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

Something has just clicked! Maybe my symptoms are IBS

Posted , 3 users are following.

blodjer
blodjer

I've been having these problems for the last 12 years or so that have caused me a lot of worry and contributed to me not moving on in life for a long time.  The doctors never found anything wrong with me. 

They seemed to start when I was about 20 years old,  I'd been taking a lot of drugs, alcohol, and generally not looking after myself properly.  I turned myself into a nervous wreck and this seems to be when it started.

I get these weird sensations that I couldn't put my finger on but now I can describe it as a scratchy sort of tightness in my lower stomach and pelvic area where I can't relax.  It affects my genitals (penis, I'm a male), it would feel strange, a tight pulling sensation underneath, shrunken.  This would cause me great anxiety that there was something wrong down there.

The uncomfortable feeling would last for about 3 days to a week, gradually tapering off.

Not only that it would affect my nerves in my arms, legs, and all over really.  I would get noticable muscle spasms, tension in my head and my eyes would feel strained and look dilated.  I would worry that there was something wrong with my nervous system then too.  That I had damaged myself permanetly with all that I had done.  

Now I just think that this was all just sensations of anxiety feeding into the problems.

Over the years I have noticed paterns of things that trigger my symptoms. Back then I used to drink to self medicate as I used to get the problem pretty much every week.  I came to realise that alcohol triggered it, or maybe alcohol came to tigger anxiety that came to trigger it.  I know that drinking too much cola seems to trigger my symptoms.  If I have an important event coming up that I'm worried about, or that I worry about having the problem on the event, this seems to trigger it.  Also recently I have found a patern with doing too much strenuous execise without enough rest (I push myself too hard).

Over the years though, it doesn't seem to happen as much and the symptoms aren't as severe.  I put this down to lifestyle changes and improvement in health.  I don't drink alcohol at the moment, I don't smoke, I try to eat healthily and I exercise regularly.  I'm not as anxious or depressed (on going mental health problems) these days and I've learnt to relax more so maybe this helps.  

When it does happen though usually about every 1 or 2 months it really gets me down.  I feel like I can't go out and do the things I normally do, and when I do I feel ashamed that people can notice that there's something wrong with me as it's usually acompanied by this anxious feeling with my eyes looking glased and odd.  I get this gassy feeling and can't relax and sometimes panic.  I sometimes take valium and this eases the symptoms although I don't like doing this but I get so angry and frustrated.  I've just recently thought it may be IBS as my mother suffers from it and my brother has had problems with his stomach in the past due to stress

Sorry that I've gone on a bit but if anyone has taken the time to read this and can relate to any of it, I'd like to hear from you.  Thanks confused

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • cherl450
    cherl450 blodjer

    Posted

    hi there hun

    wow you have been through the mills and mayby you rough early years have lead to this it does sound like ibs do getbouts of running to the toilet alot and bouts were u want togo and empty bowl but you cant my advice is eat a health diet avoid the things you know that trigger it off also drink lots of water if you dont like plain water try flavored water have another chat with gp and realx hun no one can tell and start to enjoy life again

    all the best

    cherl xx

    • blodjer
      blodjer cherl450

      Posted

      Hey cherl,

      Thanks for taking time to read my story.  I don't get it where I need to rush to the toilet, it's more the opposite.  I do seem to need to urinate more often but sometimes I find this dificult because of all the tension. I am going to go back to the doctor to discuss matters futher as recently I had some blood tests done to investigate the matter but nothing came back. 

      Thank you for your advice and things are getting better with time.  I am hopeful.

      Cheers smile

    • cherl450
      cherl450 blodjer

      Posted

      Hi there hun

      the maby it could be a stone or something but from what you are saying mayby itsts not ibs have they done any Mri on your back and Brain ahev they done endyscope withtube down throat and the other one is upper bowl scope and also it might be worth themputting a camera up man hood i take it your a guy if not so sorry allthesestests need to be ruled out and that but wishing you all the best 

      Cherlxxx

    • blodjer
      blodjer cherl450

      Posted

      Hey again!

      I have had all sorts of investigations through the doctors in the past.  Blood tests, urine samples, I have had a scan on my brain, camera up the end of my thing eek.  Think I have had x rays on the area as well as ultrasound.  This was all a long time ago.  Just recently had a blood test to bring up the investigation again, doctor wanted to rule anything out there before investigaing futher, which needs to be done.

      Thank you for replying again smile  

  • cub22
    cub22 blodjer

    Posted

    Hey there,

    This definiatly seems more than just IBS and your habbits early on may have been a trigger.  Anxiety and stress etc will make any symptoms worse so trying to relax should help. I find that when im alone or 'trying to relax' however my mind wonders and i find myself getting worked up about things that arent worth stressing over and this sometimes triggers my ibs symtoms and panic attacks. So yes try and relax, but do things that take your mind off the issue (or as much as it can be). 

    I havent been on holiday in 4 years because of my issues, i dont even really like staying away from home not even for a night. But this year my boyfriend and I went to Corfu for a week. As sad as it sounds Ive never been so proud of myself. I ate meals out, went swimming, and out on daytrips etc. and obviously stayed away from home. These little things are nothing to some people, but are huge deals for people with IBS and similar issues. But what Corfu taught me is that I am in control of my IBS, yes i had some bad days there and some panicy moments, but I said to myself that if im going to have this problem them im going to live my life as best i can with it. Its not pleasant but it is what it is.... Basically want Im trying to say is try not to let it rule your life even if it alters it. Find something you want and go for it. I still have my IBS but that week away taught me I can let go slightly, I dont always have to be in control (of my food mainly) and as a result ive been able to calm myself down much better when i feel anxious and therefore feel i have a bit more control of my ibs. I still have a long way to go but am so proud of how far ive come already. I hope one day you can feel the same.

    I wish you all the best. x

    • blodjer
      blodjer cub22

      Posted

      Hey,

      Thank you for replying.  I can relate to this, I used to avoid doing things if I was having a bad spell, or more often I used to drink through it, which obviously made it worse.  These days, even if I have an episode I just try to get on with things like going to work.  I have just recently had a few events that I needed to attend (sporting and competition events),  I had these episodes during the events - probably brought on by anxiety but I got through and I was proud of myself for this.  I didn't give in and allow it to stop my life.  

      In the past the doctor has just put my problems down to anxiety and I have been under the mental health service for it going to CBT.  Didn't really help and I find it quite frustrating that something that feels so physical can just be put down to my mental health mad .

      Over the years though, I too have been learning to manage myself and try to calm myself.  I practice yoga now and I think this has helped me too.

      Thanks again and all the best to you too smile

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.