Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

Hi, sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I too suffer from both anxiety & IBS. I do believe they go hand in hand. I have IBS/C so I know how miserable that can be. The dr is trying to figure out a med for me that helps both anxiety & IBS. Everybody is different, but there is a med that will work for you.

I've just determined that I think I also have IBS due to anxiety.. I have triggers like ice cream, onions, chinese food. I usually have really bad stomach cramping and what feels like gas stuck right below my rib cage. Does this sound like IBS? Anyways.. my flareups always happen at night before I go to bed.

I've tried to meditate to get my mind off of it which helps a little but once I'm done, the stomach cramping kinda creeps back up. The more I think about it the worse it gets.

I would like to try some herbal teas though. I know Yogi tea makes one called Stomach Ease. I'm going to try it out next...

I am sorry you are having these problems with the anxiety. As severe as yours seems to be, seeing a psychiatrist might be the best thing you can do. They can not only adjust your medications, but give you techniques and exercises for you to try and decrease your anxiety. Any anxiety at all is going to tear any medical condition apart.. including allergies. Have you tried taking anti-depressants or something like Ativan (Lorazepam)? Anti-depressants can help you to control those anxiety moments, and Ativan just helps to keep you calm. I hope you are able to find the help that you need to get everything under control.

Hi Sixtyten, Can I suggest you see your doctor if you get pain under your ribcage, especially if it is on the right side, because that may be linked to gall stones....

I had that and my gall bladder removed. It didn't improve my IBS any though but did stop the pain under my ribs.

I get anxious and my IBS is dreadful, so I try to do something to take my mind off it. Something totally related, read a book, go to the cinema etc.. It is not easy but it can work.

Hope this helps

Gillian

Sorry...I meant to say ' totally unrelated' ...not related..

Also I am on Prothiaden - or (Dosulepin) for my anxiety which helps I think.

I think Paxil really helps with anxiety. Ask your doc.
all the best!
hugs,
karen

For all IBS symptoms, I'm finding that Heather's help-for-ibs products really really help. The best one is "heather's tummy fibre", which is soluble fibre made from acacia. Anything with psyllium just made be 10X worse. This is "friendly" fibre, and it makes life a lot more pleasant. Also, try sucking on fennel seeds (as they soften the juice comes out) when you feel gassy/bloated. They are great.
God Bless!!
karen

I started getting anxiety with IBS after menopause. I've always had a sensitive stomach and have been a little nervous. But for some reason I started having anxiety/panic attacks every time I left the house, even to go to the store. And the minute I felt the anxiety starting, my stomach would cramp up and I would have to go the the bathroom urgently! I used to drive my husband crazy. Sometimes he would have to stop for me four or five times trying to get somewhere. There was never any rational reason to be the anxious about doing every day errands. If we were going anywhere new or meeting new people, we would be late because of my IBS. You get the picture. So I went to the DR. and she gave me Effexor , and it seems to have helped quite a bit. At least I can do normal things without freaking out about finding a bathroom the minute I get there. ITs not completely gone, and I plan on upping the dose the next time I see her, but it has definately helped me. You are not alone!!

I have IBS anxiety and panic disorder which is sometimes elevated to clinical depression. I know what you mean when you think that anxiety makes your iBS worse or they are playing into one another. The things is, when you worry, you irritate your gut which in turn makes it lash out at which point your anxiety flares up and it all turns into a downward spiral of anxiety, IBS, etc, etc.
I personally can't take medication (especially antidepressants). My phobias are centralized around my mental well being and taking drugs which alter my moods--for lack of a better phrase, freak me the hell out!
I am very sensitive about my mood balance like you are, I can't get too excited, can't be too relaxed. I can't even take tylenol because it makes me drowsy and that isn't "normal".
And seeing a psychiatrist is a BAD idea. Trust me. I went to see one and was in for a full day diagnosis. It was AWFUL. They asked me so many questions like, "Have you thought of harming your self or had thoughts of harming others?" which just set off my anxiety.
What I have done for myself to ease my IBS and anxiety is learn about vitamins, herbs and supplements. What I have concluded from my research is that your healing process is your own. You know how you feel, what irritates you and your gut and makes you feel imbalanced. Trying to reinterpret that to another person and have them treat you is difficult, but not entirely impossible.
I recommend seeing a naturopathic doctor and a nutritionist. Between the both of them they can give you a series of healthy and healing options that will work with you, rather than medication that will sedate you or irritate you more.
Right now I am taking L-Glutamine (an amino acid) which heals the intestines and calms the gut, gives you energy and mental clarity. As well as a series of other vitamins which all work in balance to keep me healthy and in line.
Just research your options first.

Hello, I too have IBS and I think it has really hit me hard this passed few months.
Anxiety has really hit me, Its so bad this time that every time I do anything to raise my heart rate I seem to panic!! Walking, going up the stairs, shopping, anything to make my heart rate elavate.
Now even when I am sitting watching the TV, my heart rate will be normal, but then I am constantly feeling it in my chest, getting so bad its staring to freek me out.
This time it all started one day when I decided to get fit, i went to the garage to lift some small weights to get back into fitness again, I was fine untill I walked up the stairs and then had a bad attack, then a few days after I walked the dog, and then the same, a bad atack.
Now, ever time I do anything to raise my pulse, it sets me off.
I dont take any meds as they all seem to make me alot worse.
I am also suffering bad with the shakes and constipation, and nearly getting sick, maybe bringing up a small bit, and feeling nausia. I have also lost about 2 stone, I think I needed to, as I have not been eating as much as I did before this.

Will I ever be able to do exercise again, or just walk the dog, go to the shops???
Is this all because of IBS?

help! :-(

paul.