Stress causing IBS

Posted , 7 users are following.

Although im not a stressful person, if anything goes wrong  i immediatley need the toilet.example:car wouldent start and i needed to be somewhere.within minutes i was running to loo and had  D.Doctor diagnosed  IBS ,the main problem being that my intastines go into spasm  causing the D.I live on immodium when i am on holiday. just packing and getting ready brings it on.I wont eat breakfast if i am going on a coach because they dont like you having more than a wee on the toilet but have had to at times.is there any meds i can take to relieve the stress and where do i get the card that says" I cant wait" if i am in a line for the toilet.I am sixty eight and have suffered for years.

2 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    I know exactly how you feel. It is exacabated when I am under stress or have an appointment I must keep, just as you said, although I can't get on with Immodium. I just do not eat anything much the day before the apoointmnet or have breakfast in the morning. Otherwise, like you, I am forever running to the toilet with diahrrea or the feeling it is coming on. I can sympothise with you on this one.  You say you are not a stressful person, but I think to some extent that you are. I even watch what I'm eating (small bland food) when I am going on a shopping trip the next day!  So I know how you feel!
    • Posted

      You are right.I dont feel stressed but my body says different.Also i do get d .when i eat certain foods. green veg,tomatoes and mushrooms.I cant drink fresh orange as it goes through me.Like you i dont eat unless i know theres a toilet handy when i go out.I  love cruises because of the close vicinity to toilets but have got on a shuttle bus and had to come back again because i need the loo. immodium only works if i take it every day whilst away as if taken too late can cause even more d. and can constapate for days which is very painful and uncomfortable.People dont appreciate how debilitating it can be.
  • Posted

    Welcome to the forum!

    With IBS there is a gut brain connection so unfortunately stress and nerves will activate spasms and cramps automatically. Even the thought of something stressful can send a person running or in my case start painful spasms. I have IBS -D and on rare occasions IBS-C. My doctor prescribed me Dicetel which i take twice a day. It defenitely helps. Taking too much immodium isn't good bc your body eventually gets used to it. Us IBS patients and our brain well we need to find relaxation techniques we can do day to day to help control our brain and gut. Deep breathing is good and sometimes tricking your mind. If you feel stressed acknowledge the fact you are worried and the end result might be going to the bathroom and be ok with it. Eventually the calming effects of tricking your brain will help. X best of luck. ibs sucks and its up to us to manage it as best we can!

    • Posted

      Thankyou for your comments. Im fine a lot of the time and quite laid back but am a worrier where my family is concerned but have always got stressed when problems arise. Considering my favourite saying is "its not the end of the world" im not a very good advert for it.I always think theres a lot worse i could have wrong with me.
  • Posted

    Hi, just wanted to send you sympathy and say that to obtain a Can't Wait Card you need to join the Crohns and Colitis UK group. Best of luck

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