Anxiety affects my IBS

Yeah my mental state and lifestyle have big affect on my gut. It was hard enough accepting i had a mental disorder. But i had to face the gut problem head, no option.
I even resorted to a vegan diet. No meat or dairy.

I've never been formally diagnosed with IBS. I guess I'm just sick of adding to my collection of diagnosis. I do get horrible gastrointestinal problems when I I'm stressed out or anxious. Diarrhea, gas, burping, all that fun stuff. It's directly related to my state of mind.

I thought I would like to see if anyone else has IBS because supposedly it is quite common in adults.

Mine only really became a problem about five years ago.

I told a workmate I must be intolerant to dairy, and I was going through a crisis and said that alcohol didn't agree with me because I had read an article in a celeb mag about a model with bi polar symptoms who had to avoid drinking.

It was an embarrassing realisation as I had started to suffer from bad wind. Sorry, I will try and not get too technical or close to bone. But it basically smelt real terrible. I had joined a gym class and I think they must have noticed, and I quit.

When in hospital, one of the nurses was a proper "bit$h" and when my parents brought me a curry pot noodle (which for the record does nothing to my digestive system thankfully) she went "oof that is not going to help" so it was now common knowledge I was suffering from spells of wind. Even though I can only think of a handful of incidents it may have occurred at work.

After being so constipated my bowels nearly burst, I started to pay attention to what might be triggering it. I had a massive meltdown and the IBS just seemed to coincide with it.

It wasn't difficult to find the culprits, only a few things. The nurse I spoke to was surprised I could eat beans, spices, chilli, and greens no bother at all. They couldn't explain why it was these particular foods, which annoys me as when I tell people I just have to say it must be the way it is processed or a certain chemical/acid etc.

I am lucky that my bowels do not really speed up. In the past I have had that when I have been really nervous. I just mainly get the constipation.

There is meant to be a strong link between the gut and brain like when you are anxious.

I hadn't been looking after myself, and depression slows down the breakdown of food for some. So I had a long learning curve, trying to get my body back to a healthy state. I got an Aenima, and was given senna and two girls thought it was my methadone !

So if I have an interview in future I will be taking Valium the day before to calm me down, so my abused guts don't play up.

I have read of people with IBS who are too afraid to leave the house and I wonder why the doctors have failed to identify the triggers.

I am going to buy a kit where I can take a test when I get money. I only saw the nurse a few times as the advice was minimal - fibre. That was about it.

Sounds like you have IBS-C (Ibs constipation). I have IBS-D which is well, the opposite. Anxiety very much is a trigger for me. When I’m stuck in traffic I get nervous and my stomach starts to turn. Long road trips also freak me out because I’m worried about where the nearest bathroom is. I’m 30 and have had this since I was about 10. I had to constantly drink Pepto all day. It sucked. But yea anxiety most definitely plays a roll for some people.

Hi Guy`s & OP .

We are "talking about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and not Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Syndrome as it is commonly referred to and what the mistaken nomenclature.

If you just have an irritable bowel , being constipated is one of the worst things in the world , I know.

Sometimes you must do the unmentionable thing , just to avoid a rectal prolapse.

RP`s sux , I have suffered from 2 and recovered on my own , for a doctor would have done noting that common sense and a slight knowledge of physiology could not fix.
The fix was not easy , but I healed , and now I have to be careful.

And take whatever mens necessary to avoid another rectal prolapse.

Good luck to all with IBS-C , I know what a PITA it is !!

Take care

Keyplayer. 

Hi SR ,

I have been diagnosed with IBS , but I still eat what I want , I just have to be aware of my bowels and not get C`d

That just sux !!

Yeh , pizza / ice cream / alcohol it does not hurt like it used to , the meds I take for anxiety are supposed to help with IBS as well , so I guess they are still working !!

Take care ,

KP. 

Yes I am more or less in same boat. I dink tea, coffee, coke and alcohol and I am fine. I eat cheese till it comes out my ears. As long as I don't drink on an empty stomach.