dose anyone else suffer from severe anxiety with ibs like me

[Bennybean]

[Hidden]

I have just been diagnosed with ibs. For the last month I have been a complete mess in terms of mood and anxiety and I have just carried on but it's come to breaking point and I have been to the doctors in tears so many times, convinced I have cancer etc. she says it's ibs brought on by depression. Just don't know what to think. Pains all over sometimes my tummy is hard and sometimes it is soft. Runs then constipated. Trying to avoid antidepressants but I can't continue like this. Do you have similar symptoms?

[Trekkiegirl]

IBS can go hand in hand with anxiety. Having said that, both anxiety and digestive problems are also symptoms associated with menopause/perimenopause, which could also be a factor depending on your age - it certainly is with me!!! If you've got the runs the anxiety is made worse by the possibility of having an 'accident' as well. In my opinion, doctors are sometimes too quick to judge IBS as being the result of something else like depression or stress, when sometimes the opposite is true - we're stressed or anxious because we feel unwell! Avoiding antidepressants is all well and good, but if they're going to make you feel better, then take them. They're used in low doses for IBS anyway. I take 25mg of Amitriptyline every night; without it I'm a basket case, frankly!!

[ausems]

It's well known that anxiety can worsen IBS symptoms. The more you worry the more your stomach plays up, and the more that happens, the more you worry and it just becomes a vicious circle! After 10 years of IBS triggered (I think) by the traumatic death of my husband, every test and medication available - some of which helped for a time - I had 4 sessions of hypnotherapy earlier this year, and definitely found this helpful. Nothing seems to cure IBS but learning to relax and stop constantly worrying about my stomach was helpful, and the therapist gave me a relaxation CD so if I am feeling anxious or have a possibly stressful event coming up playing a few tracks from it calms me down. Also discovered through this helpful website a few weeks ago a product called Kolanticon and that really seems to be making a difference, so my GP has put it onto my repeat medication prescription. Not all chemists seem to stock it, but Lloyds Pharmacy were able to order it in for me.

Hope you find this information useful. Let me know how you get on. All good wishes to you.

[Hidden in reply to ausems]

I am having Reflexology at the moment and I have found that this helps to relax me.

[purrfectpaws02]

I am glad that other people suffer with anxiety, thought it was just be and it is true that more anxious you become the worse the IBS is, am in the procress of starting reflexology so am hoping this will help me and never used to be an anxious person and now stress out over the silliest things.

[pink87]

I have a long history mental health issues, including severe anxiety and depression. It has only been over the past year or so that I have developed IBS, but I have no doubt that it is my body's physical response to my mental health. I find that if I'm worrying over something and experiencing anxiety then my IBS will play up. It's taken a lot of discipline but I now use relaxation exercises including a visual relaxation recording, Classic FM (!!) and lavender oil to manage my anxiety. As well as prescription drugs - I have found Pregabalin to be highly effective in reducing (but not eliminating) my anxiety - I suffer far fewer panic attacks these days. Also I have found cutting out caffeine to be really effective.

[robrascal]

Anxiety certainly does link to ibs and is a vicious circle.as it is triggered both ways. I have had chronic ibs for a long time.sometimes it is more manageable than others. If you find any way of relieving your stress,either caused by another means,or by concern over ibs itself-then go for it. We all need to recognise where we are in it and then adopt the best remedy we find.It is not an easy answer as we all are individuals.sorry not to be able to help you more.

[Bennybean]

Thank you all very much for replying to my question some very good advice most helpful. Has I have noticed over the years it's a very difficult condition to deal with, with no real help form anybody.

[sezzy123]

Hello I just wanted to add that my ibs started as a teenager and all connected with anxiety do to my dad's being an alcoholic ive had ibs for thirty years and its been hell as its a vicious circle with the ibs and anxiety and both together ive been on low dose antidepressants and tried all sort but not wanting to take tablets more than I have to!! ive recently had a massive flare up one of the worst ive ever had and to cut a long story sort after numerous visit to specialist s I decided to try hypnotherapy its been all around relaxation and the subconscious and my nervous tummy and ive had four over the last few months and its definitely helping me to feel calmer not get so anxious which in turn helps my tummy I am definitely pleased and although its a work in progress I would definitely recommend it. Just Make sure you do your research and get a good hypnotherapist good luck and hope this helps someome