[Guest]

hey y'all well i have noticed that my pattern w/ this ibs is that whenever i keep myself busy (goin out, staying w/ friends) i am alrite and my ibs is not there to bug me, but then when im alone and bored and just sitting there it comes back to haunt me...what is up with that? does any1 else experience the same thing i do? also, sushi is the worst food for me i think, i've been seeing whether it is or not, but sometimes it just depends on the day...i hate how ibs is so confusing, and i wish it would just go away!!!

 

[dtp]

Hey There GirlieGirl:It's widely accepted, even among the most analytic of western physicians that a huge component of IBS results from the brain-gut (or mind-gut if you prefer) interaction. So it's quite possible that the reason you experience IBS attacks when you are alone and bored is that it is at these times that you are most likely to dwell on your symptoms (or other anxiety provoking thoughts). On the other hand, when you keep busy you will be much less likely to get obsessed with these types of thoughts; you simply don't have the time. Gastron

 

[Guest]

Thanks Guston...so, i guess ibs is partly due to the mind, but its not all 100% a psychological thing? Maybe i should stay busy all the time! haha

 

[Guest]

hey gastron- thanks for the reply. so i guess ibs is partially a psychological thing, but not 100%? maybe i should stay busy all the time...hahaah

 

[RMCCLOWRY]

I experience the same thing. At times, when I am having a great time with friends, things that would normally cause me stomach problems do not.I am almost normal at times when I'm having a lot of fun or excitment.My doctor says the probable reason is that my brain is producing more endorphines when I am excited and having a great time. The endorphines are just like morphine, except that they are even more powerful than morphine, and non-addictive. That causes the stomach/digestive process to slow down, and spasms stop. The effect may last for a day or two. When the endorphines wear off, back to IBS! Another factor may be that your mind is too occupied to think of the pain. (The idle mind is the devils playground.)Lots of times when I feel really rotten, I'll go to an amusement park with my friends, and I feel much better. So if you can force yourself to do go out and do things that really excite you, you might make yourself feel better in the process.Supposedly, certain antidepressants (esp. trycyclics) will stimulate the production of endorphines, which is why they often work in controlling IBS and with chronic pain. Also, aerobic exercise for 20 minutes or more also causes endorphines to be produced. So, forcing yourself to do some very low impact aerobic exercises may be of help. (I learned this at a hospital pain program I attended recently.)