improvement - my stomach feels more settled than it has in years and I'm also sleeping better. The list of possible side-effects is quite alarming, but the only one I'm getting is a dry mouth which is easy to cope with. I wish you all the best and hope you're able to enjoy your holiday!
Thank you for that Carol but I definitely think most of my IBS is down to stress but i do take on board what you say, I am actually sitting here now waiting to be picked up at 2-30 am in the morning for the trip to the airport & I have stomach cramps, headache, neck & shoulder ache, sweats & feeling of panic, this condition really is horrendous, cheers Carol 👍
Thanks Rosalind, I will make the holiday tomorrow by hook or by crook but the anxiety is awful, just the thought of letting so many people down gives me some drive to have to make it but its bloody hard work, cheers, Andy 👍
Take your IBS medication with you on holiday. Knowing you have medication for a flare up will give you reassurance. Why are you on omeprazole for psoriasis? This medicarion is for heartburn and can cause itching. What is AF?
I am on omeprazole to combat the acid that you can get when you take bisoprolol which is a beta blocker used for AF Atrial fibrillation, a condition where you get fluctuating heart rythms and heart flutters, not deadly but bloody irritating but I am having an operation to combat the condition in October, it all adds to the stress Pippa which I think is 90% of the problem to be honest, you stress about the condition which makes the condition worse which makes the stress worse, its a vicious circle to be honest. taking my meds with me tomorrow on holiday which is a big reassurance agreed, thanks for your support Pippa...……..Andy.
If it's down to stress then you need to try distraction, meditation, relaxation egg. For the journey you could try an audio book.
As a side note, if you only get symptoms when stressed and are fine the rest if the time, then you don't have ibs- you have poor stress control
thanks for your reply Leeniepie its appreciated, my doctor has assured me its IBS which she says can come in all forms with each person handling it differently, it does calm down when im busy or occupied but its still there I assure you, wish it wasn't (lol). I admit that it is mostly down to stress & yes sometimes I struggle to cope but you are spot on when you suggest distraction/meditation techniques. thanks for your advice Leeniepie its much appreciated...…...Andy.
Hi Andy, I think you need to go away and enjoy yourself. Your holiday may make your health easier to cope with. Try to relax as much as you can take your medication and just enjoy yourself, if you find one day too much tell your family or whoever you're going with. I went away to Spain with family last summer the 1st abroad holiday we had. I took loads of medication and a blank prescription they could fill in if necessary. I only had 1 flare up that gave me the runs (I normally have IBS c), the heat triggered it and 1 lot of imodium instants shifted that. Good luck, tell us when you've got back having loved your holiday!
Dear Andy,
Watch your foods while on holiday.
Holidays usually does me good.
No stress.
Eating freedom is gone but google what triggers IBS.
I’m on mebeverine 135mg 3 times a day but I take it as it’s described.
Enjoy your trip and enjoy your grandkids as they’ll keep you so occupied you’ll forget but don’t stress or get frustrated.
Grandkids are the only joy they keep you occupied in their silly stories and fights.
Good luck. No stress no IBS!
I’m in Italy until September and have been there since the end of May. It should be completely stress free, but I have had to to contend with my dad, my sister in law and my Italian neighbour who are all extremely bossy. My IBS flared last year because of this bossiness and I ended up on Imodium because of three days of. diarrhoea. I have had to bring Imodium with me this time as a safety net. I haven't had any problems yet this time,, but my stools are loose which is a warning sign. My dad doesn’t take my concerns seriously so my stomach suffers instead because I feel I can't say anything.
The beach is definitely a great escape to get peace!
Best of luck with your holiday and your op.
Hi Andrew. I know your fears, I have them too. I’m too scared to be alone for long periods or travel because I worry I get sick and can’t cope. Here in Australia we have a drug called Colease- perhaps you can try that? Its an anti spasmodic. I also used lots of buscopan but this works better. Get yourself some peppermint tablets for IBS, they help. Also, try doing the low fodmap diet and see if it helps you.
I am exactly the same. The fear gives me full blown panic attacks. It fills my every thought all the time and is worse if I have to go away. We know that most of this is anxiety driven but it is a terrible circle. I too have IBS with D and it rules my life. You know you will be ok when you get there so just carry on and try and distract yourself. Easier said than done I know. People without IBS and anxiety don't understand the fear. They think you can just switch the thoughts off. Have a great holiday. All will be well..
Hello there. I live alone and I understand your fears. I have IBS-D and very acute anxiety. When I am here alone I am really anxious all the time. My first thought of the day is about whether I will have to rush to the toilet. If I do I am afraid for the rest of the day. Anxiety and IBS is a terrible thing because people do not understand the mental side of fear and IBS. They just say to stop thinking about it but my mind is stuck in a groove and I cannot distract myself.I used to travel all over the world on my own and now sometimes I am scared to go to the local shops. Are you like this? I know our thoughts play a big part in IBS.
Hi there. The GP's put IBS at their last diagnose. Like me diagnosed 40 years with IBS-C, Constipation. Did you know that there are further tests they can do. One of the main symptoms when Bile is not absorbed in the body enough it goes into the large intestine and as a result you have diareah. There are other things they can do. Of course you have anxiety with it all.