1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS causing horrible anxiety

Posted , 8 users are following.

elishia27603
elishia27603

Hi all,

I've never written on a forum before, but i've been having a very tough time, so I decided to give it a shot. I've had IBS symptoms for many years, but just recently started taking medication for it (10mg Dicyclomine). The main issue I am having is that my anxiety gets so high when i'm driving or when I'm in a place that i'm not comfortable using the bath room, that it is very much interfering with my life. I just started taking a small dose of Lexpro and seeing a therapist, so I am praying my life will change.

I guess I just wanted to reach out to anyone out there in this big world who is also experiencing anxiety due to their IBS. I will appericate any advice or information anyone can provide me.  Thank you for reading my words.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • rhonda19552
    rhonda19552 elishia27603

    Posted

    Hi firstly sending you a hug through the forum. I totally understand the anxiety

    I too am on lexapro as my nerves are frail at the moment as I had semonella 5 months ago and I'm still not right - I don't have much pain but have a lot of wind but not normal sttoalot of the time

    I don't really have diarrea either more ranging from soft stools pencil poop or small pieces. Recently getting tad bigger (you don't think I don't get excited when there's a small glimmer it might one day get back to normal)

    I'm freaking out it could be something else - so

    My anxiety is triplefold

    I can only suggest probiotics be careful of dairy wheat alcohol or too mantra sugars

    Goodluck try and relax if you can

    • mike95113
      mike95113 rhonda19552

      Posted

      ive. noticed is was 3 yr ago . how are u know . as everything we have written iam experiencing the same

  • diane79126
    diane79126 elishia27603

    Posted

    Hi El,

    Sorry to hear that. I have had issues since a child. And was diagnosed in my 20's. It was at bay till I

    Ate soft shell crab that caused a majore reaction. Now I am d Ali g with it on and off. I went off diary and gluten. But had some heady potatoes chips and it started again. So it's trial and error till you find the right formula. Good luck to you. And maybe try yoga to lessen anxiety.

  • Flik22
    Flik22 elishia27603

    Posted

    Hello, I recently wrote on this forum and think it is really helping sharing our symptoms and getting advice of people who know how you feel, it's lovely to know we are not alone!!

    I too suffer with terrible anxiety which interferes with my life, sometimes I don't leave the house when I have an attack as it triggers my bowels!!! I agree with starting a probiotic also breathing deeply to help with the anxiety ! I have found writing my feelings down in a journal helps too, i also write down my daily food / bowel habits(which is s lot!!!) to see if I can find any triggers!

    Always here if you need to chat

    Jo.x

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 Flik22

      Posted

      Hi agree Jo it's nice to share views unless like last night I went on another forum which someone was describing what her doctor said was colon cancer - I avoid sites to check things like that out cos it freaks me out especially when your not well in the bowel area.

      I had semonella 5 months ago and still can't do one solid large movement like I used too prior. It's more lots of pieces - sometimes smaller pieces sometimes pencil ones - and sometimes soft and mushy - sometimes I feel like I'm pushing something large out but it's only small (maybe that's something to do with dehydration?) I was thinking it was PI IBS - from having had the semonella (which was diagnosed by a stool sample) but I really don't have the classic symptoms of diarrea and cramps like most do. Is it just a combination of my bowel still in recovery or the anxiety and depression which makes me clench not only my stomach but my rectum?

      Any views would be good. I have no blood in my stools which is a good sign I would hope, can nerves just affect stools like that? I am keeping a good diary now to see if there's a pattern of when I have slightly looser motions. I'm off all diary limited wheat input - staying away from

      Most processed foods. I'm on a probiotic which helped initially with the bloating. Sorry for my rambling and graphic details - just good to write this down just to get it off my chest.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 rhonda19552

      Posted

      I have had ibs for some time but since i have developed anxiety and depression it has become worse.  I have been to see a dietician who recommends FODMAP diet ie no wheat or gluten but since ive been trying it i feel so anxious and think I might go mad.  I Am not sleeping well am

      nd take mirtazapine at low dose for that.  I also need diazepam for anxiety days. Sometimes when i have taken it i feel my brain is not working properly.  Just dont know what to do as i feel so much worse.  Everytime they give me an antidepressant it makes me sick and more anxious.  Is this all,just really anxiety or is there something else wrong with me.

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi I feel my anxiety is not helping - I tried 2 types of anti depressants and because I tried when I was first getting over the semonella it had shocking side effects, in the end I just knew I'd have to try another and put up with the side effects - my stress also was attributed because my younger sister was diagnosed with cancer and my mother was in hospital - so it was a matter of survival. Apart from about 4 days of feeling nauseous it did subside - they are helping a bit although because my bowels are still not 100 per cent that is holding me back.

      What type of ibs symptoms have you got? How did they conclude you had IBS? Any tests? I think if you stick to simple food it should help - greasy foods or carbonated drinks make it worse. I think trying to relax is the key but it's hard.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 rhonda19552

      Posted

      Hi, i have intermittent diarrhoea and nausea each morning which gets a bit better and can eat by 6pm.  Whh med helped you? Dr concludes its ibs as i have anxiety and depression. Endoscope clear. Simple food is my life. Trying low Fodmap diet now under dietitian. Hoping it will help.  Had gallbladder out last year and its worse since then which can hppen
    • elishia27603
      elishia27603 Flik22

      Posted

      Hi Jo,

      Thank you for replying to my post, I really appericate it! I too am getting to the point where I am scared to leave the house, because my anxiety triggers diarrhea. I take anti-diarrhea, however the anxiety still does not stop.  I am tonight going the furthest from home that i've been in weeks, so i'm praying I can keep my anxiety at bay. I give you SO much credit for keeping a journal, I always try to but can never keep up with it.

      What are some things that trigger your anxiety?

      Thank you for chatting with me.

      -Elishia.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.