The mystery of anxiety aggravated IBS

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I've been diagnosed with anxiety aggravated .

The doctor said it's NOT food related.

But I can't work out which comes first, the anxiety or the IBS symptoms. I know one feeds the other.

I've tried all the usual IBS treatments, natural treatments, anxiety meds and psychological counseling. I've tried elimination diets and FODMAP eating plan.

I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy with clear results. I've been treated for helicobacter pylori and last year had my gallbladder removed.

No change. I still have IBS flare-ups. Mainly stomach cramps. Followed by anxiety, followed by IBS symptoms.

I continue to look at my diet and as the symptoms continue I eliminate more and more foods, in case they're the culprit.

I'm no longer anxious that the symptoms could be due to something more serious now that I've had all the tests and told it's 'just' IBS.

But I'm anxious that the symptoms will never leave and that I can't find any relief for them.

I'm really getting very depressed with waking up every morning to pain which last most of the day. Interesting is that anxiety and IBS symptoms usually disappear in the evening and appetite returns.

Reminding myself that I've had this many times before doesnt seem to jolt my mind into seeing reason.

Anyone else have this diagnosis and if so, how do you manage it?

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1 Reply

  • Posted

    im not as lucky as you to have reassurance, but my "IBS" is not food related either and most likely due to stress. ive just been sitting in my room the past year and just waiting for the medical system but im done with that. you just have to plan for the worst. maybe our symptoms will never get better, maybe ill end up having bowel cancer and die in a few years, but that doesnt matter. dwelling on it isnt helping anyone.

    start by going for a long walk EVERYDAY, get a routine going, get yourself in good physical shape, make sure youre working and making money, make sure you work toward a goal that will provide you with fufillment. just push through the pain and suffering because if all you want to remember is pain and suffering, then sitting around is what will do that for you.

    im trying to start working soon even though its hard to even move with these cramps but im just praying i can get my routine going and start doing productive things.

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