IBS and Stress?

[AKL_Megs]

I've always thought I have IBS, although I have never had my symptoms diagnosed by a doctor. After last night, I think it is time.

Obviously, I can't get in until next week, but I would like to have some info going in.

My IBS is 100% triggered by stress. On Thursday night, I had one of the most stressful day at work that I can remember having in a long time. Sure enough, Friday afternoon, I got the ABSOLUTE worst case of IBS I have ever had. The pain was almost unbearable.

I have gotten it before after stressful life events, and during stressful times, like moving, on the first days of vacations, etc.

Can anyone tell me about medications that really work? Or, anything else that really works for you?

 

[Scurvy]

My Aunt has been having such severe problems lately that she can barely function - she can't really go anywhere because she knows she'll just end up stuck in a bathroom. She's been seeing all sorts of doctors and has had all kinds of tests. A couple of days ago she got her results back and they ruled out pretty much everything but IBS. Her gastrointerologist suggested that she try using probiotics like Activia. I have no idea if it will help her, but nothing else so far has and her doctor said some of his patients have great results with it. He also suggested that she be sure to stay very well hydrated. Apparently drinking lots of water really helps some IBS sufferers.

 

[hulagirl87]

I have IBS and it is definitely worse during stressful times. Though I don't find that medicine really works, sometimes Immodium helps temporarily. I have modified my diet a bit with adding more fiber. This helps me be more regular so I don't have the bouts so often. Nothing really helps with the stressful bouts though. That's just who I am

I would go to the doctor and let them know how you have been feeling. When I was diagnosed they told me to take Metamucil every day. I have never done that as it looks really gross. But that was also 15 years ago. I'm sure that there are some medications now that would really help. I guess that I have learned to live with it, so I don't really want to take a prescription if I don't need to.

Good luck

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

My grownup DD suffers from this. Although stress does play a part in it I suspect, so do some foods. On her own she's eliminated soda pop, chocolate in any form, onions (gassy foods?), rich foods (cream sauces?) & I forget what else from her diet. It does seem to help. She drinks lots of water too.

When she's having a problem, she quits eating until she can tell her system's settled down. She likes yogurt but doesn't see how people can eat the activia brand. She doesn't like the taste of it but does like other yogurts. Apparently you need to eat the kinds with active cultures in it to get the benefits.

The biggest benefit to her digestive system was getting a divorce from her ex. Life has been so much better for her & the kids since that happened!

Good luck, OP; I hope you will find some help for this problem.

 

[Iott Family]

Probiotics are a great thing! I get mine from GNC and I use their brand Ultra Probiotics Complex 50. I also eat soluble vs. insoluble fiber. For instance whole wheat pasta is soluble and popcorn would be an insoluble. Sipping on fennel or peppermint tea is also another great thing to calm down the intestinal aspasms that are causing the pain and cramping. I also eat lots of yogurt, cottage cheese and other high cultured dairy products. Try to avoid the fatty dairy though. Also, high acidy foods like tomatoes arent good while your system is in an uproars.

If you are sure that stress is your biggest trigger then why not try an anti anxiety med. Your doctor can recccomend one that is apprpriate to your needs.

There is also a great website helpforibs.com, I think?

 

[minkydog]

I was finally diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago, but I've had symptoms all my life. Stress is a huge trigger for me. Five years ago I was nursing my father through his last stand with lung cancer. It was a very challenging time for us all, but I got through it and handled everything very well. A week later I started having diarrhea and mild stomachache. It waxed and waned for awhile,but then it started happening all the time. I began to have pretty bad pain on my whole right flank. Of course, my first though was "Dear God, don't let me have colon cancer." I was 48, so it was a possibility. A colonoscopy cleared that up: it's IBS.

My doctor put me on some medicine for cramps and Benefiber to slow down the diarrhea, but I didn't stay on either for very long. just didn't like the way it made me feel. The thing that *did* help was getting some therapy and a good antidepressant. It doesn't do anything for pain, but it does help me handle stress better. Through therapy I have been able to identify stressors in my life and learn how to either eliminate them or modify them. It's been amazing to me how much that has helped. I still have bouts, and sometimes I'll be up and down half the night in the bathroom, but for the most part the IBS is well-controlled now.

Good luck to you. I know how miserable this condition can be.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I was finally diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago, but I've had symptoms all my life. Stress is a huge trigger for me. Five years ago I was nursing my father through his last stand with lung cancer. It was a very challenging time for us all, but I got through it and handled everything very well. A week later I started having diarrhea and mild stomachache. It waxed and waned for awhile,but then it started happening all the time. I began to have pretty bad pain on my whole right flank. Of course, my first though was "Dear God, don't let me have colon cancer." I was 48, so it was a possibility. A colonoscopy cleared that up: it's IBS.

My doctor put me on some medicine for cramps and Benefiber to slow down the diarrhea, but I didn't stay on either for very long. just didn't like the way it made me feel. The thing that *did* help was getting some therapy and a good antidepressant. It doesn't do anything for pain, but it does help me handle stress better. Through therapy I have been able to identify stressors in my life and learn how to either eliminate them or modify them. It's been amazing to me how much that has helped. I still have bouts, and sometimes I'll be up and down half the night in the bathroom, but for the most part the IBS is well-controlled now.

Good luck to you. I know how miserable this condition can be.

Probiotics are a great thing! I get mine from GNC and I use their brand Ultra Probiotics Complex 50. I also eat soluble vs. insoluble fiber. For instance whole wheat pasta is soluble and popcorn would be an insoluble. Sipping on fennel or peppermint tea is also another great thing to calm down the intestinal aspasms that are causing the pain and cramping. I also eat lots of yogurt, cottage cheese and other high cultured dairy products. Try to avoid the fatty dairy though. Also, high acidy foods like tomatoes arent good while your system is in an uproars.

If you are sure that stress is your biggest trigger then why not try an anti anxiety med. Your doctor can recccomend one that is apprpriate to your needs.

There is also a great website helpforibs.com, I think?

Thanks for the suggestions. I hate to think that I might have to go on an antianxiety med... I really don't feel "anxious", just stressed during stressful events! But I only get symptoms within the 24 hours after said stress.

Now I feel crazy or something!

 

[Kennywife]

Oh I hear ya about IBS. I have it and it is no fun! I always have to go to the bathroom, have eliminated most spicy foods (well, I do eat pizza sometimes, but then I pay for it), onions, and am cutting down on the pop.

I drink protein shakes due to my low nutrient absorption and take extra vitamins. Stress brings mine on. IO work at home to avoid as much as I can. When I get too bogged down, I take breaks. it helps.

Anna

 

[Robinrs]

I remember my gastroenterologist telling me that if they could disconnect the "wire" between the mind and the stomach, he'd be out of a job!

 

[Muushka]

I used to have IBS pretty bad several years back. The doc prescribed Bentyl for me. The drug worked well. My IBS was caused by certain foods and stress. Then I went on a 3 or so month drug study back in the late 90s. The study drug was supposed to help with symptoms as there was no cure. Low and behold after that study, I have had maybe 5 IBS symtoms in the past 12 or so years. I wish I knew what that drug was that they put me on. But at the time it was a secret.

 

[barkley]

my doctor prescribed hyoscyamine. it works well and quickly.

 

[Tiffany]

I've always thought I have IBS, although I have never had my symptoms diagnosed by a doctor. After last night, I think it is time.

Obviously, I can't get in until next week, but I would like to have some info going in.

My IBS is 100% triggered by stress. On Thursday night, I had one of the most stressful day at work that I can remember having in a long time. Sure enough, Friday afternoon, I got the ABSOLUTE worst case of IBS I have ever had. The pain was almost unbearable.

I have gotten it before after stressful life events, and during stressful times, like moving, on the first days of vacations, etc.

Can anyone tell me about medications that really work? Or, anything else that really works for you?

Hi,

I take Levbid for my IBS and it has worked very well, for me.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I had Ibs. Im better now. I gave up all soda and spicy food for a year and then slowly added it back. I was on bentyl for awile too. I lived on Bananas and those south beach diet tide me over type things.
Also visit IBSgroup.org. There a great bunch of people to be freinds with.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I have IBS, it sucks big time. Nothing like having cramps so bad you can't stand up straight and then having to restrain a violent kid.

I've eliminated all artificial sweeteners. I have the alternating constipation/diarrhea variety. To help with the diarrhea I take a drug called Xifaxan. It is actually a low dose antibiotic. My doctor told me that they have found that people with IBS often times have an unbalance of the good bacteria in their gut. This antibiotic helps bring that bacteria into balance. This has definitely decreased the diarrhea. Then to help with the constipation I take Benefiber with every meal.

For the times when I get cramps my doc has prescribed dallartan- it's a combo of belladonna and phenobarbitol. I just got it and only take it when I get cramps, but so far it seems to give me at least some relief.

 

[MIGrandma]

I've had problems for over 10 years, about a year ago my doctor said it was "probably" IBS and put me on Bentyl. It helped with the frequency, but I felt dizzy and woozy every time I took a pill (4x daily).

I joined an on-line IBS support group and from what I learned there I decided to try something on my own. Eliminate wheat gluten from my diet. Within 2 weeks there was a HUGE difference.

If I stick to "no wheat" eating I don't have problems. I "go" once or twice in the morning (and "normal" BM's or very close to it) and I'm done for the day.

If I eat something that has wheat in it, I generally "pay for it" the next day.

It's wonderful to be able to be out and about during the day and not worry so much about needing to know exactly where the bathroom is at every place I go, and my stomach doesn't rumble and grumble much at all anymore.

So, to anyone suffering from IBS I strongly suggest eliminating wheat from your diet and see what happens. You may just find your cure like I did.

 

[disneybound2010]

my doctor prescribed hyoscyamine. it works well and quickly.

I think you are the only other person besides myself that knows what this is! Even the ER drs have to question me about it.


I've had IBS since I was a child, but wasnt diagnosed until 2003,after spending a full month in the hospital and another six months back and forth to Hopkins. They truly had no idea what it could be. It isn't fun,but if you can get a good Dr.(mine understood,because he had IBS) they will work with you to find what meds work best for you.

For me, I ended up having to leave the job I was in(nursing home) because that much stress...it was such an awful atmosphere...was killing me. Since I have been away from there,my flare ups have been far less. Every now and again, I will have an attack that can't be controlled,but overall, they are down to almost nothing.

 

[JESW]

Probiotics - the kind that need to be kept in the 'fridge.

I now take IC Chlordiazepoxide (generic of Librax) and it works real well for me!

If we are going out to dinner and I am nervous about having an attack I take Imodium dm.

Jill

 

[barkley]

I think you are the only other person besides myself that knows what this is! Even the ER drs have to question me about it.


I've had IBS since I was a child, but wasnt diagnosed until 2003,after spending a full month in the hospital and another six months back and forth to Hopkins. They truly had no idea what it could be. It isn't fun,but if you can get a good Dr.(mine understood,because he had IBS) they will work with you to find what meds work best for you.

For me, I ended up having to leave the job I was in(nursing home) because that much stress...it was such an awful atmosphere...was killing me. Since I have been away from there,my flare ups have been far less. Every now and again, I will have an attack that can't be controlled,but overall, they are down to almost nothing.

it's worked great for me. very quickly and gentle.

with my ibs it def. can be triggered by stress, but it can happen out of the blue.

we refer to to this as one of my 'american express' meds-never leave home without it

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

i have had colitis for 17 years- dx'd in high school- fun! rite now im on imuran- a maintenace drug to control flares, and have been on prednisone off and on since first dx. i loathe steroids and all the symptoms(weight gain, acne, insomnia, belly pains, etc etfc etc. ) stress cases almost all my falres and i only say almost because one was due to norwalk a few years ago that just killed my guts. rite now im in one due to stress related to guiding! aafter speaking to my specialist again this week, she wants to up the prednisone, so i went to an all nautral food store after hearing somewhere that pepermint oil helps to soothe your intestines. im on day three, and havent had the big d since the day before i started. the only issue i have with the peppermint pills is it gives me bad heartburn even tho im on prevacid to control it.

i also drink loads of water- the only time im on pop is if im out for dinner or at at the world! i also avoid spicy foods, as everything seems ten times spicier to me from my tastebuds to my rear. lol. also sleep is a big thing- if i dont get enough i tend to flare, and if youre passing blood you might want to get you iron(hemoglobin) checked. i was anemic for years and am still on iron tablets. this will also tend to make you tired and worn down too.

good luck!