Try not to Google on the subject. My husband was having trouble walking on one leg. I looked the symptoms up and got really scared about what the problem could be. Turns out it was a temporary problem. And I suffered with anxiety for nothing. Maybe meditate, listen to music you love, watch funny Utube videos, talk a walk outside, read a book. And learn to live each day. One day at a time. It does help lessen anxiety about the future a bit. Look for an online support group specific to IBS. Good luck.

it is, indeed, a vicious cycle. i, too, find that IBS is the first anxiety symptom to present and the last symptom to give up its stranglehold, even when i can keep my health anxiety stable while i recover. health anxiety exacerbates the problem unmercifully. steadying support while you ride it out. it ain't the prettiest go-round in the amusement park.

for what it's worth
baby food is my go-to diet food when my IBS gets to weight loss intensity. it is solid nutrition in a convenient, easy to digest format. i keep some in my pantry, just in case. i especially like the cereals mixed with pureed fruit. i do a little happy dance when i discover the expiration dates have passed on my emergency supply. that means i've held steady for a goodly while.

Stop. Pause. Breathe. Repeat until calm and clear headed.

When you are experiencing a medical condition with associated anxiety, you will have to separate the 'feelings, words, thoughts' from the actual physical sensations. The brain and body are not in sync and to reset the switch for the brain takes you putting it back within a balance.

The goal is whatever you make it-and for each person, it's unique to the way the symptoms are affecting the ability to do normal daily living activities.

You are writing it out, which is important to building a bridge with the timeline of what happens when, where, who, what, and why and how.

Best wishes as you find your better balance naturally.

I'm only going having stool once or twice a day usually in the morning.. was more firm yesterday morning which I was excited about but then loose followed later. Also is it normal for your bum to be a little sore? Mine is and I get so worried about prolapse and stuff. Even though I'm 27

Thank you! I've been trying my best to stay off google. I've been watching YouTube videos on health anxiety tips.

yup, it's normal for my bum to be as sore as the episode. a little sore for a mild episode. allot sore for a harsh episode. in my case, the math isn't difficult. again, this discomfort finds me in the baby aisle. diaper rash ointment is scientifically designed for this very problem.

this problem started presenting when i was a child and i am 67 now. no prolapse yet, though i surely understand the worry. it sure feels like something meaner is going on. healing has happened in my case, but it still hurts like a father fuck.

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that it's normal. Definitely is reassuring!

Anytime you have a loose stool or go more frequently, even constipation, and cause soreness. Sometimes the things we eat can be the culprit too.

And I definitely do need to eat better as well. I don't eat much lately because I never seem to be hungry

Yesterday I had cheese ravioli and sauce, and then a midnight bowl of fruity pebbles cereal. Today I haven't had anything yet besides two cups of coffee

diet makes a huge diff in my own case. a machine needs quality fuel to run well. anxiety is just doing its job when it alerts me that the tank is empty. the quicker i salute, the quicker my anxiety stabilizes.

the less appetite i have, the more often i force myself to eat small quantities of high quality food often throughout the day. eating western sized portions is rough on my digestive tract when my IBS is flaring. more frequent and smaller quantities are my approach. during IBS flare ups, i carry little packets of baby food with me. the nutrition bars and drinks are too rich for my stomach during a flare up.

What foods should I try eating? I'm a small eater anyways. I don't have much of an appetite and I eat slow and small amount. I've also tried the ensure drinks and the Activia yogurt

Hi Tamaira,

I know several people with these problems you are describing.

Could you be lactose intolerant? You would have a reaction after eating the cheese, and that milk (for the cereal) that you wrote above. So many people I know can't digest dairy anymore.

I have to tell you that coffee is hard on the intestines.... just so you know. Most caffeine is (ice tea, etc).

You can try an IBS, or lactose-free diet (no dairy at all) for a few weeks, and see how you feel. And then you slowly introduce back one food at a time, see how you react to it.

You can ask your doctor for a referral to see a nutritionist. They can help you get your diet to be a little more healthy. You need to eat plenty of fiber, certain vegetables (but not all vegetables are easily digestible), drink plenty of plain water, etc.

Sometimes we need help with getting our diet back on track. You're going to be okay!

I've never had a problem with dairy before the IBS flare started two months ago. But I can definitely try cutting it out to see if it helps. I'll switch to almond milk. And I can cut down on the caffeine as well.