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I have IBS Scared to death

Posted , 3 users are following.

ricksbiz51
ricksbiz51

Hello fellow sufferers, I have had IBS most of my life and it sucks.  I have not worked for almost 2 years now dealing with other family illnesses but it is time for me to go back.  I'm scared to death, heavy anxiety about interveiwing and being uncomfortable if I do get a job. I have taken several medications over the years some more effective than others.  My symptons are not that severe. I would say I have C and my stomach chatters all the time. I have not tried therapy in years but I am going to start in January.  So too the point my anxiety is off the chart any recomendations on therapy approach or anxiety relief.  I wish I could be free of all this. Help?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • tom1980
    tom1980 ricksbiz51

    Posted

    Hi there

    Sorry to hear you're suffering.  I have had IBS for years and I'm pretty sure anxiety has a lot to do with my problems, as I have tried various diets (wheat / gluten / alcohol free, FODMAP etc) and food diaries etc and nothing seems to work. I'm definitely prone to stress and anxiety and I think it is getting worse as I get older (I'm 36).  Noone seems to notice (not even my girlfriend), but I often have butterflies in my stomach and feel stressed for no reason.  I work from home, alone, which doesn't help as I have no social distractions.  

    The pain I have is in my stomach and back when I wake up, which often wakes me up during the night.  It does get better through the day, then repeats.  Like you my synptoms aren't severe enough that I can't live my life, but they are very tiring and can be depressing.  Here are a few suggestions which do help my symptoms - I'm sorry if these are obvious but they do help.

    - Exercise.  I'd suggest swimming as it's low-impact exercise which is good for the whole body. My mood improves after a session and stomach pain lessens.

    - Limit drinking.  Believe it or not, sometimes 1 or 2 drinks actually help my symptoms - I wake up in the morning in less pain!  I'm not sure why this is.  However try not to get drunk.  We all know that one drink can easily lead to another, then another, especially if you're prone to anxiety.  If I get drunk (over 4 drinks in one sitting) I feel OK the next day, but the day after that my IBS flares up, Im tired, anxious, irritable, you name it.  It often takes me days to recover.

    - Deep breathing.  No pressure to meditate or do any special course, just sitting for 5-10 minutes breathing slowly and deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth usually settles my stomach.  I can often feel it gently grumbling (in a good way - if that makes sense!)     

    -Mint.  I sometimes chew gum which probably isn't a good idea as it creates gas, but buy some mints, preferably sugar free ones - and suck on one when your symptoms are bad.  This often helps my cramps.  People say peppermint tea helps - I've not noticed this so much but give it a try.

    Good luck and let me know if any of these things help!

    ?Tom

    • ricksbiz51
      ricksbiz51 tom1980

      Posted

      Thanks Tom,

      I have started exercising which does help.  I have done some relaxation training a very long time ago. I don't know if it helped or not the breathing does help on a short term basis.  I am going to try some therapy hoping for some kind of medication besides what I am already taking.  A miracle drug ha ha ha. I'm sure you and everyone on here know better.  I hate my stomach and the way I feel.  Thanks for responding

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 ricksbiz51

    Posted

    I would avoid taking anthing that is sugar free because sugar free products contain artificial sweetners which are often bad for IBS.   For therapy you could ask about gut targeted hypnosis.
  • tom1980
    tom1980 ricksbiz51

    Posted

    I didn't know this about artificial sweeteners.  I'm sure full-sugarmints would help my stomach too then.  I was just thinking about my teeth!

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