[Guest]

I think one of my biggest problems could be anxiety. I get nervous over the SMALLEST things and i dont know why. I always remembered all through high school (no ibs) everytime i haad to give a persentation, i ALWAYS got a stomach ache and then quick D. I get nervous when i just THINK about the day (if i am going somewhere really fun and im excited i my heart pounds and i get stoamch aches) i was wondering if it would be possible that a drug for anxiety would possible help my ibs??? since i only get the aches when i THINK about them..making me more calm should help???

 

[JimGym]

Ski, I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. I was the SAME way in college, although it wasnt till years later that they had a name for what I had <IBS>. MY IBS is directly related to my anxieties, stress and the way I handle life <which at one time was very poor> As for the drugs for anxiety, you must realize that many of them carry side effects, and as with any drug for a non physical problem, you are treating the symptoms rather than getting at the cause. I myself was prescribed drugs over the years for this but I refused to take them for I was afraid of it messing up the chemical balance in my brain cells; either temporarily or permanently. The only way for me was to get some good therapy to root out the CAUSE rather than just treating the symptoms. As with IBS, there are no magic pills to cure or stop it. I have gotten to a place where I have control over much of my symptoms, made some life changes, and deal more effectively with my stress and anxieties! I get nervous when i just THINK about the day (if i am going somewhere really fun and im excited i my heart pounds and i get stoamch aches)

What you described is called anticipatory anxiety. YOu get all in a flutter over the *thought* of something that HASN'T even happened yet, which triggers a bout of IBS. Been there, had it! Get to the root of WHY you get like that, not when or how. Once you understand the why's you can change your behavior and thus STOP the IBS attacks. You take control of how you react to life. You'll be amazed how much you CAN do to stop the anxiety and take control of your life. GOOD Luck Jim

------------------OF all the Divine qualities, the GREATEST of those is COMPASSION and TRIUMPH of the human spirit!!

 

[Guest]

Excellent advice from Jim. Finding ways to stay calm help me so much. And finding out why I am not calm to begin with really helps.Good luck to you . And please keep us posted.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

 

[Jan8]

Sky I am just the same although back in younger days I was C in my 20's changed to D. after child birth ? hormone change.How strange we are.Going out to work or infact at any time when I feel I will not be in control I get so up tight, because of the IBS, would be wonderful if I could get on top of it.It is anxiety > IBS and IBS > anxiety, over and over again.JimMay have a go with your thoughts, just about the only thing I have not tried. Drugs are not for me either.Anxiety+++ Jan8

 

[Rachel]

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[badfoot]

There have been numerous articles on anxiety and IBS; it seems pretty certain that IBS can cause anxiety and that anxiety makes IBS worse. In some cases, I think, clearing up anxiety has cleared up IBS symptoms. EMPHASIS on SOME cases. Anyone with IBS has a certain amount of anxiety. I've used antidepressants, therapy, hypnotherapy tapes (relaxation), yoga, meditation etc. I have severe IBS C-D, and relaxation makes me feel better. That said, none of the above have effectively helped with my particular IBS, but I know that many people have had success with one or more of these treatments. If you do try medication, I strongly urge to try some kind of therapy along with it. Most psychiatrists agree that drugs and therapy together are more effective than either one alone. Best of luck.

 

[Guest]

Ski, I surely can relate to what you are saying. I can remember being a axious child and when I would get nervous, the D would hit me and it is still the same today. When I was 16 they diagnosed me with a nervous stomach and dr told me if i didn't quit worrying about everything i would end up with ulcers. When I was 24, I had the ulcers. To this day, if I get axious or really worried about something I will have to run to the bathroom. I noticed my problems got worse last fall when my mother-in-law was in hospital dying of cancer and then the same time my mom had to go into nursing home. It seemed to clear up after about 6 wks. I had my gallbladder cked, and they did a bunch of blood work and then wanted to do colon test, but i was feeling better and backed out only to have it hit me hard again about 6 wks ago. Dr pretty sure it is IBS because of my history, but wants to do sigmoidoscopy first. I have that tomorrow. Nervous!!!! It seems a vicious circle, Ski, anxiety and then ibs. Good luck to you!!! The therapy IS probably a good idea. I had never thought of that. My primary phys put me on Zanax, but I have not taken much, because afraid of the addiction facter. See something else for me to worry about.

 

[TERIO]

I have read a bunch of books on panic attacks, I know that our IBS panic is different, but, the advise they give in those books do help, me anyway. Feel the Fear and do it anyway, is a good book. I forgot the author, but it helped alot. You have to try stopping the negative thinking (oh there are books on that too, helpful) and try to replace with positive, I know that's hard after having this for so long, we are conditioned, but I figure if the brain can be conditioned one way, it can be conditioned another. Takes time and work. GoodLuck Terio

 

[LisaNZ]

Hello,I suffer from alot of emotional problems, I dont know if they started first or the IBS but I'm going to counselling first time tomorrow so hopefully that will help.Whenever I get stressed, depressed, nervous, anxious, worried etc I get D... without fail.... I hate it and that makes me more stressed, depressed etc!!My GP wont give me any medication for the emotional problems as they wont fix it, just mask it for a while and so many are addictive. I know i'd be addicted in 5 mins as I take Bentyl nearly every night to calm my insides down to stop the spasms and cramps and it also calms my mind down. I have to get off the Bentyl soon as I feel I have to have it every night now.

 

[Guest]

I hear ya! I live with anxiety - sometimes I feel like it's with me all of the time except when I'm sleeping. It's to the point now that I get anxious just preparing a meal for my hubby and daughter. I am no longer able to prepare holiday meals at all... just can't handle it.

 

[LALA]

Many people have had much success with antidepressants that also help with anxiety. I can tell you from experience, Serzone has been a lifesaver foe me. Yes, I still have IBS, but no, I dont fret over it. I dont worry about it days in advance. I live like a normal person, and handle my IBS like a regular person would. I am not a drug pusher, but I am telling you this drug has saved my life.LALA